February 5, 2016
Congressman McHenry Weekly Update

A Bill to Help Families Save for Childcare


In recent years, Americans have seen the cost of everyday goods and services skyrocket while at the same time, their wages have stagnated. These new budget realities have posed challenges to many families both here in western North Carolina and across the country. This week, I introduced a new bill that aims to address those challenges. H.R. 782, the Family Care Savings Act, raises the cap on dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSA) from $5,000 to $10,000. The dependent care FSA can be used to save pretax dollars for expenses related to childcare and care for elderly parents or any other dependent. You can read more about H.R. 782 in the Gaston Gazette here or by clicking the image below.

 

A Great Pick for the High Court


On Tuesday evening, I had the honor of being in the East Room of the White House as President Trump made one of the most consequential decisions of his presidency when he selected Judge Neil Gorsuch to serve as the next Supreme Court Justice. It would be hard to find a more qualified judge to follow in the footsteps of the late Antonin Scalia. Judge Gorsuch is a strict originalist in the mold of Justice Scalia who was deemed 'unanimously well qualified' by the American Bar Association when he was confirmed to his current position on the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals. I commend President Trump on his selection and look forward to seeing Judge Gorsuch confirmed by the Senate and sworn in as our next Supreme Court Justice soon. Below are a couple photos I took while in the White House's East Room for Tuesday's announcement.

 

Much Needed Relief for Families & Small Businesses


The numerous regulations created by the Dodd-Frank Act have driven up costs and made credit less available for families and small businesses throughout western North Carolina. I've worked with my colleagues on the Financial Services Committee to repeal this broken law and replace it with financial reforms that actually reduce the costs of financial products for American consumers. On Friday, President Trump took important steps to further these efforts by signing an executive order that begins to provide relief from Dodd-Frank. He also signed an executive order delaying the Department of Labor's Fiduciary Rule which will drive up investment costs for the American people. You can read more about these important actions here via the Charlotte Observer or here in the Gaston Gazette. Additionally, you can see my full statement on Friday's actions below.

 

What I Have Been Reading

Community college educator named best in state

Gaston Gazette

Very high praise for Gaston College's Ashley Hagler who was recently named the best community college educator in the state. Hagler received the Excellence in Teaching Award from the NC Community College System which recognizes her as exemplifying the highest quality and standards of instruction in our state's community college system. Congratulations to Ashley! 


Senate votes to block Obama coal rule

The Hill

This week, the House passed five resolutions undoing Obama-era regulations that hurt jobs and limited the Constitutional rights of individual Americans using a law called the Congressional Review Act (CRA). The CRA allows Congress to undo regulations with a simple majority vote in both the House and Senate. Two of the five resolutions passed by the House have also been passed by the Senate and now await President Trump's signature. 

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GASTONIA DISTRICT OFFICE
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Gaston Co. Administrative Bldg
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Toll-Free in NC: 800.477.2576
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BLACK MTN. DISTRICT OFFICE
160 Midland Avenue
Black Mountain, NC  28711
Telephone: 828.669.0600

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