Patrick McHenry to seek top Republican position on House Financial Services Committee

By Colin Wilhelm

Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., announced a run for the top Republican spot on the Financial Services Committee Thursday by pledging to work with Democrats to pass legislation — but also to try to rein them in if necessary.

“I will continue to seek legislative solutions that promote financial inclusion for all,” McHenry, currently the chief deputy majority whip, said in a statement. “I’m committed to working with the Trump Administration, Senators, and my Democratic colleagues on the committee to achieve these goals.”

“That said, my eyes are wide open to the goals of the new Democrat majority,” McHenry said. “I am fully prepared to fight back against any efforts by Democrats to use this committee to roll back our successes from the last two years or use the committee as the launch pad for endless, partisan investigations.”

A source familiar with McHenry’s bid said the North Carolina Republican was calling members of the committee to secure their votes and had already had positive conversations with some subcommittee chairs.

McHenry was likely to move up in House leadership for his party had Republicans maintained a majority in the House of Representatives, as he would have been the favorite for the majority whip position had current whip, Rep. Steve Scalise R-La., moved up to House majority leader.

As the current House Financial Services Committee vice-chairman, McHenry has been a leader on policy related to the intersection of finance and technology. If he secures the ranking member slot he’ll also be expected to serve as a foil to Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., a vocal critic of President Trump’s who is expected to chair the committee in the next Congress.

Read the full article in the Washington Examiner here.