Federal Officials 

At the national level, government is divided into three branches — Legislative, Executive, and Judicial — each with distinct powers and responsibilities designed to ensure a balance of power.

  • The Legislative Branch includes the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, where lawmakers draft and pass the federal laws that govern our nation.

  • The Executive Branch is led by the President and includes the Vice President and Cabinet members who enforce laws and direct national policy.

  • The Judicial Branch is headed by the U.S. Supreme Court, which interprets the Constitution and reviews the legality of laws and executive actions.

Each of these branches plays a vital role in shaping national policies that directly affect life here in Harnett County — from healthcare and education to voting rights and environmental protections.

Let’s take a look at who represents us at the federal level and how you can stay connected.

Executive Branch
The President and Vice President are the only nationally elected members of the executive branch. Most other federal officials, like Cabinet secretaries, are appointed. These leaders manage departments that shape policies on issues like energy, defense, agriculture, and more.
 

Judicial Branch

The U.S. Supreme Court and the broader federal judiciary interpret the Constitution and federal law. Justices are nominated by the President, confirmed by the Senate, and serve for life. Their decisions influence national policy for generations.

The U.S. Supreme Court is designed to be an independent, nonpartisan branch of government. Justices do not campaign for office or run under a political party. However, because they are nominated by Presidents and confirmed by the Senate, their judicial philosophies often reflect the values of the administrations that appointed them.

Here are the current members of the Court (as of 2025), along with the President who nominated each justice:

Justice: Nominated by: Considered Leaning:

John G. Roberts, Jr. (Chief Justice)

 George W. Bush (R) Conservative / Moderate

Clarence Thomas

 George H.W. Bush (R) Conservative

Samuel Alito

 George W. Bush (R) Conservative

Sonia Sotomayor

 Barack Obama (D) Liberal

Elena Kagan

 Barack Obama (D) Liberal

Neil Gorsuch

 Donald Trump (R) Conservative

Brett Kavanaugh

 Donald Trump (R) Conservative

Amy Coney Barrett

 Donald Trump (R) Conservative

Ketanji Brown Jackson

 Joe Biden (D) Liberal

Read court opinions here. 

For more information, visit the Supreme Court of the United States' website. 

 

Legislative Branch

North Carolina is represented in Congress by two U.S. Senators and one U.S. House of Representative. These lawmakers vote on federal legislation that impacts every part of life, from healthcare and education to infrastructure and civil rights.

Click here for a directory of all United States Senators.

United States Senate

Senator Thom Tillis (R)

Term Expires: 2026

Voting Record

Website

310 New Bern Ave # 122
Raleigh, NC 27601
(P) 919-856-4630

113 Dirksen
Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
(P) 202-224-6342

North Carolina office locations include Raleigh, Charlotte, Greenville, Hendersonville, and Greensboro. The Senator also has an office in Washington, DC. 

Senator Ted Budd (R)

Term Expires: 2028

Voting Record

Website

333 Fayetteville St #1504
Raleigh, NC 27601
(P) 984-349-5061

304 Russell
Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
(P) 202-224-3154

North Carolina office locations include Advance, Asheville, Raleigh, and Wilmington. The Senator also has an office in Washington, DC.

United States House of Representatives 

Click here for a directory of all members of the House of Representatives.

Click here for a full list of House Representatives from the State of North Carolina. 

Congressman Brad Knott (R)
NC-13

Term Expires: 2027

Serves on the House Judiciary, Transportation & Infrastructure, and Homeland Security committees.

Voting Record

Website

1239 Longworth House Office Building
Washington DC 20515
(P) 202-225-4531

North Carolina office locations include Harnett and Granville Counties. The Congressman also has an office in Washington, DC. 

 

Party Balance in Congress (as of 2025)

Understanding the party makeup of Congress helps explain how legislation moves, or stalls, in Washington. In 2025, the Republican Party holds narrow control of both chambers of the 119th U.S. Congress, working alongside the current administration.

U.S. House of Representatives

  • Republicans: 220 seats

  • Democrats: 215 seats
    (218 seats are required for a majority)

With a slim majority, House Republicans must maintain party unity to pass legislation. Just a few votes can sway outcomes, making every member's vote especially significant.

U.S. Senate

  • Republicans: 53 seats

  • Democrats: 45 seats

  • Independents: 2 seats (both caucus with Democrats)

In the Senate, Republicans hold a 53–47 advantage. While this allows for confirming appointments and advancing certain policies, most major legislation still requires a 60-vote supermajority to overcome the filibuster, making bipartisan cooperation essential in many cases.

This balance of power shapes how federal laws are created and which policies move forward. For Harnett County residents, understanding this landscape helps connect local impact to national decision-making.