Congressman Patrick McHenry

May 7, 2017

Congressman McHenry Weekly Update

Obamacare Repeal Passed

Since it became law, Obamacare has been a failure for western North Carolinians. It has driven up costs and reduced access to care. I committed to repealing and replacing it and this week, we accomplished that task with passage of the American Health Care Act (AHCA). The AHCA maintains some of Obamcare's popular provisions like protecting those with preexisting conditions. It also repeals the law's onerous and job-killing mandates like the individual mandate requiring all Americans purchase health insurance and the employer mandate which has slowed job growth.

The AHCA also includes the most significant reforms to Medicaid in a generation. These changes remove authority from Washington bureaucrats and empower states to shape their individual programs so they work for their citizens. I was proud to work closely with President Trump, his Administration, and other House leaders to get this bill passed. After Thursday's vote, I joined President Trump in the Oval Office to discuss the AHCA passing the House.

You can read my full statement on passage of the AHCA by clicking here. Additionally, you can learn more about the AHCA here.

Ensuring Our Troops Have the Tools They Need

In the dangerous world in which we live, with radical Islamic terrorists in the Middle East and a unstable North Korea, it is imperative our military men and women have the resources they need to protect us. On Wednesday, the House passed a government funding bill which ensures that. The government funding bill that President Trump signed into law Friday includes a big increase in defense funding, including the largest pay raise in six years. It also includes increased funding for border security and for western North Carolina priorities like funds for fighting wildfires and increased money to confront the opioid epidemic. You can read my full statement on the government funding bill by clicking here or on the image below. You can also learn more about all the important pieces included in the bill by clicking here.

Proud to Support - Working Families Flexibility Act

In recent years, we've seen drastic changes to the work force as economic challenges have forced more American families to become dual income households. This week, the House passed legislation to update our federal laws so they reflect this new reality. H.R. 1180, the Working Families Flexibility Act ensures private sector workers have the same flexibility in using comp time as their government counterparts. You can learn more about this bill and read my full statement on its passage by clicking here or on the image below.


	What I Have Been Reading
	My son has a preexisting condition. He's one of the reasons I voted for the AHCA. *The Washington Post* A powerful read from my good friend and colleague Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington state. Congresswoman Rodgers' son Cole was born with Down syndrome and in the op-ed above, she shares why it is so important that the AHCA become law so we can continue to protect those with preexisting conditions like Cole. Mount Holly entrepreneur youngest member in Chamber history *Gaston Gazette* A few weeks ago, I shared the story of Mount Holly's Noah Empson who started a trash can valet service in his Gaston County neighborhood. Since then, Noah has gone on to become the youngest member in the history of the Gaston County Regional Chamber of Commerce and he's auditioned for the popular television show, "Shark Tank." Jobless rate at 10-Year Low as Hiring Grows and Wages Rise *New York Times* In addition to the success repealing and replacing Obamacare, we received more positive economic news this week as the jobless rate dropped to its lowest level in a decade. I commend President Trump and his pro-growth priorities that have made these economic gains possible.

WASHINGTON, D.C. OFFICE
2334 Rayburn HOB
Washington, D.C. 20515
Telephone: 202.225.2576
Fax: 202.225.0316

GASTONIA DISTRICT OFFICE
Suite 115
Gaston Co. Administrative Bldg
128 West Main Avenue
Gastonia, NC 28053
Telephone: 704.833.0096

HICKORY DISTRICT OFFICE
1990 Main Ave. SE, PO Box 1830
Hickory, NC 28603
Telephone: 828.327.6100
Toll-Free in NC: 800.477.2576
Fax: 828.327.8311

BLACK MTN. DISTRICT OFFICE
160 Midland Avenue
Black Mountain, NC 28711
Telephone: 828.669.0600

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