VIDEO: Courage for America Bus Tour Stops in Charlotte to Demand Rep. McHenry “Back Off Our Benefits”
Advocates Ramp Up Pressure on MAGA Republicans Ahead of McCarthy’s 100th Day
Photos, Audio, and Tour Information Available in Our Press Kit
(All images free for use with credit to Courage for America)
CHARLOTTE, NC — Today, as part of its nationwide “Back Off Our Benefits” bus tour, Courage for America joined local advocates to demand that Congressman Patrick McHenry (NC-10) promise his constituents that he will not cut essential programs that Americans rely on ahead of the looming default deadline — including Social Security, Medicare, SNAP, and veterans’ benefits.
Constituents of Rep. McHenry, including local advocates and veterans with Common Defense, joined Courage for America to highlight how MAGA lawmakers’ political games are pushing the country towards a default crisis at the expense of American seniors, veterans, and children.
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Here’s what speakers had to say about MAGA lawmakers’ extreme agenda:
Laura Packard, a Courage for America spokesperson and executive director of Health Care Voter:
- “We’re calling on extreme members of the Republican House majority, including Rep. McHenry here in Asheville, to sign a promise [that] they must protect the essential benefits Americans rely on and stop playing political games with the default crisis.”
- “House Republicans, including Rep. McHenry here in Charlotte, are risking a major global economic crisis to score political points. So we’re here to ask Rep. McHenry a final time to promise his constituents that he’ll back off our hard-earned benefits and stop playing politics with our livelihoods.”
Skyleigh Heinen, a disabled U.S. Army veteran:
- “Republicans, especially here in North Carolina, have voted against veterans’ care time after time. […] Cutting any much-needed funding for veterans’ health care would be sacrificing those who served for the benefit of protecting the rich. I could not imagine how I would survive.”
- “This is what will happen: Social Security checks will stop. Medicaid and Medicare freezes. Veterans lose their health care. Six million people could lose their jobs. Small businesses could go under. Banks will run out of money. Homebuyers are locked out, and regular investors could lose everything.”
- “I demand Republicans back off our benefits. Show Americans that you do care for those who served this country with honor and integrity.”
Stacy Staggs, director of community engagement for Little Lobbyists:
- “You can’t tell me you care about kids and then take away programs that help them. You can’t tell me you care about veterans and retirees, and then take away benefits that help them.”
- “I’m just here as a mom and a North Carolina voter in this district. One-in-eight people use SNAP benefits. […] As Congress goes forward, I’m going to ask you all to back off our benefits. Leave the programs in place, improve and protect those programs.”
Tariq Smith, a veteran and Common Defense member:
- “I think about those millions of people with similar stories who wake up every day and do everything our country asks of them, only to have to see extreme MAGA politicians hold our national economy hostage and cavalierly call for gutting veterans’ support, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and other similar programs. I think about the folks who’ve served in the military or paid into Social Security for decades, only to get home at night, turn on the news each night, and hear out-of-touch politicians call [them] entitlements.”
- “I’m proud to stand with the people here today and millions of other Americans all across the country to call on Patrick McHenry, Dan Bishop, and other extreme Republicans in Congress to promise to protect the hard-earned benefits that millions of Americans count on each and every day.”
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