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April 15, 2009
U.S. Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C. 10th District, will speak at the Tax Day Tea Party on the Old Courthouse Square in Morganton.
The event starts at noon Wednesday. The rally will give local taxpayers an opportunity to exercise their freedom of speech in an event inspired by the Boston Tea Party of 1773. The Burke County Property Owners & Taxpayers Association and other groups are organizing the Tax Day Tea Party in Morganton. "Taxpayers fed up with the spending and tax increases happening in Washington will be holding hundreds of similar protests across the country," noted McHenry's spokesman and communications director Brock McCleary. For more information on the National Tax Day Tea Party, visit its Web site at www.taxdayteaparty.com.
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April 02, 2009
President Barack Obama has chosen Robert M. Groves to be the next census director, turning to a professor who has clashed with Republicans over the use of statistical sampling to lead the high-stakes head count. The White House will announce the selection of Groves later Thursday, a Commerce Department official told The Associated Press. The official demanded anonymity because the individual was not authorized to speak before the announcement. Groves is a former Census Bureau associate director of statistical design, who served from 1990-92. He has spent decades researching ways to improve survey response rates. If confirmed by the Senate, he will take the helm less than a year before the decennial count, which has been beset by partisan bickering and will be used to apportion House seats and allocate billions in federal dollars. House Republicans quickly expressed dismay Thursday over the selection of Groves, saying Obama's choice raised serious questions about an "ulterior political agenda." "The fight to protect the accuracy and independence of the 2010 census has just begun," said Rep. Patrick McHenry of North Carolina, the top Republican on a House subcommittee overseeing the census. "President Obama has made clear that he intends to employ the political manipulation of census data for partisan gain." Continue reading here: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/first100days/2009/04/02/obama-taps-robert-groves-census-director/
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March 14, 2009
THUMBS UP to the Department of Veterans Affairs Mid-Atlantic Health Care Network for opening a new community-based outpatient clinic in Hickory to replace the old clinic. A groundbreaking for the new clinic was held Friday. Congressman Patrick McHenry deserves much of the credit for bringing the clinic to Hickory and has kept his promise to look out for our veterans. Upon completion, the 23,000-square-foot clinic will provide outpatient primary care, mental health, optometry and dental services. Its service area includes Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Iredell and Lincoln counties. VA officials say the clinic will improve access to outpatient care for veterans in this area of western North Carolina.
Read full editorial here: http://www2.hickoryrecord.com/content/2009/mar/14/thumbs-thumbs-down/news-opinion/
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March 01, 2009
Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-10th, kept up pressure on the Obama administration this week over the 2010 Census after the president nominated former Washington Gov. Gary Locke as Commerce secretary. Obama had chosen Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H., for the post. But Gregg decided to step aside after the White House indicated that it -- not the Commerce Department -- would directly oversee the 2010 Census. Before Gregg dropped out, McHenry, the top Republican on a subcommittee that oversees the census, helped inflame the dispute by publicly questioning the White House's decision. And last week, he sent a letter to Locke asking questions that McHenry hopes will come up at Locke's confirmation hearing in the Senate. "Do you intend to comply with the partisan ambitions of the President or to fulfill your constitutional obligation as Secretary of Commerce and oversee a fair and accurate 2010 Decennial Census?" McHenry wrote.
Posted by
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January 12, 2009
Laurels to 10th District U.S. Rep. Patrick McHenry, who this week announced the next stage in plans for the Hickory region’s veterans service clinic. News that the Department of Veterans Affairs has awarded a 15-year lease for the second phase of the Community Based Outpatient Clinic means that this important facility will have a permanent home in Hickory. The existing center serves about 5,500 local veterans, and when the second phase opens in late 2010, the center will provide primary care, mental health services and eye case for 11,000 veterans throughout the 10th District. During his time in office, McHenry has clearly illustrated his commitment to providing after-service care for our nation’s military members. For that, we are proud to salute him.
Posted by
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December 19, 2008
Don't like their cars enough to buy one? Too bad - they're getting your money anyway.
President Bush announced Friday $13.4 billion in emergency loans to General Motors and Chrysler, ideally preventing the collapse of two American automobile giants. Another $4 billion would be available in February, the president announced. The money will come from taxpayers by way of $700 billion in funds initially dedicated to financial institution bailouts. Stocks jumped with the announcement, Bloomberg.com reported, though prices fell as Friday progressed. GM started the trading day off with a boom - up to $4.49 at 9:30 a.m, but sinking down to $4.05 later on. To comply with Bush's terms, autoworkers within the companies should agree to wage and work rules that are competitive with foreign automakers by the end of next year. Conditions also reference executive pay cuts and the elimination of private corporate jets. U.S. Rep. Patrick McHenry (R) deemed the news "unfortunate," labeling the big two as "terminal patients desperately in need of surgery." "Taxpayers are forced to fund the continuation of the automakers' bankrupt business model, which jeopardizes the long-term job security of autoworkers," McHenry said. Under the terms, GM and Chrysler must make significant strides by March 31, else the loans will be "called" for repayment, Bush said. "Does anyone actually believe that if these companies spend that money and fail to meet those goals, they will be able to repay taxpayers their $17 billion?" McHenry asked.
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December 16, 2008
The economic calamity that would result from a collapse of the Big 3 automakers is obvious, but many Americans are glad the U.S. Senate foiled a bailout plan. They see a bailout as a reward for doing business badly. The Senate voted down the $15 billion plan because the Union of Automobile Workers and senators could not agree on a timetable for wage reductions. The UAW agreed to trimming wages, but refused to commit on any timetable. That sank the deal approved in the House. Lots of people see nothing wrong with cutting back the wages of someone who makes $70 or $80 an hour and gets generous benefits. They also know that although the Big 3 CEOs chose a more modest form of travel to a second round of talks with Congress, they still have their mega-expensive private jets. People who have lost jobs have a hard time sympathizing. For sure, bankruptcy of Chrysler, Ford or General Motors - much less all three - would be devastating. Still, many people agree with U.S. Rep. Patrick McHenry, 10th Congressional District, who voted against the bailout plan in the House. "Before a single dollar is extracted from taxpayers, a concrete reorganization plan should be presented to the American public and debated by their representatives in Washington. Instead, we're told, 'trust us and vote yes,'" McHenry said. He cited a report in The Wall Street Journal in which American auto officials talked in depth about shipping car manufacturing and the production of parts and accessories to China. This was well before the Big 3 came hats in hand to Congress begging for a big-bucks rescue. "What exactly is the point of saving so-called American automakers if the outcome will be job creation in China?" McHenry asks. He's not alone. Several foreign car brands are made in the United States with American labor. At least one of the Big 3 depends on China for many components, including engines. It's a good bet that the White House will rescue the Big 3. The president can obligate the public with an executive order. It will prevent an economic cataclysm, but we think complete accountability must be part of the deal. And McHenry's right that the deal should save American jobs and the American economy and not have the result of sweetening Chinese profits.
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August 17, 2008
Energy policy was the focus of 10th District U. S. Rep. Patrick McHenry's town hall meeting Friday evening. The congressman, who is touring his district this month while Congress is in recess, spoke to a crowd of about 20 people at Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy.
McHenry told the audience that there is no one answer to dealing with the nation's energy crisis, but he said there are a number of ways to help solve the problem. The Republican congressman said it is clearly a crisis when Americans are relieved that the national average gasoline price has come down to $3.71." That's flat ridiculous," he said. McHenry noted that 95 percent of 10th District residents drive to work. To illustrate the pain being felt by drivers, he said that the yearly cost of fuel has risen from an average of about $1,400 in 2003 to more than $4,600 today. McHenry said that the United States accounts for 24 percent of the world's oil consumption, and "our usage of energy will keep rising." He offered a number of options for cutting U. S. reliance on imported foreign petroleum. "We have vast reserves of coal," he noted, "and it's cleaner and cleaner and cleaner. We should use it." He pointed to Duke Energy's Cliffside Steam Station as an example of a coal-fired facility. Later in his talk, he commented that "We are the Saudi Arabia of coal." McHenry also urged more production and use of natural gas, which, he said, is a big deal for manufacturing. Pointing to a graph, he said that alternative energy accounted for only 9.42 percent of U. S. energy production in 2007.” We need to grow that slice of the pie," he said. McHenry said that oil prices are high because supply is down and demand is up. Demand is up, he noted, because of such factors as the rapidly rising middle class in India and China. The solution for America's energy crisis, the congressman said, is a balanced new energy policy, conservation, alternative energy sources and an increase in the U. S. energy supply. He commented about conservation that U. S. oil demand declined 3 percent in the first half of 2008 because of improved fuel efficiency. McHenry called for a 21st century Manhattan Project for tackling the energy crisis. The Manhattan Project was the secret scientific effort to develop the first atomic bomb during World War II. A key, he said, is providing incentives for small business to find innovative solutions. He commented that hydroelectric, or water- generated power, accounts for only 3.5 percent of North Carolina's energy, but is 80 percent of Washington State's energy. Likewise, he said wind energy should be encouraged and incentivized McHenry said North Carolina wind installations could produce 8 percent of the state's electric consumption. Solar energy should also be increased, he said, from its current .11 percent share of U. S. energy production. And he cited an Israeli public/private project that provides incentives for using electric cars, such as encouraging the private enterprise of battery exchange sites. Nuclear energy, McHenry commented, produces 31.9 percent of North Carolina energy, and he encouraged Congress to eliminate barriers to nuclear energy expansion. He noted that South Korea has more nuclear power than the United States does, and he cited French steps to recycle nuclear waste. The congressman called for opening up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for energy production. He said the desolate area is roughly the size of South Carolina, but the drilling area needed to tap that region's 18 billion barrels of oil would be about the size of the Charlotte Airport. Oil from there could be routed through the Alaska Pipeline, he said. It is such a vast reserve, he said, that it is "enough oil to power over 60 million cars for 60 years." Similarly, he said, natural gas reserves in the country are vast, at 650.9 trillion cubic feet, enough natural gas to heat 60 million homes for 160 years. He said offshore drilling is environmentally sound, noting that 168 oil platforms were damaged or destroyed by hurricanes Katrina and Rita, yet the oil remained safe because the wells were capped before the storms hit. McHenry also called for an increase in the production of oil shale, which he likened to an "oil rock," in which technology is used to separate the oil from the rock. He urged an increase in refining capacity, too, saying the United States has not built an oil refinery since 1976. McHenry criticized House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, saying, "Speaker Pelosi has said 'I want to save the planet.' If she wants to save the planet, let Americans do it." He noted that the foreign producers the United States depends on are known for corruption and pollution. Republicans seek a discharge petition to bypass Speaker Pelosi and take an energy bill directly to the House floor, McHenry said. But because Republicans are in the minority, it will take some Democratic support to succeed with the discharge petition. "It will take Democrats with backbone to stand up to her," McHenry said. A discharge petition is a move to take a bill out of committee and place it on the floor, usually without the cooperation of the leadership. After his talk, McHenry took questions and comments from the audience.
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July 30, 2008
U.S. Rep. Patrick McHenry, running for reelection for North Carolina’s 10th Congressional District, answered tough questions regarding his positions on seven major science issues through the Scientists and Engineers for America’s SHARP Network. “One day, America will be powered by alternative sources of energy – and I’m working to make that happen. But until that day comes, we must use American resources, research and ingenuity to become more energy independent and to lower gas prices.” McHenry’s full responses to topics from climate change to health care can be viewed at: http://sharp.sefora.org/people/house/patrick-mchenry/. McHenry’s challenger, Daniel Johnson, has not yet responded to the questionnaire. Scientists and Engineers for America (SEA) is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to facilitating evidence-based decision making in politics and at all levels of government. SEA’s Board of Directors includes preeminent scientists and science policymakers, and the Board of Advisors includes nine Nobel Laureates as well as members of multiple presidential administrations and entrepreneurs.
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July 22, 2008
U.S. Rep. Patrick McHenry recently received the “Hero of the Taxpayer” award by the nation’s leading taxpayer advocacy group, Americans for Tax Reform (ATR). “Commitment and dedication to taxpayer’s interests, has been imperative in the fight against excessive taxation in the 1st session of the 110th Congress,” said Grover Norquist, President of ATR. “These Congressional ratings allow taxpayers to see, when it comes to their hard-earned money, exactly who the heroes and the ‘villains’ are in Congress. It is clear that Patrick McHenry has proven to be a hero.” ATR double-rates the “Taxpayer Protection Pledge” in all its Congressional scorecards. The Pledge is a written promise offered to every incumbent and candidate opposing “any and all tax increases.” McHenry signed the Pledge when he first ran for Congress in 2004. “I have never voted for a tax increase on Western North Carolina families and never will," he said. "With a federal budget that is expected to grow to $3.1 trillion next year, there is no reason why the federal government can’t meet its obligations, and then some, without raising taxes." |