Editing Lauch Faircloth (section)

=== 103rd Congress === 
[[File:Senators Faircloth, Dole, Helms, and Thurmond show their enthusiasm for the Carolinas' new football team -- The Carolina Panthers.jpg|thumb|right|Faircloth along with Senators [[Bob Dole]], [[Jesse Helms]], and [[Strom Thurmond]] show their enthusiasm for the Carolinas' new football team, the [[Carolina Panthers]]]]
Faircloth was sworn in as North Carolina's junior U.S. Senator on January 5, 1993.<ref>Varon, Elana (January 6, 1993). [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-herald-sun-faircloth-sworn-in-to-us/137761505/ Faircloth sworn in to U.S. Senate]. ''The Herald-Sun''.</ref> He joked that he wanted to be known as the ''conservative'' senator from North Carolina; in comparison to the state's other seat held by the arch-conservative Helms. <ref>{{Cite news |last=Achenbach |first=Joel |date=1994-08-03 |title=MR. CLINTON, THE BUS STOPS HERE |language=en-US |work=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1994/08/03/mr-clinton-the-bus-stops-here/e441d02b-3da8-4b3c-86ee-8fc55f17d3b6/ |access-date=2023-09-15 |issn=0190-8286}}</ref>

In his first two weeks in the Senate, Faircloth was appointed to serve on the [[United States Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works]], the [[United States Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs]], and the [[United States Senate Committee on Armed Services]].<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-faircloth-on-3rd/137844010/ Faircloth on 3rd committee]. ''The Charlotte Observer''. January 17, 1993.</ref> While on the Armed Service Committee, he opposed the inclusion of [[Sexual orientation in the United States military|homosexuals in the military]] and claimed the number of [[AIDS]]-infected people in the military would only increase if it were to happen.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-titusville-herald-somber-discussion/137845183/ Somber Discussion On Gays In Military]. ''The Titusville Herald''. [[Associated Press]]. January 23, 1993.</ref> He opposed the Clinton administration's "[[don't ask, don't tell]]" policy and said it was a result of President [[Bill Clinton]]'s lack of military experience.<ref name="w3tg4">Kasindorf, Martin (July 21, 1993). [https://www.newspapers.com/article/northwest-herald-joint-chiefs-back-don/137846041/ Joint Chiefs back 'don't ask, don't tell' policy on gays in armed forces]. ''Northwest Herald''.</ref> That remark was condemned by [[Colin Powell]], the [[chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff]], who said that, "it is unfair to single out the president in this regard".<ref name="w3tg4"/>

On the Environment and Public Works Committee, Faircloth sought to weaken anti-pollution measures regulating farms. He introduced a measure that would have lowered fines issued to farms that have polluted wetlands and proposed another measure that would have stopped the flow of federal money to [[Environmental monitoring|environmental monitors]]. The committee did not vote on either measure.<ref name="oergh34">[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-herald-sun-faircloth-takes-on-anti-p/138181729/ Faircloth takes on anti-pollution farming laws]. ''The Herald-Sun''. [[Associated Press]]. December 13, 1994.</ref> In 1994, the committee adopted a third measure by Faircloth – legislation that would have made it more difficult for farmers suspected of polluting to be taken to court – but it did not become law.<ref name="oergh34"/> Some claimed there was a [[conflict of interest]] in Faircloth's policy proposals, given that he was a farmer, but he claimed he was working to benefit all farmers and not just himself.<ref name="oergh34"/><ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/asheville-citizen-times-senator-seeks-ad/138183500/ Senator seeks advice from ethics committee]. ''Asheville Citizen-Times''. [[Associated Press]]. December 12, 1994.</ref>

In January 1994, Faircloth was among eight Republican senators to call for a congressional inquiry into the role President [[Bill Clinton]] had in the [[Whitewater controversy]].<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-8-gop-senators-d/137789596/ 8 GOP senators demand inquiry into Whitewater]. ''The Des Moines Register''. January 29, 1994.</ref> In February, he was the lone Senator on the Senate Banking Committee to vote against approving Ricki Tigert as head of the [[Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation]]. He argued that Tigert, who was appointed by Clinton, was not going to help uncover information in the investigation.<ref>Kaut, David (February 11, 1994). [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-herald-sun-faircloth-lone-dissenter/137790133/ Faircloth lone dissenter against new FDIC chief]. ''The Herald-Sun''.</ref> Later that year, ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' praised Faircloth's aggressive efforts to uncover information.<ref>Monk, John (June 26, 1994). [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-helms-backs-north/137786725/ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-helms-backs-north/137786725/#:~:text=Helms%20backs%20North%20for%20Senate%2C%20forgives%20any%20mistakes]. ''The Charlotte Observer''.</ref> In June 1994, he proposed amending the [[Housing and Community Development Act of 1992|House and Community Development Act]] to include a work-for-rent requirement, but it was voted down by Senate Democrats. Senator [[Carol Moseley Braun]] of [[Illinois]] argued that his plan was "dictatorial", and branded Faircloth as a [[communist]].<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-and-observer-democrats-stifle-f/137762865/ Democrats stifle Faircloth's idea of work-for-rent]. ''The News and Observer''. June 22, 1994.</ref>

Faircloth was often criticized for accepting thousands of dollars from several [[Political action committee|political action committees]], despite having criticized them during his 1992 Senate campaign.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/asheville-citizen-times-faircloth-once-s/137761946/ Faircloth once shunned PACs, now relies on them]. ''Asheville Citizen-Times''. May 31, 1994.</ref>