113th Congress: George E.B. Holding, R-N.C. (13th District)

By Ellyn Ferguson, CQ Staff

George E.B. Holding thinks Congress has a six-year window of opportunity to tackle taxes and other policies he considers key to putting the nation on a solid fiscal path.

“I’m not afraid of the tax code,” Holding, a former tax lawyer, says.

He campaigned largely on cutting spending, the deficit and taxes; abolishing the Education and Energy departments; and passing constitutional amendments mandating congressional term limits and a balanced budget.

“You’re going to have to address the solvency of Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. To address the national debt, you have to address the size and scope of the federal government,” Holding says.

He plans to serve no more than eight years in Congress.

The Ways and Means Committee would seem to be an appropriate spot for him, but Holding has not indicated which committee assignments he will seek. He also has a strong interest in intellectual property issues that could affect the Research Triangle Park, home to more than 170 companies. It is located outside his district, although Holding says many of his constituents work there.

As U.S. attorney, Holding led the high-profile prosecution of John Edwards, a former Democratic presidential candidate and onetime senator from North Carolina, on charges of campaign finance fraud. Holding resigned in July 2011; 10 months later, a jury acquitted Edwards on one count and deadlocked on remaining charges.