A Greensboro mother is calling out Republican U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx over a letter she said her son received from the congresswoman after a school assignment.
Emily Mango said her 10-year-old son was assigned to write a persuasive essay and send it to a changemaker. Her son decided to write to Foxx, urging the government to consider giving drivers a rebate for electric vehicle purchases. Mango said the topic was her son's choice.
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Mango said 82-year-old Foxx, who represents the northwestern parts of the state, wrote back to her son.
She posted a photo of what she said was the congresswoman's reply on Facebook. WRAL reviewed that post before Mango set it to private.
The letter reads in part:
"What many folks do not realize is that the money that 'comes from' the federal government actually comes from ordinary citizens who pay taxes to support that government. Therefore, your request that 'the federal government should give a $5,000 tax rebate for all new electric car purchases' means that the federal government must take that money out of the pockets of hardworking people who may not have the means to buy an electric vehicle in the first place."Rep. Virginia Foxx, in reply to 10-year-old's letter
In her letter, Foxx cited numerous articles from news organizations and criticized the boy's teacher, writing, "Please ask your teacher to explain propaganda to you. My guess is that your teachers will not give you a good educational experience and help you learn to think as they are too interested in indoctrinating you."
Mango called the letter "horrific" and addressed Foxx on Facebook, writing, "Reprehensible response. You crossed a line when you attacked a child and attacked teachers. You don’t deserve to be on a Committee for Education when you talk to children like this and think so lowly of teachers."
Fox8 in Greensboro reported that Mango's son was upset that his teacher was criticized, because his teacher did not pick the topic or write the letter.
Although the typed letter was signed "Virginia Foxx," Fox8 reached out to the congresswoman's office to ask if she wrote the letter or if it was a member of her staff. The news outlet also asked if Foxx plans to apologize for her letter.
So far, Foxx's office has not answered those questions.