Rep. Virginia Fox (R-N.C.) has made her mark as a prominent figure in the House GOP throughout her 11 terms in Congress. She has accomplished this more through hard work and collaboration than through social media presence or attention-seeking antics.
Fox presents a tough exterior but also shows a softer side.
During a recent interview, the 82-year-old Rules Committee chair shared thoughts on various topics.
Who is your political hero?
“Mike Johnson believes he should be nominated for sainthood,” Fox remarked. “And I think it’s fantastic that President Trump is poised for a second term.”
Who’s Congress’ best friend?
“That might be a tricky one to answer. I worry that revealing this might help or hurt someone’s feelings,” Fox said. “I tend to be straightforward, though, and I appreciate the quieter individuals here.”
This is what a friend says:
“There’s truly only one Virginia Fox,” Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) remarked, recalling an early encounter at a freshman orientation. “I’ll never forget how she stood up and told the bus driver, ‘I’m going to close the door.’ Then she did, and the bus left, and my wife said, ‘You’d better look after her.’
Yet, Westerman noted a surprising contrast during a visit to her home. “You might picture this serious woman, and then you see her dog bouncing on the couch, totally opposite of what you’d expect from Virginia Fox.”
And this is what a political opponent says:
“She leads as a strong chair, and I think she’s been effective in that role,” said Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), ranking member of the House Rules Committee. “In those lengthy meetings, she’s always present. Tough, yes, but that’s part of her effectiveness.”
What’s your favorite food at the Capitol?
“I like food, but it’s not always the healthiest choice. I do drink a lot of coffee,” said Fox.
Was the markup for the ‘one big beautiful bill’ passed 22 hours after the first vote because of that coffee?
“Actually, I didn’t have coffee; I went for dark chocolate,” she clarified. M&M’s big bags lay around her office, half-eaten. “Steve Scalise joked about sending me Red Bull, but I said, ‘No, just chocolate.’ I’m really into dark chocolate.”
How do you feel about the populist surge in the Republican Party with Trump’s influence?
“I’m completely on board. I love being around people. When you talk to regular folks, they seem quite pleased with the way things are going in the country,” Fox expressed.
Do you have a favorite elevator?
“No,” she replied, chuckling.
What gives you hope for the future?
“We live in the greatest country in the world. If you reflect on how this nation was formed—” Fox began, pausing momentarily.
She continued, her emotions bubbling to the surface. “When I discuss this, it really hits me. The soldiers who risked it all for freedom. We have a remarkable opportunity to protect that freedom, knowing that those who came before didn’t have the same historical context.”
