Chief Deputy Whip Patrick McHenry (R, NC-10) applauded House passage of S. 1698, the Treatment of Certain Payments in Eugenics Compensation Act. S. 1698 is the Senate companion to H.R. 2949 which Congressman McHenry introduced in July of 2015. Click here or on the image above to see Congressman McHenry's floor speech from earlier today in support of S. 1698.

"North Carolina's eugenics program is a sad part of the history of our great state," said Congressman McHenry. "While it is impossible to fully compensate those victimized at the hands of the state, this bill helps ensure these individuals are not again penalized. I'd like to thank my Senators, Thom Tillis and Richard Burr, and my House colleague G.K. Butterfield for working with me over the past 14 months to ensure this bill--which helps our constituents throughout North Carolina--becomes law." 

S. 1698, which originally passed the Senate by unanimous consent on November 30, 2015, passed the House of Representatives today via a voice vote. It now heads to President Obama's desk. 

BACKGROUND ON H.R. 2949: 

During the early decades of the 20th century, over 30 states implemented eugenics or compulsory sterilization laws which led to the mandated sterilization of more than 60,000 citizens. Those sterilized were overwhelmingly poor and were often unaware they were being victimized. At the time, North Carolina was known to have one of the most aggressive sterilization programs, with only two states having been known to sterilize more of their citizens.

In 2013, North Carolina passed legislation becoming the first state to compensate victims of forced sterilization. This legislation set aside $10 million in the state budget to compensate victims of the state's eugenics program. As of the beginning of 2015, more than 200 victims have been awarded approximately $20,000 each in compensation.   

H.R. 2949 was introduced to further assist victims of these programs by ensuring the payments victims receive do not count towards their eligibility for, or amount of, any benefits they receive from the Federal government. This includes Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (food stamps), unemployment, Supplemental Security Income, and any other Federal benefits.  

H.R. 2949's companion legislation in the Senate, S. 1698, was introduced by North Carolina Senators Thom Tillis and Richard Burr.