Daniel Johnson raised more than $45,000 than his opponent, two-term incumbent Congressman Patrick McHenry, during the most recent fundraising period.

This week the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, of which Patrick McHenry is a member, held hearings on the causes of the current financial crisis.

Last night in Lincolnton, Daniel Johnson and Congressman Patrick McHenry met for the first of four forums scheduled throughout North Carolina's 10th Congressional District.

Daniel Johnson released the following statement on Congressman Patrick McHenry's role in the current financial crisis:

Once again, Congressman Patrick McHenry has chosen big banks and credit card companies over the families and small businesses of Western North Carolina.

Congressman Patrick McHenry's office says that he will be visiting Western North Carolina this week, and his office says he wants to talk about how to lower gas prices. But up in Washington, D.C., Congressman McHenry votes "no" to every attempt to establish a comprehensive energy policy that would lower gas prices for working families.

-McHenry voted "no" to requiring oil companies to drill on the 68 million acres that they already hold leases for, which could produce 4.8 million barrels of oil and 44.7 billion cubic feet of natural gas daily (H.R. 6251, 6/26/08). Drilling on these public lands could double U.S. oil production and cut oil imports by one-third.

Misses Another Chance to Lower Gas Prices

Today Congressman Patrick McHenry voted against providing Western North Carolina families with relief from high gas prices. Congressman McHenry voted against H.R. 6604, the Commodity Market Transparency and Accountability Act, which would crack down on excessive energy speculation that artificially drives up the cost of a barrel of oil.