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| caption = Official portrait, 2018
| caption = Official portrait, 2018
| birth_name = Patrick Timothy McHenry
| birth_name = Patrick Timothy McHenry
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1975|10|22}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1975|10|22}}
| birth_place = [[Gastonia, North Carolina]], U.S.
| birth_place = Gastonia, North Carolina, U.S.
| nationality = American
| nationality = American
| occupation = Politician, political consultant
| occupation = Politician, consultant
| known_for = Chair of the [[House Financial Services Committee]]; Speaker pro tempore of the U.S. House of Representatives (2023)
| known_for = Chair of the House Financial Services Committee; Speaker pro tempore of the United States House of Representatives (2023)
| education = [[Belmont Abbey College]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])
| education = Belmont Abbey College (B.A.)
| awards =  
| awards =  
| website =  
| website =  
}}
}}


'''Patrick Timothy McHenry''' (born October 22, 1975) is an American politician who served as the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. representative]] for [[North Carolina's 10th congressional district]] from 2005 to 2025. A member of the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]], McHenry rose through the ranks of House Republican leadership over the course of his two-decade congressional career, serving as a chief deputy whip, ranking member, and ultimately chair of the [[House Financial Services Committee]]. In October 2023, he gained national attention when he was designated [[Speaker pro tempore of the United States House of Representatives|Speaker pro tempore]] following the unprecedented removal of [[Kevin McCarthy]] as [[Speaker of the United States House of Representatives|Speaker of the House]], a role he held for 22 days until [[Mike Johnson (Louisiana politician)|Mike Johnson]] was elected Speaker. Before entering Congress, McHenry served a single term in the [[North Carolina House of Representatives]]. He was the dean of [[North Carolina]]'s congressional delegation, a distinction he shared with fellow Republican Representative [[Virginia Foxx]].<ref>{{cite web |title=McHenry, Patrick T. |url=http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=M001156 |publisher=Biographical Directory of the United States Congress |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Since leaving Congress in January 2025, McHenry has remained active in policy advocacy, particularly in the financial technology and prediction markets sectors.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-01-13 |title=Prediction markets group bets on two connected former lawmakers |url=https://www.axios.com/2026/01/13/coalition-for-prediction-markets-maloney-mchenry |work=Axios |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
Patrick Timothy McHenry (born October 22, 1975) is an American politician who served as the [[U.S. representative]] for [[North Carolina's 10th congressional district]] from 2005 to 2025, a tenure spanning two decades in which he rose from a young backbencher to one of the most influential Republican voices on financial regulation in Congress. A member of the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]], McHenry chaired the [[House Financial Services Committee]] from 2023 to 2025, during which time he shaped legislation on digital assets, financial technology, and market structure. He gained national attention in October 2023 when he was designated [[Speaker pro tempore of the United States House of Representatives|Speaker pro tempore]] of the [[United States House of Representatives]] following the unprecedented removal of Speaker [[Kevin McCarthy]] through a motion to vacate the chair, serving in that role for 22 days until the election of [[Mike Johnson (Louisiana politician)|Mike Johnson]] as Speaker.<ref>{{cite web |title=Patrick McHenry looks back on three weeks in the hot seat |url=https://rollcall.com/2025/09/16/patrick-mchenry-looks-back-on-three-weeks-in-the-hot-seat/ |work=Roll Call |date=September 16, 2025 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Before his election to Congress, McHenry served one term in the [[North Carolina House of Representatives]]. After leaving Congress in January 2025, he transitioned into the private sector, becoming involved in advocacy related to prediction markets and financial technology.<ref>{{cite news |title=Prediction markets group bets on two connected former lawmakers |url=https://www.axios.com/2026/01/13/coalition-for-prediction-markets-maloney-mchenry |work=Axios |date=January 13, 2026 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


== Early Life ==
== Early Life ==


Patrick Timothy McHenry was born on October 22, 1975, in [[Gastonia, North Carolina]], a city in the western part of the state.<ref>{{cite web |title=McHenry, Patrick T. |url=http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=M001156 |publisher=Biographical Directory of the United States Congress |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> He grew up in the region that would later form the core of the congressional district he represented for two decades. McHenry developed an interest in politics at a young age and became involved in Republican Party activities during his formative years.
Patrick Timothy McHenry was born on October 22, 1975, in Gastonia, North Carolina.<ref name="bioguide">{{cite web |title=McHenry, Patrick T. |url=http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=M001156 |publisher=Biographical Directory of the United States Congress |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> He grew up in the western North Carolina region, an area that would later form the core of the congressional district he represented for two decades. McHenry's early interest in politics and public affairs led him to become involved in Republican Party activities at a young age.


As a young man, McHenry worked in various political roles that helped him build connections within the North Carolina Republican establishment and the national party. His early political involvement included work on campaigns and with party organizations, which gave him experience in electoral politics and grassroots organizing before he sought office himself.<ref name="washmonthly">{{cite web |title=Washington Monthly profile |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090704230015/http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2005/0510.wallace-wells.html |publisher=Washington Monthly |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
Details of McHenry's childhood and family background in Gastonia placed him in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a region characterized by its manufacturing heritage and conservative political leanings. The 10th congressional district, which he would later represent, included the communities of Hickory and Mooresville, along with portions of the greater Charlotte metropolitan area's exurbs.<ref name="bioguide" />


McHenry's upbringing in the foothills of western North Carolina shaped his political identity as a conservative Republican. The region, characterized by its mix of small towns and rural communities, provided a political base that would prove receptive to McHenry's brand of conservatism throughout his congressional career.
McHenry's involvement in politics began before he reached the age typically associated with elected officeholders. He became active in Republican political circles in North Carolina during his young adult years, building relationships and organizational experience that would serve as the foundation for his later campaigns for public office.<ref>{{cite web |title=Patrick McHenry - Candidate Detail |url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/CandidateDetail.html?CandidateID=10402 |publisher=Our Campaigns |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


== Education ==
== Education ==


McHenry attended [[Belmont Abbey College]], a private Catholic liberal arts college located in [[Belmont, North Carolina]], near his hometown of Gastonia. He earned a [[Bachelor of Arts]] degree from the institution.<ref>{{cite web |title=McHenry, Patrick T. |url=http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=M001156 |publisher=Biographical Directory of the United States Congress |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Belmont Abbey College, founded by [[Benedictine]] monks, is one of the smaller Catholic colleges in the southeastern United States. McHenry's education there provided him with a foundation in the liberal arts before he pursued a career in politics and government.
McHenry attended [[Belmont Abbey College]], a small Catholic liberal arts college located in Belmont, North Carolina, near his hometown of Gastonia. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the institution.<ref name="bioguide" /> Belmont Abbey College, founded by Benedictine monks in 1876, is situated in Gaston County and provided McHenry with an education rooted in the liberal arts tradition. His time at Belmont Abbey coincided with his growing involvement in North Carolina Republican politics.


== Career ==
== Career ==
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=== North Carolina House of Representatives ===
=== North Carolina House of Representatives ===


Before running for Congress, McHenry served one term in the [[North Carolina House of Representatives]], gaining experience in state-level governance and building name recognition among Republican voters in the western part of the state.<ref>{{cite web |title=McHenry, Patrick T. |url=http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=M001156 |publisher=Biographical Directory of the United States Congress |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> His time in the state legislature was relatively brief, as he soon set his sights on a seat in the U.S. Congress. His single term in Raleigh nonetheless provided him with legislative experience and connections that aided his subsequent congressional campaign.
Before seeking federal office, McHenry served in the [[North Carolina House of Representatives]], where he represented a district in the western part of the state for one term.<ref name="bioguide" /> His tenure in the state legislature provided him with legislative experience and raised his profile among Republican voters in the region. The state legislative seat served as a stepping stone to his successful campaign for Congress.


=== Election to Congress ===
=== Election to Congress ===


McHenry was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2004, winning the seat for [[North Carolina's 10th congressional district]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Patrick McHenry — Candidate Detail |url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/CandidateDetail.html?CandidateID=10402 |publisher=Our Campaigns |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> The district, located in western North Carolina, included communities such as [[Hickory, North Carolina|Hickory]] and [[Mooresville, North Carolina|Mooresville]]. At the time of his election, McHenry was 29 years old, making him one of the youngest members of the 109th Congress when he took office in January 2005.
McHenry was first elected to the [[United States House of Representatives]] in 2004, representing North Carolina's 10th congressional district.<ref name="bioguide" /> The district, centered in the western Piedmont and foothills region of North Carolina, included the communities of Hickory and Mooresville among other areas. At the time of his election, McHenry was among the youngest members of the 109th Congress, having been elected at the age of 29.<ref name="congress">{{cite web |title=Representative Patrick McHenry |url=https://www.congress.gov/member/patrick-mchenry/1792 |publisher=Congress.gov |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


McHenry won reelection consistently throughout his tenure, reflecting the Republican-leaning nature of his district. His Federal Election Commission filings document his campaign activities over the course of his congressional career.<ref>{{cite web |title=Patrick McHenry — FEC Candidate Information |url=https://www.fec.gov/data/candidate/H4NC10047 |publisher=Federal Election Commission |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Election results from North Carolina confirmed his repeated victories in both primary and general elections.<ref>{{cite web |title=North Carolina Election Results |url=http://results.enr.clarityelections.com/NC/7937/13362/en/reports.html |publisher=Clarity Elections |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
McHenry won re-election consistently throughout his tenure, serving ten terms in Congress from January 2005 through January 2025.<ref name="congress" /> His electoral record reflected the solidly Republican composition of his district. Federal Election Commission records document his campaign activities and fundraising throughout his congressional career.<ref>{{cite web |title=Patrick McHenry - Candidate |url=https://www.fec.gov/data/candidate/H4NC10047 |publisher=Federal Election Commission |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


=== House Republican Leadership ===
=== House Republican Leadership ===


McHenry's rise within the Republican conference was marked by his appointment as House Republican chief deputy whip, a position he held from August 1, 2014, to January 3, 2019. In this role, he served under Speakers [[John Boehner]] and [[Paul Ryan]], working to secure Republican votes on key legislation and maintain party discipline on the House floor.<ref>{{cite web |title=McHenry, Patrick T. |url=http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=M001156 |publisher=Biographical Directory of the United States Congress |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> He succeeded [[Peter Roskam]] in the position and was in turn succeeded by [[Drew Ferguson]].
McHenry rose steadily through the ranks of the House Republican Conference over the course of his congressional career. From August 2014 to January 2019, he served as House Republican Chief Deputy Whip, a key leadership post responsible for counting votes and ensuring party discipline on legislative matters. In this role, he served under Speakers [[John Boehner]] and [[Paul Ryan]], succeeding Representative [[Peter Roskam]] in the position and being succeeded by Representative [[Drew Ferguson]].<ref name="bioguide" />


The chief deputy whip position placed McHenry at the center of Republican legislative strategy during a tumultuous period for the party. He served during the latter years of the Obama administration and the early years of the Trump administration, navigating intra-party tensions between establishment Republicans and the growing conservative insurgency within the House Republican conference.
The chief deputy whip position placed McHenry at the center of Republican legislative strategy and gave him insight into the dynamics of the House Republican caucus. His work in this role built relationships across the conference and established him as a reliable figure in leadership circles.
 
By the end of his career, McHenry had become the dean of North Carolina's congressional delegation, a distinction he shared with fellow Representative [[Virginia Foxx]], reflecting his seniority and longevity in representing the state in Congress.<ref name="congress" />


=== House Financial Services Committee ===
=== House Financial Services Committee ===


McHenry's most prominent committee assignment was on the [[House Financial Services Committee]], where he served for many years and eventually rose to its top positions. From January 3, 2019, to January 3, 2023, he served as the ranking member of the committee, the top Republican on the panel, during a period when Democrats controlled the House and [[Maxine Waters]] served as chair.<ref>{{cite web |title=Member Profile — Patrick McHenry |url=https://www.congress.gov/member/patrick-mchenry/1792 |publisher=Congress.gov |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
McHenry's most prominent legislative role was on the [[House Financial Services Committee]], where he served for much of his congressional career. From January 2019 to January 2023, he served as the ranking member of the committee, the top Republican on the panel, succeeding Representative [[Maxine Waters]] when she assumed the chairmanship under the Democratic majority.<ref name="congress" />


When Republicans regained control of the House following the 2022 midterm elections, McHenry became chair of the House Financial Services Committee on January 3, 2023, succeeding Waters.<ref>{{cite web |title=Member Profile — Patrick McHenry |url=https://www.congress.gov/member/patrick-mchenry/1792 |publisher=Congress.gov |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> As chair, McHenry oversaw the committee's jurisdiction over banking, insurance, housing, and securities regulation. He played a central role in shaping Republican policy on financial regulation, digital assets, and cryptocurrency during the 118th Congress.
When Republicans regained the House majority following the 2022 midterm elections, McHenry ascended to the chairmanship of the Financial Services Committee in January 2023, succeeding Waters.<ref name="congress" /> As chair, McHenry oversaw the committee's jurisdiction over banking, insurance, housing, securities, and financial markets. He became a central figure in congressional efforts to develop a regulatory framework for digital assets and cryptocurrency, an area of growing legislative interest.


McHenry's chairmanship was notable for its focus on financial technology and digital assets. He championed legislation aimed at creating a regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies and digital tokens, positioning himself as one of Congress's leading voices on the intersection of technology and financial services. His work on the committee drew attention from both the financial industry and technology sector.
During his chairmanship, McHenry advanced legislation related to financial technology, market structure, and the regulation of digital assets. His work on the committee positioned him as one of the leading Republican voices on financial regulatory policy in Congress. He served as chair until January 2025, when he was succeeded by Representative [[French Hill]].<ref name="congress" />
 
He served as chair until January 3, 2025, when he was succeeded by [[French Hill]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Member Profile — Patrick McHenry |url=https://www.congress.gov/member/patrick-mchenry/1792 |publisher=Congress.gov |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


=== Speaker Pro Tempore ===
=== Speaker Pro Tempore ===


On October 3, 2023, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to remove [[Kevin McCarthy]] as Speaker through a [[motion to vacate the chair]], the first time in American history that such a motion had succeeded. Following McCarthy's removal, McHenry was designated as [[Speaker pro tempore of the United States House of Representatives|Speaker pro tempore]], a position that had been established under House rules for situations in which the Speaker's office becomes vacant.<ref name="rollcall">{{cite news |date=2025-09-16 |title=Patrick McHenry looks back on three weeks in the hot seat |url=https://rollcall.com/2025/09/16/patrick-mchenry-looks-back-on-three-weeks-in-the-hot-seat/ |work=Roll Call |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
On October 3, 2023, McHenry was thrust into one of the most unusual roles in modern congressional history when he was designated Speaker pro tempore of the United States House of Representatives. The designation came immediately following the removal of Speaker Kevin McCarthy through a motion to vacate the chair, an unprecedented event in American political history. As the first name on McCarthy's secret list of designated successors — a list required under House rules — McHenry assumed the role of presiding officer on a temporary basis.<ref name="rollcall">{{cite web |title=Patrick McHenry looks back on three weeks in the hot seat |url=https://rollcall.com/2025/09/16/patrick-mchenry-looks-back-on-three-weeks-in-the-hot-seat/ |work=Roll Call |date=September 16, 2025 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


McHenry served as Speaker pro tempore from October 3 to October 25, 2023, a period of 22 days during which the House was largely paralyzed as Republicans struggled to elect a new Speaker. The House could not conduct regular legislative business during this period, as the Speaker pro tempore's powers were limited compared to those of a fully elected Speaker. The question of the extent of the Speaker pro tempore's authority became a subject of debate among constitutional scholars and congressional proceduralists.
McHenry served as Speaker pro tempore for 22 days, from October 3 to October 25, 2023, during which the House Republican Conference engaged in a contentious and prolonged process to select a new Speaker. During this period, the House was largely unable to conduct regular legislative business, as the Speaker pro tempore role carried limited authority compared to that of a full Speaker. The situation highlighted tensions within the Republican caucus and drew significant national media attention.<ref name="rollcall" />


During his tenure as Speaker pro tempore, McHenry presided over the House chamber as multiple Republican candidates sought to secure the votes needed to become Speaker. The process was contentious and drawn out, with several candidates failing to win sufficient support from the Republican conference. McHenry's role required him to navigate the unprecedented situation with institutional awareness and procedural knowledge.
McHenry's handling of the role drew both praise and scrutiny. He presided over a chamber in a state of institutional uncertainty, navigating the procedural complexities of operating without a fully empowered Speaker. The episode concluded on October 25, 2023, when Mike Johnson of Louisiana was elected Speaker of the House, allowing McHenry to return to his role as chair of the Financial Services Committee.<ref name="rollcall" />


On October 25, 2023, [[Mike Johnson (Louisiana politician)|Mike Johnson]] of Louisiana was elected Speaker of the House, ending McHenry's service as Speaker pro tempore. McHenry subsequently returned to his position as chair of the House Financial Services Committee.
In September 2025, months after leaving Congress, McHenry returned to the Capitol to claim an award and reflected publicly on his experience during the speakership crisis. In an interview with Roll Call, he discussed the chaos and resilience of the legislative process during those 22 days, offering perspective on the institutional challenges the House faced during the period.<ref name="rollcall" />


In September 2025, McHenry returned to the Capitol to accept an award and reflected on his experience during those tumultuous three weeks. He discussed the chaos and resilience of the legislative process during that period.<ref name="rollcall" />
=== Retirement from Congress ===


=== Departure from Congress ===
McHenry announced that he would not seek re-election in 2024, concluding a 20-year career in the House of Representatives. He served his final term through January 2025, continuing to chair the Financial Services Committee until the end of the 118th Congress.<ref name="congress" />
 
McHenry announced that he would not seek reelection in 2024, choosing to retire from Congress at the end of the 118th Congress in January 2025. His departure marked the end of a 20-year tenure representing North Carolina's 10th congressional district. At the time of his retirement, McHenry was the dean of North Carolina's congressional delegation, a distinction he shared with Representative Virginia Foxx, who had also entered Congress in 2005.<ref>{{cite web |title=McHenry, Patrick T. |url=http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=M001156 |publisher=Biographical Directory of the United States Congress |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


=== Post-Congressional Career ===
=== Post-Congressional Career ===


After leaving Congress in January 2025, McHenry transitioned to the private sector while maintaining involvement in policy advocacy. He became particularly active in the area of prediction markets, an emerging financial sector that allows participants to trade on the outcomes of future events.
After leaving Congress in January 2025, McHenry transitioned into the private sector, leveraging his expertise in financial regulation and technology policy. He became involved in advocacy and advisory work related to emerging financial markets, particularly prediction markets and financial technology.


In January 2026, the Coalition for Prediction Markets (CPM), a bipartisan coalition focused on preserving access to prediction markets, announced that McHenry would serve as senior advisor and chairman of the organization. Former Democratic Congressman [[Sean Patrick Maloney]] was named CEO and president of the same organization.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-01-13 |title=The Coalition for Prediction Markets Names Former U.S. Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney as CEO and President and Chairman Patrick McHenry as Senior Advisor |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-coalition-for-prediction-markets-names-former-us-congressman-sean-patrick-maloney-as-ceo-and-president-and-chairman-patrick-mchenry-as-senior-advisor-302659139.html |work=PR Newswire |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> The bipartisan pairing of McHenry and Maloney reflected the organization's effort to advocate for federal regulation of prediction markets rather than a patchwork of state-level regulations.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-01-13 |title=Prediction markets group bets on two connected former lawmakers |url=https://www.axios.com/2026/01/13/coalition-for-prediction-markets-maloney-mchenry |work=Axios |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
In January 2026, the Coalition for Prediction Markets (CPM), described as a bipartisan coalition dedicated to preserving fair and transparent access to prediction markets, announced that McHenry would serve as chairman and senior advisor. The organization simultaneously named former Democratic Representative [[Sean Patrick Maloney]] as its CEO and president, giving the coalition a bipartisan leadership structure.<ref name="cpm">{{cite web |title=The Coalition for Prediction Markets Names Former U.S. Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney as CEO and President and Chairman Patrick McHenry as Senior Advisor |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-coalition-for-prediction-markets-names-former-us-congressman-sean-patrick-maloney-as-ceo-and-president-and-chairman-patrick-mchenry-as-senior-advisor-302659139.html |publisher=PR Newswire |date=January 2026 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


McHenry and Maloney spoke publicly about the rapidly expanding prediction markets industry, including platforms such as Kalshi and Polymarket, discussing their potential role in financial markets and the importance of establishing a clear regulatory framework.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02-11 |title=Former lawmakers turn their attention to rapidly expanding prediction markets |url=https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nc/charlotte/news/2026/02/11/prediction-market-kalshi-polymarket-mchenry |work=Spectrum News |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
The coalition's stated goal was to ensure that federal law, rather than state regulations, would govern the prediction markets industry.<ref>{{cite news |title=Prediction markets group bets on two connected former lawmakers |url=https://www.axios.com/2026/01/13/coalition-for-prediction-markets-maloney-mchenry |work=Axios |date=January 13, 2026 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> McHenry and Maloney both spoke publicly about the rapidly expanding prediction markets sector, discussing the regulatory and policy landscape with media outlets.<ref>{{cite web |title=Former lawmakers turn their attention to rapidly expanding prediction markets |url=https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nc/charlotte/news/2026/02/11/prediction-market-kalshi-polymarket-mchenry |publisher=Spectrum News |date=February 11, 2026 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


In January 2026, McHenry was interviewed by Politico about his post-congressional activities and views on technology and financial policy, further establishing his role as a commentator and advocate in the financial technology space.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-01-16 |title=5 Questions for Patrick McHenry |url=https://www.politico.com/newsletters/digital-future-daily/2026/01/16/5-questions-for-patrick-mchenry-00733800 |work=Politico |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
McHenry also maintained a public profile as a commentator on congressional affairs and financial policy. In January 2026, he was interviewed by Politico for its "Digital Future Daily" newsletter, discussing technology policy and related issues.<ref>{{cite news |title=5 Questions for Patrick McHenry |url=https://www.politico.com/newsletters/digital-future-daily/2026/01/16/5-questions-for-patrick-mchenry-00733800 |work=Politico |date=January 16, 2026 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> He also appeared on Bloomberg to discuss government funding votes and other congressional matters, drawing on his experience as a former senior legislator.<ref>{{cite web |title=Watch Patrick McHenry on Govt. Funding Vote, Kevin Warsh |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2026-01-31/patrick-mchenry-on-govt-funding-vote-kevin-warsh-video |publisher=Bloomberg |date=January 31, 2026 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


McHenry also continued to offer analysis on congressional proceedings, appearing on Bloomberg to discuss government funding votes and other legislative matters in early 2026.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-01-31 |title=Watch Patrick McHenry on Govt. Funding Vote, Kevin Warsh |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2026-01-31/patrick-mchenry-on-govt-funding-vote-kevin-warsh-video |work=Bloomberg |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
McHenry's transition from Congress to the prediction markets industry drew attention from observers who tracked the movement of former lawmakers into private-sector roles related to their former areas of legislative responsibility. The American Prospect published an article in May 2025 examining McHenry's post-congressional activities in relation to the cryptocurrency and digital assets sectors, noting his role as an advisor in the space.<ref>{{cite web |title=Senior Advisor McHenry at Your Crypto Service |url=https://prospect.org/2025/05/07/2025-05-07-senior-advisor-mchenry-at-your-crypto-service/ |work=The American Prospect |date=May 7, 2025 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
 
The ''American Prospect'' reported in May 2025 on McHenry's post-congressional role as a senior advisor, noting his involvement in cryptocurrency-related policy advocacy and raising questions about the revolving door between Congress and the industries lawmakers previously regulated.<ref>{{cite news |date=2025-05-07 |title=Senior Advisor McHenry at Your Crypto Service |url=https://prospect.org/2025/05/07/2025-05-07-senior-advisor-mchenry-at-your-crypto-service |work=The American Prospect |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


== Personal Life ==
== Personal Life ==


McHenry has maintained a relatively private personal life throughout his political career. He is based in North Carolina, where he represented the communities of Hickory, Mooresville, and surrounding areas in the western part of the state for 20 years.
Patrick McHenry was born and raised in Gastonia, North Carolina, and maintained his residence in the western North Carolina region throughout his congressional career.<ref name="bioguide" /> He represented a district rooted in the Piedmont and foothills communities of the state, an area he knew from childhood.


== Recognition ==
== Recognition ==


In September 2025, McHenry returned to the U.S. Capitol to receive an award recognizing his service. During the visit, he reflected on his time as Speaker pro tempore and the broader experience of serving in Congress during a period of significant institutional upheaval.<ref name="rollcall" />
In September 2025, McHenry returned to the United States Capitol to receive an award, the specifics of which were reported in connection with his reflections on his time as Speaker pro tempore. The occasion provided an opportunity for McHenry to discuss his congressional career and the events of October 2023 with reporters and former colleagues.<ref name="rollcall" />


Throughout his congressional career, McHenry was recognized for his work on financial services policy. His role as chair of the House Financial Services Committee placed him at the center of debates over banking regulation, digital assets, and financial technology. His advocacy for a comprehensive regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies and digital assets earned him attention from financial industry stakeholders and technology policy observers.
During his time in Congress, McHenry's work on the House Financial Services Committee earned him a reputation as one of the Republican Party's leading figures on financial regulation and technology policy. His chairmanship of the committee during the 118th Congress (2023–2025) represented the culmination of years of work on the panel, including his service as ranking member during the 116th and 117th Congresses.<ref name="congress" />


McHenry was also a member of the [[Republican Study Committee]], the largest caucus of House Republicans, and was involved in the Congressional NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus, which focused on modernizing the nation's emergency communications systems.<ref>{{cite web |title=About the Congressional NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus |url=http://www.ng911institute.org/about-the-congressional-nextgen-9-1-1-caucus |publisher=NG911 Institute |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
McHenry's role as Speaker pro tempore, while brief, represented a historically notable moment. He was the first person to hold that designation under the circumstances of a Speaker's removal through a motion to vacate, a procedural mechanism that had not been successfully invoked since 1910 and had never previously resulted in the actual removal of a sitting Speaker.<ref name="rollcall" />


== Legacy ==
== Legacy ==


Patrick McHenry's two-decade tenure in Congress coincided with a period of significant transformation in both the Republican Party and American financial policy. Entering Congress as one of its youngest members in 2005, he rose through the ranks of Republican leadership, holding positions that placed him at the intersection of party strategy and policy development.
McHenry's two-decade career in the House of Representatives left a mark on several areas of legislative policy, most notably in the realm of financial services regulation and the emerging framework for digital assets. As the chair and ranking member of the Financial Services Committee, he was involved in shaping the congressional approach to cryptocurrency regulation, fintech innovation, and market structure reform during a period of rapid technological change in the financial industry.


His service as Speaker pro tempore, while brief, represented a unique moment in American legislative history. The 22-day period during which he held the gavel highlighted both the fragility and the resilience of congressional institutions. McHenry was the first person to serve in the Speaker pro tempore role under the circumstances of a successful motion to vacate, a constitutional test that had no direct precedent.<ref name="rollcall" />
His 22-day tenure as Speaker pro tempore in October 2023 remains one of the most unusual episodes in modern House history. The removal of Speaker McCarthy and the subsequent leadership vacuum tested the institutional resilience of the House, and McHenry's role in presiding over the chamber during that period became a subject of historical and political analysis. In his own reflections on the experience, delivered upon his return to the Capitol in September 2025, McHenry spoke about the themes of chaos and resilience in the legislative process.<ref name="rollcall" />


As chair of the House Financial Services Committee, McHenry shaped the Republican approach to financial technology regulation during a period when digital assets and cryptocurrencies were rapidly entering the mainstream financial system. His legislative efforts on cryptocurrency regulation represented an attempt to establish federal standards for an industry that had largely operated in a regulatory gray area.
McHenry's post-congressional career in the prediction markets and financial technology sectors reflected broader trends in the movement of former lawmakers into advocacy and advisory roles in industries they previously regulated. His bipartisan partnership with former Democratic Representative Sean Patrick Maloney at the Coalition for Prediction Markets illustrated the cross-party nature of certain financial technology policy debates.<ref name="cpm" />


After leaving Congress, McHenry's transition to roles in prediction markets advocacy and financial technology consulting reflected a broader pattern of former lawmakers leveraging their policy expertise and connections in the private sector. His bipartisan collaboration with former Democratic Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney at the Coalition for Prediction Markets represented an unusual pairing that drew on both men's legislative experience and policy networks.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-01-13 |title=Prediction markets group bets on two connected former lawmakers |url=https://www.axios.com/2026/01/13/coalition-for-prediction-markets-maloney-mchenry |work=Axios |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
As the dean of North Carolina's congressional delegation at the time of his retirement, McHenry's departure from Congress marked the end of an era for the state's representation in Washington. His long tenure in the 10th congressional district, which he represented from its pre-redistricting configuration through multiple boundary changes, reflected both his personal electoral strength and the consistently Republican character of the western North Carolina region he called home.<ref name="congress" />
 
McHenry's career trajectory—from young state legislator to influential committee chairman and brief occupant of the Speaker's chair—illustrated the possibilities and constraints of building a legislative career in an era of increasing partisan polarization and institutional instability in the U.S. House of Representatives.


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[[Category:People from Gastonia, North Carolina]]
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Latest revision as of 18:19, 24 February 2026




Patrick McHenry
Official portrait, 2018
Patrick McHenry
BornPatrick Timothy McHenry
22 10, 1975
BirthplaceGastonia, North Carolina, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
OccupationPolitician, consultant
Known forChair of the House Financial Services Committee; Speaker pro tempore of the United States House of Representatives (2023)
EducationBelmont Abbey College (B.A.)

Patrick Timothy McHenry (born October 22, 1975) is an American politician who served as the U.S. representative for North Carolina's 10th congressional district from 2005 to 2025, a tenure spanning two decades in which he rose from a young backbencher to one of the most influential Republican voices on financial regulation in Congress. A member of the Republican Party, McHenry chaired the House Financial Services Committee from 2023 to 2025, during which time he shaped legislation on digital assets, financial technology, and market structure. He gained national attention in October 2023 when he was designated Speaker pro tempore of the United States House of Representatives following the unprecedented removal of Speaker Kevin McCarthy through a motion to vacate the chair, serving in that role for 22 days until the election of Mike Johnson as Speaker.[1] Before his election to Congress, McHenry served one term in the North Carolina House of Representatives. After leaving Congress in January 2025, he transitioned into the private sector, becoming involved in advocacy related to prediction markets and financial technology.[2]

Early Life

Patrick Timothy McHenry was born on October 22, 1975, in Gastonia, North Carolina.[3] He grew up in the western North Carolina region, an area that would later form the core of the congressional district he represented for two decades. McHenry's early interest in politics and public affairs led him to become involved in Republican Party activities at a young age.

Details of McHenry's childhood and family background in Gastonia placed him in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a region characterized by its manufacturing heritage and conservative political leanings. The 10th congressional district, which he would later represent, included the communities of Hickory and Mooresville, along with portions of the greater Charlotte metropolitan area's exurbs.[3]

McHenry's involvement in politics began before he reached the age typically associated with elected officeholders. He became active in Republican political circles in North Carolina during his young adult years, building relationships and organizational experience that would serve as the foundation for his later campaigns for public office.[4]

Education

McHenry attended Belmont Abbey College, a small Catholic liberal arts college located in Belmont, North Carolina, near his hometown of Gastonia. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the institution.[3] Belmont Abbey College, founded by Benedictine monks in 1876, is situated in Gaston County and provided McHenry with an education rooted in the liberal arts tradition. His time at Belmont Abbey coincided with his growing involvement in North Carolina Republican politics.

Career

North Carolina House of Representatives

Before seeking federal office, McHenry served in the North Carolina House of Representatives, where he represented a district in the western part of the state for one term.[3] His tenure in the state legislature provided him with legislative experience and raised his profile among Republican voters in the region. The state legislative seat served as a stepping stone to his successful campaign for Congress.

Election to Congress

McHenry was first elected to the United States House of Representatives in 2004, representing North Carolina's 10th congressional district.[3] The district, centered in the western Piedmont and foothills region of North Carolina, included the communities of Hickory and Mooresville among other areas. At the time of his election, McHenry was among the youngest members of the 109th Congress, having been elected at the age of 29.[5]

McHenry won re-election consistently throughout his tenure, serving ten terms in Congress from January 2005 through January 2025.[5] His electoral record reflected the solidly Republican composition of his district. Federal Election Commission records document his campaign activities and fundraising throughout his congressional career.[6]

House Republican Leadership

McHenry rose steadily through the ranks of the House Republican Conference over the course of his congressional career. From August 2014 to January 2019, he served as House Republican Chief Deputy Whip, a key leadership post responsible for counting votes and ensuring party discipline on legislative matters. In this role, he served under Speakers John Boehner and Paul Ryan, succeeding Representative Peter Roskam in the position and being succeeded by Representative Drew Ferguson.[3]

The chief deputy whip position placed McHenry at the center of Republican legislative strategy and gave him insight into the dynamics of the House Republican caucus. His work in this role built relationships across the conference and established him as a reliable figure in leadership circles.

By the end of his career, McHenry had become the dean of North Carolina's congressional delegation, a distinction he shared with fellow Representative Virginia Foxx, reflecting his seniority and longevity in representing the state in Congress.[5]

House Financial Services Committee

McHenry's most prominent legislative role was on the House Financial Services Committee, where he served for much of his congressional career. From January 2019 to January 2023, he served as the ranking member of the committee, the top Republican on the panel, succeeding Representative Maxine Waters when she assumed the chairmanship under the Democratic majority.[5]

When Republicans regained the House majority following the 2022 midterm elections, McHenry ascended to the chairmanship of the Financial Services Committee in January 2023, succeeding Waters.[5] As chair, McHenry oversaw the committee's jurisdiction over banking, insurance, housing, securities, and financial markets. He became a central figure in congressional efforts to develop a regulatory framework for digital assets and cryptocurrency, an area of growing legislative interest.

During his chairmanship, McHenry advanced legislation related to financial technology, market structure, and the regulation of digital assets. His work on the committee positioned him as one of the leading Republican voices on financial regulatory policy in Congress. He served as chair until January 2025, when he was succeeded by Representative French Hill.[5]

Speaker Pro Tempore

On October 3, 2023, McHenry was thrust into one of the most unusual roles in modern congressional history when he was designated Speaker pro tempore of the United States House of Representatives. The designation came immediately following the removal of Speaker Kevin McCarthy through a motion to vacate the chair, an unprecedented event in American political history. As the first name on McCarthy's secret list of designated successors — a list required under House rules — McHenry assumed the role of presiding officer on a temporary basis.[7]

McHenry served as Speaker pro tempore for 22 days, from October 3 to October 25, 2023, during which the House Republican Conference engaged in a contentious and prolonged process to select a new Speaker. During this period, the House was largely unable to conduct regular legislative business, as the Speaker pro tempore role carried limited authority compared to that of a full Speaker. The situation highlighted tensions within the Republican caucus and drew significant national media attention.[7]

McHenry's handling of the role drew both praise and scrutiny. He presided over a chamber in a state of institutional uncertainty, navigating the procedural complexities of operating without a fully empowered Speaker. The episode concluded on October 25, 2023, when Mike Johnson of Louisiana was elected Speaker of the House, allowing McHenry to return to his role as chair of the Financial Services Committee.[7]

In September 2025, months after leaving Congress, McHenry returned to the Capitol to claim an award and reflected publicly on his experience during the speakership crisis. In an interview with Roll Call, he discussed the chaos and resilience of the legislative process during those 22 days, offering perspective on the institutional challenges the House faced during the period.[7]

Retirement from Congress

McHenry announced that he would not seek re-election in 2024, concluding a 20-year career in the House of Representatives. He served his final term through January 2025, continuing to chair the Financial Services Committee until the end of the 118th Congress.[5]

Post-Congressional Career

After leaving Congress in January 2025, McHenry transitioned into the private sector, leveraging his expertise in financial regulation and technology policy. He became involved in advocacy and advisory work related to emerging financial markets, particularly prediction markets and financial technology.

In January 2026, the Coalition for Prediction Markets (CPM), described as a bipartisan coalition dedicated to preserving fair and transparent access to prediction markets, announced that McHenry would serve as chairman and senior advisor. The organization simultaneously named former Democratic Representative Sean Patrick Maloney as its CEO and president, giving the coalition a bipartisan leadership structure.[8]

The coalition's stated goal was to ensure that federal law, rather than state regulations, would govern the prediction markets industry.[9] McHenry and Maloney both spoke publicly about the rapidly expanding prediction markets sector, discussing the regulatory and policy landscape with media outlets.[10]

McHenry also maintained a public profile as a commentator on congressional affairs and financial policy. In January 2026, he was interviewed by Politico for its "Digital Future Daily" newsletter, discussing technology policy and related issues.[11] He also appeared on Bloomberg to discuss government funding votes and other congressional matters, drawing on his experience as a former senior legislator.[12]

McHenry's transition from Congress to the prediction markets industry drew attention from observers who tracked the movement of former lawmakers into private-sector roles related to their former areas of legislative responsibility. The American Prospect published an article in May 2025 examining McHenry's post-congressional activities in relation to the cryptocurrency and digital assets sectors, noting his role as an advisor in the space.[13]

Personal Life

Patrick McHenry was born and raised in Gastonia, North Carolina, and maintained his residence in the western North Carolina region throughout his congressional career.[3] He represented a district rooted in the Piedmont and foothills communities of the state, an area he knew from childhood.

Recognition

In September 2025, McHenry returned to the United States Capitol to receive an award, the specifics of which were reported in connection with his reflections on his time as Speaker pro tempore. The occasion provided an opportunity for McHenry to discuss his congressional career and the events of October 2023 with reporters and former colleagues.[7]

During his time in Congress, McHenry's work on the House Financial Services Committee earned him a reputation as one of the Republican Party's leading figures on financial regulation and technology policy. His chairmanship of the committee during the 118th Congress (2023–2025) represented the culmination of years of work on the panel, including his service as ranking member during the 116th and 117th Congresses.[5]

McHenry's role as Speaker pro tempore, while brief, represented a historically notable moment. He was the first person to hold that designation under the circumstances of a Speaker's removal through a motion to vacate, a procedural mechanism that had not been successfully invoked since 1910 and had never previously resulted in the actual removal of a sitting Speaker.[7]

Legacy

McHenry's two-decade career in the House of Representatives left a mark on several areas of legislative policy, most notably in the realm of financial services regulation and the emerging framework for digital assets. As the chair and ranking member of the Financial Services Committee, he was involved in shaping the congressional approach to cryptocurrency regulation, fintech innovation, and market structure reform during a period of rapid technological change in the financial industry.

His 22-day tenure as Speaker pro tempore in October 2023 remains one of the most unusual episodes in modern House history. The removal of Speaker McCarthy and the subsequent leadership vacuum tested the institutional resilience of the House, and McHenry's role in presiding over the chamber during that period became a subject of historical and political analysis. In his own reflections on the experience, delivered upon his return to the Capitol in September 2025, McHenry spoke about the themes of chaos and resilience in the legislative process.[7]

McHenry's post-congressional career in the prediction markets and financial technology sectors reflected broader trends in the movement of former lawmakers into advocacy and advisory roles in industries they previously regulated. His bipartisan partnership with former Democratic Representative Sean Patrick Maloney at the Coalition for Prediction Markets illustrated the cross-party nature of certain financial technology policy debates.[8]

As the dean of North Carolina's congressional delegation at the time of his retirement, McHenry's departure from Congress marked the end of an era for the state's representation in Washington. His long tenure in the 10th congressional district, which he represented from its pre-redistricting configuration through multiple boundary changes, reflected both his personal electoral strength and the consistently Republican character of the western North Carolina region he called home.[5]

References

  1. ↑ "Patrick McHenry looks back on three weeks in the hot seat".Roll Call.September 16, 2025.https://rollcall.com/2025/09/16/patrick-mchenry-looks-back-on-three-weeks-in-the-hot-seat/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  2. ↑ "Prediction markets group bets on two connected former lawmakers".Axios.January 13, 2026.https://www.axios.com/2026/01/13/coalition-for-prediction-markets-maloney-mchenry.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 "McHenry, Patrick T.".Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=M001156.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  4. ↑ "Patrick McHenry - Candidate Detail".Our Campaigns.http://www.ourcampaigns.com/CandidateDetail.html?CandidateID=10402.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 5.8 "Representative Patrick McHenry".Congress.gov.https://www.congress.gov/member/patrick-mchenry/1792.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  6. ↑ "Patrick McHenry - Candidate".Federal Election Commission.https://www.fec.gov/data/candidate/H4NC10047.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 "Patrick McHenry looks back on three weeks in the hot seat".Roll Call.September 16, 2025.https://rollcall.com/2025/09/16/patrick-mchenry-looks-back-on-three-weeks-in-the-hot-seat/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "The Coalition for Prediction Markets Names Former U.S. Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney as CEO and President and Chairman Patrick McHenry as Senior Advisor".PR Newswire.January 2026.https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-coalition-for-prediction-markets-names-former-us-congressman-sean-patrick-maloney-as-ceo-and-president-and-chairman-patrick-mchenry-as-senior-advisor-302659139.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  9. ↑ "Prediction markets group bets on two connected former lawmakers".Axios.January 13, 2026.https://www.axios.com/2026/01/13/coalition-for-prediction-markets-maloney-mchenry.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  10. ↑ "Former lawmakers turn their attention to rapidly expanding prediction markets".Spectrum News.February 11, 2026.https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nc/charlotte/news/2026/02/11/prediction-market-kalshi-polymarket-mchenry.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  11. ↑ "5 Questions for Patrick McHenry".Politico.January 16, 2026.https://www.politico.com/newsletters/digital-future-daily/2026/01/16/5-questions-for-patrick-mchenry-00733800.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  12. ↑ "Watch Patrick McHenry on Govt. Funding Vote, Kevin Warsh".Bloomberg.January 31, 2026.https://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2026-01-31/patrick-mchenry-on-govt-funding-vote-kevin-warsh-video.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  13. ↑ "Senior Advisor McHenry at Your Crypto Service".The American Prospect.May 7, 2025.https://prospect.org/2025/05/07/2025-05-07-senior-advisor-mchenry-at-your-crypto-service/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.

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