Congressman Patrick McHenry is serving his ninth term as the representative for North Carolina's 10th Congressional District which comprises all or parts of eight counties in North Carolina, from the suburbs of Charlotte on Lake Norman to the Piedmont Triad region on the Virginia border.
In the 116th Congress, Congressman McHenry was elected as the Republican Leader of the House Financial Services Committee, a committee he has served on since he was elected to Congress. In the 117th Congress, he continues to serve as Republican Leader advocating for innovative solutions that increase access to banking services and credit for American families and small businesses.
Prior to serving as the Republican Leader, Congressman McHenry served as Vice Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, a position he was appointed to at the beginning of the 114th Congress by then Chairman Jeb Hensarling (TX-05).
Congressman McHenry is a strong supporter of law enforcement and the rule of law. He has pledged to oppose any bill, resolution, or movement to “Defund the Police.”
Congressman McHenry works closely with sheriffs and other law enforcement personnel from every county in the Tenth District, along with federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents and State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) agents to discuss solutions to the methamphetamine and opioid addiction problem in North Carolina. The Congressman supports stiffer penalties for drug dealers and traffickers, and better management of federal grants to assist the efforts of local law enforcement to eradicate this problem. Congressman McHenry supported increased funding for enforcement efforts to combat prescription drug abuse and is a member of the Congressional Caucus to Fight Methamphetamine, which works to stop the use and production of this dangerous drug.
Congressman McHenry also supported the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment (SUPPORT) for Patients and Communities Act. This legislation combats our nation’s opioid problem by teaching healthcare providers about addiction medicines, increasing and strengthening our medical workforce who specialize in addiction, and streamlining the delivery of addiction medicine. President Trump signed the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act into law on October 24, 2018 and hailed it as the “single largest legislative package addressing a single drug crisis in history.”
The role of the judicial branch of government is to interpret the law, not create it. That responsibility belongs to democratically elected representatives who are accountable to the American people. However, too often, activist judges continue to write public policy from the bench in defiance of the Constitution and against the will of the American people.
The United States has the most immigrants of any other country, with 44 million living in the nation today, and Congressman McHenry believes that this is a part of what makes America so great. He believes that the country should be welcoming for those who go through the immigration process to obtain legal residency.
However, while it is true that America is a nation of immigrants, it is also a nation of laws. Illegal immigration is a serious problem in the United States, with the number of illegal aliens growing each year. These illegal aliens stress infrastructure and programs designed to support American citizens. Throughout Congressman McHenry’s time in office, he has supported efforts to strengthen border control and security in order to stem the influx of illegal immigrants across our nation’s borders.
Congressman McHenry also believes we must reduce incentives for illegal immigrants to come here, which is why he introduced the No Free Rides Act. This legislation prevents illegal immigrants from accessing the Earned Income Tax Credit under President Obama’s illegal executive orders granting amnesty.
Granting any sort of amnesty to illegal aliens would only reward criminal behavior and further encourage the type of actions we are seeing along our borders. Many cities across the nation, including several in North Carolina, have enacted official sanctuary policies for illegal immigrants or have been refusing to comply with detainer requests from the Department of Homeland Security. Sanctuary cities allow dangerous criminal aliens to remain on the streets, creating a dangerous environment for citizens and law enforcement. Congressman McHenry is also a cosponsor of the Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act of 2019, which would allow victims of violent crimes and felonies committed by an illegal alien to sue the responsible sanctuary city or jurisdiction. McHenry has and will continue to support efforts to curtail the flow of illegal immigrants into our country and will not support any form of amnesty for illegal immigrants currently in the United States.
Now more than ever, quality education is vital to success in life. As our economy changes, we must provide the skills and training necessary to prepare today's workers and future generations for new technologies and developing industries.
Congressman McHenry has successfully helped increase federal investment in Western North Carolina's community college system. The Congressman also supports vocational training programs to help enhance workers' skills and marketability. A well-trained and well-educated workforce will help attract new businesses and jobs to Western North Carolina.
The federal government can play a role in education, but schools should be controlled to the greatest degree possible at the local level. Congressman McHenry cosponsored the A PLUS Act, which would allow states to opt out of federal education requirements. The states would then receive their federal education funding as block grants, and use them to tailor educational experiences to local students’ needs, rather than mandates from Washington, D.C.
Congressman McHenry supports innovative education reform ideas, such as charter schools and vouchers, as he believes the government should not be a hindrance to what is best for a child’s education and development. He believes that parents should have the ability to move their child from an under-performing school to an educational institution of their choosing.
He introduced the Empowering Parents to Invest in Choice Act to give parents the opportunity to save for their children's education in the popular 529 and Coverdell tax-free savings accounts. His bill would also help expand access to important educational resources like books, tutors, or special needs services by allowing 529 and Coverdell savings accounts to be used for these purposes.
As a strong supporter of home schooling, McHenry is working to protect the rights of those who wish to teach their children at home.
Congressman McHenry appreciates the natural beauty of the United States, and western North Carolina is home to some of America’s most breathtaking scenery. It is important to provide adequate protections for our natural treasures.
Congressman McHenry helped to pass legislation to permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and was a strong supporter of the Great American Outdoors Act. This legislation fully funds the LWCF and provides $9.5 billion over five years to repair and maintain our national parks. Congressman McHenry was proud to vote in support of this bipartisan initiative to safeguard funding for our nation’s public outdoor facilities and provide recreational opportunities to all Americans. President Trump signed the Great American Outdoors Act into law on August 4, 2020.
Finally, Congressman McHenry believes that the culture of the Environmental Protection Agency must be reformed so that it works to help businesses and individuals comply with regulations instead of strictly acting in a punitive manner and working to put good people out of business. Congressman McHenry supports common sense measures where business, government agencies, and citizens work together to address local concerns and comply with environmental regulations.
The federal budget has been mismanaged for too long. Under President Obama, the already staggering national debt ballooned from $10 trillion to nearly $20 trillion. The current national debt stands at nearly $23 trillion, mortgaging our children’s future.
Believing that government can simply spend its way back to prosperity is dangerously simplistic and misguided. We must cut spending to ensure future generations are not saddled with debt.
As a former member of the House Budget Committee, Congressman McHenry supports a fiscally responsible approach to budgeting. We should cut, save, and incentivize economic growth instead of the usual tax, spend, and borrow approach. Congressman McHenry believes we should have a budget that slows discretionary spending and prioritizes investment in projects that truly stimulate economic growth. We must also ensure that our budget is balanced, does not raise taxes, or cut veterans’ health care and defense programs. The government watchdog group, Citizens Against Government Waste, rates Patrick McHenry as a "Taxpayer Hero."
Congressman McHenry has supported an American energy policy that is balanced between conserving energy, investing in alternative energy sources, and continuing to use America’s abundant energy resources. One day, America will be powered by alternative energy—and Congressman McHenry is working to make that happen—but until then, we must use American oil and natural gas to power the American economy and bring down energy costs for American families.
McHenry has been a tireless supporter of western North Carolina’s growing solar energy industry. North Carolina is the second largest producer of solar energy in the United States and the Tenth District is home to seventeen solar energy companies, ranging from development to production. The Congressman supported the extension of the Investment Tax Credit for solar technology, which was included in the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018. In recognition of his work, the Solar Energy Industry Association honored Congressman McHenry with their Solar Champion award.
Congressman McHenry supports utilizing America’s abundant resources, while continuing to invest in alternative energy. McHenry supported the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which has resulted in lower energy costs for consumers across the Tenth District. Duke Energy, the state’s largest energy provider, outlined a plan to pass along the savings from the new tax to North Carolina customers in ways that will lower bills in the near term and help offset increases in the future.
Additionally, Congressman McHenry is a cosponsor of several bills which seek to improve our environment. The Energy Sector Innovation Credit Act of 2019 offers investment and production tax credits for emerging and innovative energy technologies, which includes energy storage technology. This legislation will incentivize companies to produce clean, carbon-reducing energy across multiple industries. McHenry is also a cosponsor of the Better Energy Storage Technology (BEST) Act. The BEST Act makes great strides in revolutionizing energy storage and U.S. electricity markets by updating grid scale technologies, which will make grid storage more widely available. Finally, the Congressman is also a cosponsor of the USE IT Act. The USE IT Act would provide the EPA with funds to promote the research and development of carbon capture technology.
Congressman McHenry supports a plan that would invest the flood of new revenue from oil shale drilling, also known as “fracking,” into the development and practical applications of alternative energy sources like solar, wind, nuclear, and hydroelectric. America’s reserves of oil shale are larger than the oil reserves of Saudi Arabia, Iran, Venezuela, Iraq, Mexico, and Russia combined. This approach would lower energy costs in the short run and make America energy independent in the long run. A comprehensive energy policy of this type would create millions of new jobs in the energy sector. Congressman McHenry is against any efforts to ban the practice of fracking as it would lead to astronomical increases in energy prices and millions of job losses across the United States.
Congressman McHenry believes that every American should have access to quality and affordable healthcare. However, a government-rationed healthcare system is not the answer. Healthcare decisions should be made by patients and their doctors, not government bureaucrats. Government set price controls are dangerous, as it threatens innovation and harms patients’ ability to access medicine and the health care of their choice. Congressman McHenry believes in reforms that make health care more affordable, accessible, portable, and personal for all Americans.
Congressman McHenry supports the establishment of Association Health Plans, which would allow small businesses that could not otherwise afford health insurance to band together and purchase insurance as a group so that more working Americans have access to health insurance. This would make healthcare coverage more affordable and accessible for workers
Congressman McHenry also believes that all Americans should have access to tax favored health plans, such as Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Savings Accounts (FSAs). An HSA is a tax-exempt savings account designed to cover qualified medical expenses. However, only those with a high deductible health plan are currently eligible to participate. Congressman McHenry believes that all Americans should have access to the benefits of these types of plans, giving access to preventative and health care services that they may not otherwise be able to afford.
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Congressman McHenry supported workers serving on the front lines. He voted for the CARES Act, which among many other things, established the Provider Relief Fund. Through this program, the Department of Health and Human Services will distribute $175 billion to hospitals and health care providers for health-care related expenses or losses due to the pandemic. This includes almost $900 million already allocated to North Carolina providers.
Lawsuit abuse is putting many doctors out of business and increasing the cost of healthcare for everyone. Some counties in the mountains of North Carolina now have no doctors practicing obstetrics because they cannot afford insurance premiums. Lawsuit abuse needs to be reformed, including capping jackpot jury awards on non-economic damages and limiting what trial lawyers take from injured patients.
Congressman McHenry is the Ranking Member of the House Financial Services Committee, which deals with legislation related to banking, insurance, real estate, and other issues. From this position, Congressman McHenry works to protect consumers and business owners from onerous regulations and policies that would hurt their ability to access and grow capital. Congressman McHenry has had multiple bills signed into law to help America’s entrepreneurs and small businesses get access to capital, including: the JOBS Act, the RAISE Act, and the Supporting America’s Innovators Act.
One of Congressman McHenry’s top priorities is continuing to help rebuild the economy of western North Carolina. Bad trade deals have led to significant job losses in our region. During his tenure, McHenry has voted against every unfair trade deal that sent American jobs overseas.
As textile, furniture, and other manufacturing jobs have moved away, workers find themselves in need of retraining for a new career field. The North Carolina Community College System is the number one tool we must use to help displaced workers get marketable skills and pursue a new career. Congressman McHenry works closely with local community college officials to see that worker retraining programs are adequately funded. He believes that having a well-trained workforce is necessary to create a business climate that will attract new employers to western North Carolina.
To help spur economic growth and job creation, Congressman McHenry supported the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which allows western North Carolinians to keep more of their hard-earned paychecks and prevents American jobs, corporate headquarters, and research from moving overseas. He has also supported House Republican’s use of the Congressional Review Act to remove overburdensome, job-killing regulations imposed by federal agencies through appropriate legislative review.
The primary responsibility expressly outlined for the federal government in the Constitution is providing for the national defense. Congress faces no greater duty than ensuring that members of our armed forces have the training, equipment, and funding necessary to protect citizens of the United States and our interests abroad.
America faces rising security challenges on multiple fronts, including the re-emergence of strategic competitors like Russia and China; the nuclear ambitions of Iran and North Korea; instability across the Middle East; and the critical need to continually pressure terrorist groups, including ISIS and Al Qaeda.
Congressman McHenry has consistently voted to provide our troops with the resources and support they need. Years of budget cuts have seriously impaired the readiness of the United States military. That is why the Congressman supported the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act, which helps restore readiness and provides additional assistance to military families. He also voted to provide our troops with a 3.1% pay increase, their largest in a decade.
Congressman McHenry believes Israel is one of our most sacred allies, and, as the only democracy in the Middle East, we must support their security. As Ranking Member of the House Financial Services Committee, he consistently works to combat the hateful Boycott, Divest, and Sanctions (BDS) movement that has been employed to delegitimize and isolate the state of Israel. Congressman McHenry is also a strong supporter of the memorandum of understanding which provides $38 billion in foreign aid to Israel over ten years.
The United States has always been a compassionate nation that cherishes innocent human life at all stages of development, from conception to natural death. Tragically, judicial activists on the Supreme Court manufactured an interpretation of the Constitution allowing abortion in the 1973 case of Roe v. Wade, resulting in the death of millions of unborn children every year.
McHenry is a champion of pro-life causes in the House of Representatives and will fight to foster a culture of life for all Americans. This includes defending the ban on partial birth abortion, fighting any effort to legalize euthanasia, and supporting efforts to reduce abortions and increase adoptions. The National Right to Life Committee has recognized Congressman McHenry’s work to protect the unborn with a lifetime score of 100 in addition to maintaining an “A” rating from the Susan B. Anthony List.
Congressman McHenry is a cosponsor of the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, which makes it illegal for a physician to perform or attempt to perform an abortion after 20 weeks; and the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, which would outlaw infanticide by guaranteeing that babies who survive abortions are afforded the same degree of lifesaving medical care as children born alive at the same gestational age.
Even as our nation continues to suffer the effects of COVID-19, the Congressman is steadfast in his support for the sanctity of life. He was proud to co-sponsor the Protecting Life in Crisis Act, which ensures the protections set forth in the Hyde Amendment are applied to future COVID-19 legislation in order to prohibit federal funds from going toward elective abortion services.
Congressman McHenry believes marriage, family, and community are not just catchphrases; they are the backbone of American society. Sadly, there are organized efforts by the radical left and growing “cancel culture” to destroy our traditional American culture. America is an inclusive nation and we respect other cultures and traditions, but we must defend what is sacred and unique to America. Due to his defense of traditional values, the Family Research Council previously presented Congressman McHenry with its "True Blue" Award.
Congressman McHenry strongly supports the Second Amendment to the Constitution. He has continually defended the rights of law-abiding citizens to purchase, use, and keep personal firearms. Congressman McHenry is also a proud member of the National Rifle Association (NRA).
Congressman McHenry introduced legislation in the 114th Congress that would stop the Obama Administration from implementing a ban on popular ammunition. His bill, H.R. 1365, The Ammunition and Firearms Protection Act, prohibited the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives from banning popular types of AR-15 ammunition that millions of sportsmen and enthusiasts use.
Congressman McHenry also co-signed an amicus brief submitted to the U.S. Supreme Court concerning the District of Columbia's gun ban. The Court's ruling shared the view of Congressman McHenry that the right to bear arms is, in fact, an inalienable individual right.
Gun control laws only endanger honest citizens. Criminals are not deterred by additional rules and regulations prohibiting gun ownership. Strict enforcement of existing law and stiff penalties for offenders is the key to reducing gun violence in the United States.
Congressman McHenry is currently a co-sponsor of legislation that will protect and promote Second Amendment rights, including the U.S. Military Right to Carry Act, Firearm Lockbox Protection Act of 2019, and the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, allowing for concealed carry reciprocity among states.
Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy, creating more than 70% of all new jobs in the United States. Congressman McHenry considers himself fortunate to have grown up in a household where he watched and learned as his parents built their business from the ground-up. Prior to serving in Congress, McHenry was a small businessman and understands the issues that affect the success or failure of these ventures. As Ranking Member on the House Committee on Financial Services, the Congressman continually seeks to support policies that will help small businesses thrive and foster new ideas.
Building upon his legacy as author of the original bill to legalize investment-based crowdfunding, which made it easier for businesses to raise capital and was included in the JOBS Act, Congressman McHenry introduced the Crowdfunding Amendments Act to raise the asset threshold for both established small businesses with consistent revenues and start-ups with the potential for growth. This legislation assists small businesses in gaining access to the capital needed to create jobs and spur innovation.
Small businesses are also impacted by the rising cost of providing health care to employees. Congressman McHenry supports common-sense solutions to offer alternative healthcare options for small businesses. During the 115thCongress, McHenry helped to pass the Small Business Health Fairness Act, which sought to provide more affordable health care options through Association Health Plans.
While lawsuit abuse increases the cost of healthcare, it also puts small businesses at risk of being named in frivolous lawsuits. As a result, small businesses are less willing and able to provide benefits and job security to employees.
Federal regulations are tilted in favor of big corporations, making it virtually impossible for small businesses to compete with larger entities. These small businesses need help, not complex regulations that make compliance expensive and time-consuming. Only by leveling the playing field can we help small business grow, prosper, and create jobs. That is why Congressman McHenry fully supports the Trump Administration’s efforts to roll back harmful regulations that are overly burdensome on small businesses.
It is equally important to note that we are living through an extraordinarily difficult time where the adverse effects of COVID-19 are being felt in every facet of society. Small businesses are under great stress and many, through no fault of their own, were forced to close their doors permanently. As a result, Congress passed multiple pieces of legislation aimed at mitigating the economic damage.
The Payroll Protection Program (PPP), which was created as a part of the CARES Act and supported by Congressman McHenry, has been successful in providing immediate aid to affected businesses. In order to provide these loans to businesses around the country, the CARES Act allocated $349 billion to the Small Business Administration (SBA) specifically for PPP. As a modified version of the SBA’s 7(a) loan program, PPP offered federally guaranteed loans for small businesses to pay their employees and operating expenses during the COVID-19 pandemic. If the loan was used for maintaining original employment levels, along with other predetermined costs, then the loan is eligible to be completely forgiven.
McHenry and his colleagues in Congress realized more funding would need to be allocated to PPP following its quick depletion mere days after applications first opened. In response, the Congressman supported the passage of the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act to increase the overall funding for the PPP loan program by $310 billion. Specifically, $60 billion will be dedicated solely to small lending institutions.
As businesses fight to stay open, Congress has a duty to enact bipartisan solutions that will aid local economies to further our nation’s recovery. More than ever, small businesses are struggling to access capital in the uncertain marketplace. In March 2020, McHenry introduced the Relief for Small Businesses Through Micro-Offerings Act and Crowdfunding to Combat the Coronavirus Act. Micro-lending has a demonstrated track record for providing much-needed capital to entrepreneurs—often women and minorities—in underbanked communities, helping them start and grow their businesses.
Small businesses are, and remain, the backbone of our economy and a tenant of the American dream. Congressman McHenry believes Congress can rebuild our economy through regulatory reform and pro-growth policies. Americans have done this before and can do so again.
Congressman McHenry believes that every older and middle-aged American must receive the Social Security benefits to which they are entitled.
Social Security has served Americans well for generations, and we must take proper steps to ensure that the program remains solvent for future generations. But the program that was designed in 1935 is broken, and unless Congress acts Social Security will be in serious trouble. In the 1950s, there were 16 workers supporting every retiree on Social Security. Currently, there are less than 2.8 workers per retiree, and when the baby boomers retire, there will be only two workers supporting every Social Security recipient.
As the program currently exists, the trust fund for Social Security will be depleted in 2035. McHenry believes in transforming and modernizing the Social Security system—as many industrialized countries have done—to allow younger workers to place a portion of their Social Security taxes into a nest egg that they can pass on to their children and grandchildren. Just like federal workers invest their pensions into safe market options, younger workers should be able to do the same. This will keep the system solvent for decades to come. In previous years, the 60 Plus Association presented Congressman McHenry with its "Guardian of Seniors' Rights" award for his efforts to protect Social Security.
Congressman McHenry believes in lowering the tax burden on American workers, families and small businesses. As a Member of Congress, and previously as a State Representative in North Carolina, he has never voted for a tax increase. That is why McHenry supported the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act signed into law by President Trump in December of 2017.
Before the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the U.S. tax code was outdated and far too complicated, which penalized working families and small businesses. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act simplified the tax code by closing special-interest loopholes and consolidating deductions. The bill reduces taxes on lower and middle-income families by cutting income tax rates, significantly expanding the Standard Deduction, and expanding the Child Tax Credit, allowing families to keep more of their hard-earned paychecks. The Tax Cuts and Jobs act also helps working families by improving savings vehicles for retirement and education.
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act also helps create jobs across America, including right here in western North Carolina. The bill reduces offshoring by removing incentives for jobs, headquarters, and research to move overseas. It also reduces the corporate tax rate, to 21%, from 35%, and delivers significant tax relief to small businesses by allowing them to write off purchases of new equipment and training for their workers. We have seen the benefits of this here in North Carolina’s Tenth District, with rising wages and many companies giving out additional bonuses as a direct result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
Congressman McHenry has also been recognized as a "Hero of the Taxpayer" by Americans for Tax Reform.
Few issues are more important to Western North Carolina than U.S. trade policy. International trade must be fair. When a foreign country’s industries export goods to the United States, we must require that they allow our American industries to have access to their markets. Otherwise, the only thing we ship overseas are American jobs.
Previous trade agreements, like the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), have been disastrous for North Carolina manufacturing industries, such as textiles and furniture. When NAFTA went into effect in 1994, the hope was that new markets for American products would be opened in Mexico and that increased trade would benefit both countries. Instead, many Mexican markets remained closed and cheap Mexican labor stole American jobs. North Carolina was hit harder than any state, losing over 200,000 jobs.
That is why Congressman McHenry supported President Trump’s efforts to renegotiate and ratify the U.S. – Mexico – Canada Agreement (USMCA), a vast improvement for manufacturing in Western North Carolina. Specifically, the new, stand-alone chapter for textiles and apparel and stronger rules for customs enforcement in the USMCA agreement will benefit the many businesses across the Tenth District involved with the textile industry.
For too long, China has been allowed to take advantage of weak enforcement of US trade law to the detriment of our interests and businesses. Congressman McHenry also supports President Trump’s efforts to crack down on China’s unfair trade practices, including intellectual property theft, forced technology transfers, illegal currency manipulation and dumping of foreign products priced well below fair market value in the US.
In order to combat China and their dominance in the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) market, McHenry introduced H.R. 7841 – The American PPE Supply Chain Integrity Act. This legislation mandates that any PPE bought by the federal government be wholly sourced and made within the United States. This will ensure our PPE supply is not reliant on a geopolitical adversary who has a proven record of cheating on trade.
Congressman McHenry is also a champion of the Berry Amendment, which mandates that our military procure American made uniforms and textiles which supply our service men and women.
He has been a tireless supporter of the Trade Adjustment Assistance program, which helps workers who lose their jobs to trade get back on their feet.
One of the key components of economic investment, development, and growth is adequate infrastructure, including roads and highways. Western North Carolina's infrastructure projects have historically been underfunded by the state and federal government.
Congressman McHenry has worked to secure federal funding for infrastructure projects in the Tenth District, including $661,333 to fund construction on Highway 321, $2.4 million to help fund construction of Highway 74 Bypass, $1.3 million to complete the new Highway 16, and $800,000 to fund construction of Highway 150. In 2018, Congressman McHenry assisted the City of Hickory in obtaining a $17 million RAISE Grant, which will be used to make the city’s infrastructure more accessible to bikes and pedestrians.
Today, many rightly view broadband networks as basic critical infrastructure. Congressman McHenry has worked to bridge the “digital divide” that exists in many rural areas of our country, including Western North Carolina. He is a cosponsor of the RURAL Act of 2019, which was signed into law in 2019 as part of a government funding bill. This legislation would encourage infrastructure development by maintaining tax-exempt cooperative organizations’ access to government grants, including funding to expand rural broadband. Western North Carolina’s communities, businesses, and citizens benefit greatly from the expansion of high-quality broadband access, and Congressman McHenry will continue to fight to ensure that his constituents have access to this critical infrastructure.
North Carolina is a donor state – meaning we send more money to Washington, D.C. through federal fuel taxes than we receive back in federal funding. Congressman McHenry is fighting to increase the minimum guarantee from the federal government to North Carolina – thereby increasing the potential funding for road projects in Western North Carolina.
A Veterans Administration (VA) clinic in Hickory, NC was first proposed in 1992 to improve the quality of health care for veterans of the Tenth District. Upon arriving in Congress in 2005, Congressman McHenry built bipartisan support to cut the bureaucratic red tape that had stalled the project for years. McHenry brought the Secretary of Veterans Affairs into his office to make the case for expediting a VA clinic in Hickory, NC.
With relentless pressure and persuasion, the clinic was finally approved and opened its doors on June 4, 2008. In its first phase, the VA clinic was serving 5,500 local veterans and was staffed by 39 full-time health care personnel and 5 primary care physicians.
The Hickory CBOC moved to a larger facility (23,000 Sq. Ft.) on Tate Blvd in June of 2010. The Clinic serves 8,600 veterans with 69 full-time staff. The staff includes eight providers in primary care, eight providers in mental health, two providers for eye care, two providers in audiology, one provider for home-based primary care, and features an on-site lab.
Congressman McHenry was recognized by the North Carolina Chapters of the American Legion and Marine Corps League for his work in getting the Hickory VA clinic opened.
Additionally, Congressman McHenry has worked tirelessly to end the systemic crisis facing the VA. He supported and helped pass the VA CHOICE Act to offer non-VA care at the Department’s expense to qualified veterans, and later worked to help fix the problems with the Choice program through the bipartisan VA MISSION Act, which Congressman McHenry supported. The bill strengthens and improves the VA healthcare system for the benefit of our nation’s veterans, while streamlining its community care programs to ensure timely and quality care. It consolidates the Choice Program with other VA community care programs into a single, permanent Veterans Community Care Program and expands community care eligibility to ensure that the decision to seek care outside of the VA will be between the veteran and his or her doctor. The bill also expands the Family Caregiver Program to pre-9/11 vets, which was heavily advocated for by Veteran Service Officers in Western North Carolina.
The House of Representatives also passed the VA Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act in the 115thCongress to establish a streamlined process to remove VA employees for poor performance and the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act to modernize the VA’s broken appeals process and reduce backlog. Congressman McHenry supported both measures, which were later signed into law by President Trump.
Congressman McHenry has supported a number of legislative efforts to improve the lives of our nation’s veterans. While Social Security benefits are automatically adjusted for a cost-of-living (COLA) increases, legislation must be enacted annually to do so for VA beneficiaries. The Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2019, was passed by the House and signed into law on September 26, 2019. This legislation increases the COLA for veterans with service-related disabilities and the spouses, dependents, or survivors of disabled veterans receiving compensation from the VA. Other bills that McHenry helped pass include the Forever GI Bill to extend and improve the Post-9/11 GI Bill for veterans, surviving spouses, and dependents. He has also supported bills to address alternative forms of therapy for anxiety and PTSD, provide job training for careers in the STEM field, and assist veteran-owed small businesses.
Furhtermore, McHenry believes the epidemic of suicide among veterans is unacceptable and more can be done by the VA to combat this problem. That is why he cosponsored the Clay Hunt SAV Act, which included some of the most significant reforms to veterans’ mental health Congress has ever passed.
Congressman McHenry is a vocal and effective advocate for traditional values. In fact, the non-partisan National Journal publication rated Patrick McHenry as sharing the most conservative voting record in Congress on family values issues. The Family Research Council presented Congressman McHenry with its "True Blue" Award for his defense of traditional values.
Marriage, family and community are not just catch phrases; they are the backbone of American society. Sadly, however, there is an organized effort by the radical left to destroy our traditional American culture. America is an inclusive nation and we respect other cultures and traditions, but we must defend what is sacred and unique to America.
Few issues are more important to Western North Carolina than U.S. trade policy. International trade must be fair: When a foreign country’s industries export goods to the United States, we must require that they allow our American industries to have access to their markets. Otherwise, the only thing we ship overseas are American jobs.
That is why Congressman McHenry voted against the Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA). As a freshman Member of Congress at the time, Patrick McHenry withstood tremendous pressure from his party and corporate lobbyists to vote against CAFTA. He was one of only 27 Republicans to do so.
CAFTA and previous trade agreements like the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) have been disastrous for North Carolina manufacturing industries like textiles and furniture. When NAFTA went into effect in 1994, the hope was that new markets for American products would be opened in Mexico and that increased trade would benefit both countries. Instead, many Mexican markets remained closed and cheap Mexican labor stole American jobs. North Carolina was hit harder than any state, losing over 200,000 jobs and counting.
In the ongoing Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations, Congressman McHenry has worked tirelessly with North Carolina’s textile, furniture, and other manufacturers and the United States Trade Representative to ensure that they receive fair treatment. If TPP puts Western North Carolina industry and workers at a disadvantage, Congressman McHenry will not support it.
He has been a tireless supporter of the Trade Adjustment Assistance program, which helps workers who lose their jobs to trade get back on their feet.