Congressman Patrick McHenry’s (R-NC-10) meth bill passed today in the U.S. House of Representatives as a provision in a larger law enforcement bill. Congressman McHenry’s provision doubles the prison sentence from 10 to 20 years for offenders caught manufacturing methamphetamine in the presence of children.

“My meth bill comes as the result of meeting with local sheriffs and drug enforcement officials in February to discuss solutions to the meth problem,” said Congressman McHenry. “Studies have shown that children who are exposed to meth labs can suffer permanent physical damage – this must be stopped.”

Congressman McHenry is leading the fight against methamphetamine abuse in the Tenth District. As Vice Chairman of the House Government Reform Subcommittee on Justice and Drug Policy, the Congressman has taken a lead role in crafting legislation to deal with this growing problem. Last year alone, over 2,700 children were found in methamphetamine labs seized by law enforcement officials.

“Children are the silent victims of our nation’s meth epidemic,” said Congressman McHenry. “This provision toughens the law against some of our nation’s worst criminals, the offenders who make this drug around children. I am going on the offensive against meth’s hold in our region because our communities deserve to be safe, healthy, and secure.”

The U.S. House of Representatives today passed the USA Patriot Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005 (H.R. 3199) by a vote of 251 to 174. The Senate is expected to take up action on this bill later this week.