Jobs, Economy, Financial Services

Congressman McHenry’s top priorities in the United States Congress are national security and economic security. The 10th District has seen significant job loss in the last decade, mainly due to unfair trade agreements and anti-competitive practices, especially from China. Having a well-trained and highly-educated workforce is the key to rebuilding America’s economy and to providing the necessary climate for businesses to invest in Western North Carolina.

Patrick McHenry supports reforming our tax code to promote investment in domestic industries. In an effort to provide a climate that promotes economic growth and job creation, Congressman McHenry is cosponsoring bills that permanently repeal the death tax, reform the Alternative Minimum Tax, reform the judicial system to end frivolous lawsuits, and reduce intrusive rules and regulations that are formulated by federal agencies without the appropriate Congressional review.

As textile, furniture and other manufacturing jobs have been moved away, workers find themselves in need of retraining for a new career field. The North Carolina Community College System is the number one tool that we have to help displaced workers get marketable skills to pursue a new career field. Congressman McHenry works closely with Community College officials to see that worker retraining programs are funded to the maximum capacity. The Congressman is a member of the Financial Services Committee, which has jurisdiction over the banking, insurance and investment industries. As a member of this committee, he is working to capitalize on Western North Carolina’s strong ties to banking in order to bring new financial services jobs to the district – well-paying jobs that support families and spur investment.

Taxes are also an important factor in job recruitment. Unfortunately, North Carolina’s position as the highest taxed state in the Southeast puts it at a competitive disadvantage to other states. That is why Congressman McHenry believes that we must work to reduce taxes at all levels of government so that businesses will find our state a more hospitable place to relocate. Furthermore, at no point during his public career has Patrick McHenry ever voted for a tax increase!