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{{Short description|American politician (born 1955)}}{{for|other people with this or similar names|Patrick Meehan (disambiguation)}}

factoids

|term_start = January 3, 2011|term_end = April 27, 2018|predecessor = Joe Sestak|successor = Mary Gay ScanlonUnited States Attorney for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania>Eastern District of Pennsylvania|president1 = George W. Bush|term_start1 = September 17, 2001|term_end1 = July 15, 2008|predecessor1 = Michael R. Stiles|successor1 = Laurie Magid (Acting)Delaware County, Pennsylvania>Delaware County|term_start2 = January 9, 1996|term_end2 = September 17, 2001|predecessor2 = William H. Ryan Jr.|successor2 = Patricia Holsten|birth_name = Patrick Leo Meehan195520}}Cheltenham Township, Pennsylvania>Cheltenham, Pennsylvania, U.S.|death_date = |death_place = Republican Party (United States)>Republican|spouse = Carolyn MeehanBowdoin College (Bachelor of Arts>BA)Temple University (JD)}}Patrick Leo Meehan (born October 20, 1955) is a former American Republican Party politician and federal prosecutor from Pennsylvania who represented parts of Delaware, Chester, Montgomery, Berks, and Lancaster counties in the United States House of Representatives from 2011 until his resignation in 2018. He succeeded Democrat Joe Sestak, who ran unsuccessfully for the United States Senate.A graduate of Bowdoin College and Temple University, Meehan previously served as United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania (2001–2008) and as district attorney of Delaware County, Pennsylvania (1996–2001).In January 2018, following the revelation that he used taxpayers’ money to settle a sexual harassment claim brought by a female staff member, Meehan announced that he would retire from Congress at the end of his current term, and not seek re-election in 2018.NEWS, Tamari, Jonathan, January 25, 2018, Rep. Pat Meehan will not seek reelection after sexual harassment furor,www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/rep-pat-meehan-will-not-seek-reelection-after-sexual-harassment-furor-20180125.html, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia, PA, January 25, 2018, On April 27, 2018, Meehan resigned and said he would pay back the taxpayer funds used for the settlement.NEWS, Tamari, Jonathan, Rep. Pat Meehan resigns; will pay back $39,000 used for harassment settlement,www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/pat-meehan-pa-resigns-will-pay-back-sexual-harassment-settlement-20180427.html, 27 April 2018, The Philadelphia Inquirer, April 27, 2018, Democrat Mary Gay Scanlon won both a special and general election on the day of that year’s midterms in November to succeed him.

Early life

Born and raised in Cheltenham Township, Pennsylvania by his parents Leo and Julia, Meehan is one of four siblings.He attended Bowdoin College in Maine, graduating in 1978 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. While at Bowdoin, Meehan was a standout hockey player and went on to work as a National Hockey League referee from 1979 to 1982.BOOK, 2014 Almanac of American Politics, Barone, Chuck, McCutcheon, Michael, The University of Chicago Press, 2013, Meehan attended Temple Law School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and graduated in 1986 with his Juris Doctor degree.WEB,bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=M001181, Meehan, Patrick – Biographical Information, bioguide.congress.gov, United States Congress, August 7, 2017, Meehan’s career in public service and politics began in 1979 when he worked with Republican candidate David Marston on his Philadelphia mayoral campaign. A year later, he worked on Roy Zimmerman’s campaign for Pennsylvania Attorney General. Meehan went on to serve as Special Counsel to U.S. Senator Arlen Specter. He was a campaign manager for U.S. Senator Rick Santorum, Philadelphia D.A. Ron Castille, and State Attorney General Ernie Preate.Joseph A. Slobozian, “A decisive, focused style from new U.S. attorney.” The Philadelphia Inquirer. 9/15/2001; Pg. B01 After graduating from law school in 1986, Meehan went to work as an associate at the law firm Dilworth Paxson LLP.

District Attorney (1996–2001)

In 1995 and 1999, Meehan was elected the District Attorney of Delaware County as a Republican. During Meehan’s tenure, his staff prosecuted several high-profile cases, including the Du Pont Murder Trial, (a case involving the murder of Olympic wrestler David Schultz by his millionaire benefactor John Eleuthère du Pont) and the 1996 murder of a 22-year-old college student named Aimee Willard (who was abducted from Route 476 and found in an abandoned lot in North Philadelphia).While serving as District Attorney, Meehan set up the Special Victims Unit for Domestic Violence in Delaware County, offering victims protection from their alleged abusers by allowing the prosecution to occur without the victims testifying in open court.NEWS, Lynch, Danielle, Meehan, Badey square off in 7th Congressional District race,www.delcotimes.com/article/DC/20121028/NEWS/310289970, 24 May 2016, Daily Times News, October 28, 2012, As D.A., he also focused on protecting youth by expanding the Youth Aid Panel program for first time offenders and creating a truancy project to limit youth-related crime during the day. Meehan established the United States Department of Justice’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) in Pennsylvania. The ICAC is a special unit of detectives who investigate online predators on the web and bring them to justice; it has become a model across the country.

U.S. Attorney (2001–2008)

Meehan became the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania on September 17, 2001, six days after the September 11, 2001 attacks. He was appointed by President George W. Bush and confirmed by the United States Senate. Meehan headed an office of over 200 lawyers and staff backed up by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Office. As U.S. Attorney, Meehan made terrorism, gang-related crime, child internet safety, and public corruption priorities for his criminal division. Public corruption in Philadelphia in particular was brought to the spotlight in 2003 when an FBI electronic listening device was found in the Philadelphia Mayor’s office.In light of the September 11 terrorist attacks, Meehan formed the Anti-Terrorism Task Force (ATTF), later renamed the Anti-Terrorism Advisory Council (ATAC) in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania to evaluate and prevent future terrorist attacks. This initiative was done in partnership with local, state and federal law enforcement and emergency responders. The ATAC has led large-scale exercises on biological attacks and the poisoning of the food supply in partnership with Saint Joseph’s University in order to help Eastern Pennsylvania prepare for terrorist attacks.WEB, U.S. Attorney Patrick L. Meehan (Official Bio),www.usdoj.gov/usao/pae/usa.html, dead,www.justice.gov/usao/pae/usa.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20080218200002www.justice.gov/usao/pae/usa.html,">web.archive.org/web/20080218200002www.justice.gov/usao/pae/usa.html, February 18, 2008, May 8, 2017, Recognizing the expansion of gang-related activity in the eastern part of Pennsylvania, Meehan sought a $2.5 million Department of Justice grant to fight and prevent gang violence for the region. The unique “Route 222 Corridor Anti-Gang Initiative” brought together elected officials and law enforcement personnel with community groups to fight gangs in a rural area unfamiliar with big-city gang violence. The money was divided among enforcement, prevention and rehabilitation. The program aimed not only to increase arrests, but also to fund school programs and community centers to educate youth about alternatives to gang life.Continuing the work he began while he was Delaware County D.A., Meehan made child safety on the internet a priority, sponsoring internet safety training seminars with Web Wise Kids and visiting local schools. Meehan’s office prosecuted substandard nursing homes and elder care facilities, and nefarious lenders who offered ill-advised loans to disadvantaged homeowners. The U.S. Attorney’s Office under Meehan was nationally recognized for its work in the field of health-care fraud. The office won more than half a billion dollars in settlements against some of the largest pharmaceutical companies and pharmacy benefit managers, ensuring better self-policing and oversight by the industry.NEWS, J.F., Pirro, Justice Served (Straight Up), Mainline Today, July 11, 2007,www.mainlinetoday.com/ME2/Audiences/dirmod.asp?sid=B5549CFD24E64BAC93E11938AD51A18C&nm=&type=Publishing&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle&mid=8F3A7027421841978F18BE895F87F791&tier=4&id=1AED076692D1474F883AE0D030F88D25&AudID=18572880BDE043E69679E179E578B1AC, {{dead link |date=May 2017 |fix-attempted=yes }}He announced on July 16, 2008, that he was joining the Philadelphia law firm of Conrad O’Brien Gellman & Rohn.NEWS,www.philly.com/philly/hp/news_update/20080707_U_S__Attorney_Pat_Meehan_to_step_down.html, U.S. Attorney Pat Meehan to step down, Lounsberry, Emilie, July 7, 2008, The Philadelphia Inquirer, July 7, 2008,

Public corruption cases

Though he has been active in a wide variety of areas, it has been several high-profile public corruption cases that have put Meehan in the headlines. Meehan has said, “Pay to play cannot be standard operating procedure in city government.“NEWS, Mark, Fazlollah, Joseph, Tanfani, Probe reveals city’s shadow government, The Philadelphia Inquirer, June 30, 2004, A01, This was brought to national attention on October 7, 2003, when Philadelphia Police conducted a sweep of Mayor John F. Street’s office and found an electronic listening device. It was later discovered that the “bug” had been planted by the FBI as part of a city corruption investigation. Street was never charged in the investigation. Philadelphia officials and the mayor were outraged, especially with the timing coinciding with the Philadelphia mayoral election on November 4, 2003. Street’s campaign spokesman accused the federal government of attempting to influence the election (which Street ended up winning anyway).NEWS, Nicole Weisensee, Egan, Meehan ‘Plays It Straight’; U.S. Attorney Lauded As Man of Integrity, Philadelphia Daily News, October 9, 2003, 06, Meehan was applauded in the press and in the city for his handling of the situation, which resulted in twelve indictments including that of Street confidant Ronald White (who died before he could stand trial) and city treasurer Corey Kemp, who was convicted and sentenced to ten years in federal prison.NEWS, Michael, Hinkelman, 5 guilty in City Hall corruption case appeal convictions, Philadelphia Daily News, June 6, 2007, 06, Other city officials prosecuted by Meehan’s office included former city councilman Rick Mariano (who was sentenced to six and a half years in federal prison for accepting bribes and attempting to influence city contracts), the President of the Independence Seaport Museum John S. Carter (who was sentenced to 15 years for cheating the museum out of $1.5 million), Montgomery County accountant Denis Shusterman (for embezzling $10 million, he received a 14-year sentence),NEWS, John, Shiffman, Big jail time for museum cheat; John Carter, The Philadelphia Inquirer, November 3, 2007, A01, and State Senator Vincent Fumo (who was convicted on a 139-count indictment including fraud, conspiracy and obstruction of justice charges carrying a ten-year sentence).NEWS, Craig R., McCoy, John, Shiffman, The Case Against Fumo, The Philadelphia Inquirer, February 7, 2007, State and Regional News, Meehan was appointed to the United States House Committee on Ethics during the 113th Congress, summarily removed January 2018 by the Speaker of the House from the U.S. House Ethics Committee, and directed to repay to taxpayers the full cost of his secret sexual harassment settlement.NEWS, Bowden, John,thehill.com/homenews/house/369951-gop-rep-loses-spot-on-ethics-committee-over-sexual-harassment-settlement/, GOP rep loses spot on Ethics Committee over sexual harassment settlement, January 20, 2018, The Hill, January 20, 2018,

U.S. House of Representatives (2011–2018)

Elections

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2010

{{See also|2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Pennsylvania#District 7}}Meehan began his campaign for Pennsylvania governor in 2008.NEWS,www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/opinion/columnists/bumsted/s_577355.html, Opinion: The GOP shootout for governor, July 13, 2008, Trib Live, Brad, Bumsted, May 8, 2017,triblive.co" title="web.archive.org/web/20160311003727triblive.co">web.archive.org/web/20160311003727triblive.cox/pittsburghtrib/opinion/columnists/bumsted/s_577355.html, March 11, 2016, dead, On August 7, 2009, however, he announced that he was ending his exploratory bid and would instead run for Congress. Reports indicated that another candidate, Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett, was too far ahead of Meehan in fundraising and endorsements.NEWS, http:www.philly.com/philly/blogs/harrisburg_politics/Meehan_quits_governors_race.html, Meehan quits governor’s race, August 7, 2009, Thomas, Fitzgerald, The Philadelphia Inquirer, May 8, 2017, Meehan ran in Pennsylvania’s 7th congressional district election, vacated by Joe Sestak, who defeated U.S. Senator Arlen Specter in 2010 in the Democratic Party primary, but lost to Republican Pat Toomey in the general election. Meehan ran unopposed for the Republican Party nomination in the May 18, 2010, Republican primary.To appear on the primary election ballot a candidate for Congress in Pennsylvania is required to collect valid signatures of 1,000 registered voters in the congressional district. When evidence of fraud in some of Meehan’s petitions was discovered by the Meehan campaign, Meehan alerted the Delaware County District Attorney. Michael Green, the District Attorney and Meehan supporter, turned over the matter to the office of the Pennsylvania Attorney General. Because the Attorney General, Tom Corbett, is the Republican candidate for governor, Lentz requested that the United States Department of Justice take over the investigation.NEWS,www.delcotimes.com/articles/2010/04/02/news/doc4bb5576c406e2863018321.txt, Lentz continues to petition for probe of Meehan camp, April 2, 2010, Timothy, Logue, Delaware County Daily Times, Paul Summers, a Republican campaign operative and volunteer, was charged with seven counts of forgery and seven counts of making false signatures.WEB,www.attorneygeneral.gov/press.aspx?id=5942, Delaware County man charged with forging information on Congressional election petitions, February 2, 2011, May 8, 2017,www.attorneygeneral.gov/press.aspx?id=5942," title="web.archive.org/web/20110930164042www.attorneygeneral.gov/press.aspx?id=5942,">web.archive.org/web/20110930164042www.attorneygeneral.gov/press.aspx?id=5942, September 30, 2011, dead, Pennsylvania Attorney General, He was convicted on seven of the charges after pleading guilty as part of a plea-bargain deal.NEWS,www.delcotimes.com/articles/2011/04/05/news/doc4d9a8e5935767035537575.txt?viewmode=fullstory, Upper Darby man guilty in Meehan petition flap, April 5, 2011, May 8, 2017, Marlene, DiGiacomo, The Delaware County Daily Times, Meehan defeated Democratic State Representative Bryan Lentz 55%–44%.NEWS,www.politico.com/2012-election/map/#/House/2010/PA,www.politico.com/2012-election/map/#/House/2010/PA," title="web.archive.org/web/20120106013744www.politico.com/2012-election/map/#/House/2010/PA,">web.archive.org/web/20120106013744www.politico.com/2012-election/map/#/House/2010/PA, dead, 2012-01-06, 2010 Election Results, Politico, NEWS,www.delcotimes.com/articles/2010/05/19/news/doc4bf36448ea897230156378.txt, Sestak shocks the world as voters dump Specter, Alex, Rose, May 18, 2010, The Delaware County Daily Times, May 8, 2017, WEB,www.rollcall.com/news/37666-1.html?type=printer_friendly, Top Recruit Poised to Enter Race for Sestak Seat, Roll Call, August 7, 2009, August 23, 2010,

2012

{{See also|2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Pennsylvania#District 7}}Meehan won re-election to a second term with 60% of the vote over Democrat George Badey.NEWS,www.politico.com/2012-election/results/map/#/House/2012/PA, 2012 Election Results Map by State, May 8, 2017, Politico, November 29, 2012,

2014

{{See also|2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Pennsylvania#District 7}}Meehan won re-election in 2014, defeating Democrat Mary Ellen Balchunis with 62% of the vote.WEB, 2014 General Election,www.electionreturns.state.pa.us/Default.aspx?EID=41&ESTID=2&CID=0&OID=11&CDID=0&PID=0&DISTID=0&IsSpecial=0&PageRefID=1, Pennsylvania Department of State, 24 May 2016, dead,www.electionreturns.state.pa.us/Default.aspx?EID=41&ESTID=2&CID=0&OID=11&CDID=0&PID=0&DISTID=0&IsSpecial=0&PageRefID=1," title="web.archive.org/web/20150215091446www.electionreturns.state.pa.us/Default.aspx?EID=41&ESTID=2&CID=0&OID=11&CDID=0&PID=0&DISTID=0&IsSpecial=0&PageRefID=1,">web.archive.org/web/20150215091446www.electionreturns.state.pa.us/Default.aspx?EID=41&ESTID=2&CID=0&OID=11&CDID=0&PID=0&DISTID=0&IsSpecial=0&PageRefID=1, 15 February 2015,

2016

{{See also|2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Pennsylvania#District 7}}Meehan ran for re-election in 2016. He defeated Stan Casacio in the Republican primary.NEWS, Rose, Alex, Meehan, Balchunis win right to run for Congress in 7th District,www.dailylocal.com/article/DL/20160427/NEWS/160429815, May 24, 2016, Daily Local News, April 27, 2016, He defeated Democrat Mary Ellen Balchunis in the general election with 60% of the vote.NEWS, Pennsylvania U.S. House 7th District Results: Patrick Meehan Wins,www.nytimes.com/elections/results/pennsylvania-house-district-7-meehan-balchunis, 16 November 2016, The New York Times, November 15, 2016, The general election was held on November 8, 2016. As the election concluded, Meehan easily won another term with 219,314 votes, which was 59.7%.NEWS,www.nytimes.com/elections/results/pennsylvania-house-district-7-meehan-balchunis, Pennsylvania U.S. House 7th District Results: Patrick Meehan Wins, December 13, 2016, May 8, 2017, The New York Times, WEB,ballotpedia.org/Pennsylvania%27s_7th_Congressional_District_election,_2016, Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District election, 2016, Ballotpedia, May 8, 2017, Meehan won all the counties in the 7th Congressional District that include Delaware, Montgomery, Chester, Berks, and Lancaster counties. This is Meehan’s fourth term in the 7th Congressional District. This election was a rematch of the election between Meehan and Balchinis in 2014.NEWS,www.phillyvoice.com/2016-pennsylvania-general-election-what-you-need-know/, 2016 Pennsylvania general election: What you need to know, Philly Voice, November 7, 2016, May 8, 2017, John, Kopp, The difference between this election and the one in 2014 is that this election occurred during a Presidential election year.NEWS,www.dailylocal.com/article/DL/20161024/NEWS/161029897, Rematch: It’s Meehan vs. Balchunis in 7th District, Daily Local News, October 24, 2016, May 8, 2017, Kathleen E., Carey, Politics, Meehan’s 7th district had been considered the poster child for egregious gerrymandering and its shape compared to an alien character from the classic arcade game Space Invaders.NEWS, Dividing Lines: How Pennsylvania’s elections really are rigged,keystonecrossroads.atavist.com/dividing-lines-how-pennsylvanias-elections-really-are-rigged, January 22, 2018, Keystone Crossroads, Lindsay, Lazarski, In January 2018, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled the boundaries of the 7th and other Pennsylvania districts as unconstitutional.NEWS, Pennsylvania Supreme Court strikes down state’s congressional districts,www.cbsnews.com/news/pennsylvania-supreme-court-strikes-down-states-congressional-districts-gerrymandering/, January 22, 2018, CBS News, January 22, 2018, Associated Press, On April 27, 2018, Meehan resigned from Congress amid sexual misconduct allegations.WEB,ballotpedia.org/Patrick_Meehan, Patrick Meehan, BallotPedia, November 4, 2019,

Tenure

Meehan was sworn in on January 5, 2011. He was appointed to serve as one of three freshman members on the House Republican Steering Committee and became one of the few{{Quantify|date=January 2018}} House freshmen to chair a subcommittee. Meehan was ranked as the 35th most bipartisan member of the U.S. House of Representatives during the 114th United States Congress (and the second most bipartisan member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania) in the Bipartisan Index created by The Lugar Center and the McCourt School of Public Policy.{{Citation|url=http://www.thelugarcenter.org/assets/htmldocuments/The%20Lugar%20Center%20-%20McCourt%20School%20Bipartisan%20Index%20114th%20Congress%20House%20Scores.pdf|title=The Lugar Center – McCourt School Bipartisan Index|publisher=The Lugar Center|date=March 7, 2016|access-date=April 30, 2017}}Meehan supported reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act.NEWS, Jennifer, Bendery, Jennifer Bendery,www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/11/violence-against-women-act-john-boehner-eric-cantor_n_2278549.html, Violence Against Women Act: John Boehner, Eric Cantor Pressured By Republicans To Act, 11 December 2012, The Huffington Post, In February 2017, while serving on the Ways and Means Committee, he voted against a measure that would have led to a request of the Treasury Department for President Donald Trump’s tax returns.NEWS,www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/02/these-23-republicans-passed-on-a-chance-to-get-trumps-tax-returns/516768/, These 23 Republicans Passed on a Chance to Get Trump’s Tax Returns, Friedersdorf, Conor, The Atlantic, 2017-02-16, en-US, The measure failed 23–15 on a party-line, with all 23 Republicans voting against the measure.

Committee assignments

• Committee on Homeland Security
  • Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence
  • Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies (Chairman)
• Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
  • Subcommittee on TARP, Financial Services and Bailouts of Public and Private Programs
  • Subcommittee on Technology, Information Policy, Intergovernmental Relations and Procurement Reform
• United States House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
  • United States House Transportation Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials
  • United States House Transportation Subcommittee on Aviation
  • United States House Transportation Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management
• United States House Committee on Ethics

Political positions

Economy

As far as fiscal policy, he voted for the Budget Control Act of 2011,WEB,clerk.house.gov/evs/2011/roll690.xml, Final Vote Results for Roll Call 690, May 8, 2017, August 1, 2011, Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives, Cut, Cap and Balance Act,WEB,clerk.house.gov/evs/2011/roll606.xml, Final Vote Results for Roll Call 606, May 8, 2017, July 19, 2011, Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives, and voted to defund NPR.NEWS,projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/112/house/1/votes/192/, The Washington Post, To stop federal funding of National Public Radio, March 17, 2011, May 8, 2017, Among bills that became law, he voted for the Leahy-Smith America Invents ActWEB,clerk.house.gov/evs/2011/roll491.xml, Final Vote Results for Roll Call 491, May 8, 2017, June 23, 2011, Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives, and to extend the Patriot Act.NEWS,projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/112/house/1/votes/36/, The Washington Post, Extend three provisions of the Patriot Act, February 14, 2011, May 8, 2017, Meehan has introduced the Jump Start for Job Creators Act, legislation that would encourage entrepreneurs to create jobs by increasing the maximum tax deduction for small business start-up expenses.NEWS,www.delcotimes.com/articles/2011/10/30/news/doc4eace23de95bc015427731.txt, The Delaware County Daily Times, October 30, 2011, Meehan touts small business bill, May 8, 2017, Danielle, Lynch, Meehan has led the effort to preserve funding for the V-22 Osprey, an advanced military aircraft manufactured in Meehan’s district.NEWS,www.dailylocal.com/articles/2011/07/13/business/srv0000012450967.txt, unknown title, Daily Local News, July 13, 2011, {{dead link |date=May 2017 |fix-attempted=yes }}In June, Meehan announced that six Chester County fire companies in Pennsylvania will receive $430,000 in federal grants to purchase new radios and rescue equipment.NEWS,www.dailylocal.com/article/20130624/NEWS01/130629837/6-chester-county-fire-companies-receive-grants#full_story, 6 Chester County fire companies receive grants, June 24, 2013, Daily Local News, May 8, 2017, In November 2015, Meehan’s H.R. 1314, The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, was enacted into law,WEB,www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/1314, H.R.1314 – Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, congress.gov, 2 November 2015, May 8, 2017, avoiding a government shutdown.NEWS,www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/house-passes-sweeping-two-year-bipartisan-budget-deal-n453226, House Passes Sweeping Two-Year Bipartisan Budget Deal, October 28, 2015, May 8, 2017, Alex, Moe, NBC News,

Healthcare

Meehan has voted to repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.NEWS,www.delcotimes.com/article/DC/20170118/NEWS/170119619, Delaware County Daily Times, Meehan outlines stance on repeal of Obamacare, January 19, 2017, January 15, 2018, Kathleen E., Carey, Meehan’s voted repeatedly over the years to kill the program, NEWS,www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-pa-house-health-care-vote-20170504-story.html, The Morning Call, 4 Pennsylvania GOP congressmen vote against House bill to replace Obamacare, Laura, Olson, May 5, 2017, January 15, 2018, Meehan, of Delaware County, voted for the earlier bill in a House committee, but backed away, Although he voted the bill out of Ways and Means Committee, Meehan opposed his own party and voted against the American Health Care Act of 2017, arguing that the bill’s economic effects were insufficiently known and that the replacement did not adequately fund insurance for sick people.NEWS,www.cnn.com/2017/05/04/politics/kfile-pat-meehan-obamacare/index.html, GOP congressman: Republicans doing same things we criticized Democrats for doing on Obamacare, CNN, May 4, 2017, May 8, 2017, Chris, Massie,

Homeland security

On November 14, 2013, Meehan introduced the Preclearance Authorization Act of 2014 (H.R. 3488; 113th Congress), a bill that would authorize the United States Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish preclearance facilities, conduct preclearance operations, or provide customs services outside of the United States of America to prevent terrorists, terrorist instruments, and other national security threats from gaining access to the United States.WEB,beta.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/3488, H.R. 3488 – Summary, United States Congress, 7 July 2014, On February 6, 2014, Meehan introduced the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards Program Authorization and Accountability Act of 2014 (H.R. 4007; 113th Congress), a bill that would make permanent the United States Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS’s) authority to regulate security at certain chemical facilities in the United States.WEB,www.cbo.gov/publication/45405, CBO – H.R. 4007, 30 May 2014, Congressional Budget Office, 7 July 2014, Under the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program, DHS collects and reviews information from chemical facilities in the United States to determine which facilities present security risks and then requires them to write and enact security plans.As a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, Meehan chairs the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence. Meehan has held hearings to investigate issues such as Iran’s ties to terrorism and the risks posed by extremists in Pakistan.WEB,www.politicspa.com/meehan-chairs-hearing-on-pakistan-threats/23980/, Politics PA, Meehan Chairs Hearing on Pakistan Threats, Laura, Bonawits, May 3, 2011, May 8, 2017,

Other

Meehan introduced legislation, titled the ‘Critical Infrastructure Research and Development Advancement Act of 2013’ (CIRDA), that passed the subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection and Security Technologies in 2013. The bill aims to make key improvements in security for important infrastructure. The measure calls for expansion in research and development for security technology as well as implementing a new strategy in dealing with cyber threats that the Department of Homeland Security faces. This bill would also streamline sharing of these technologies to many other branches of government, thus making them more secure as a whole.NEWS, Bipartisan CIRDA Act passes subcommittee,riponadvance.com/news/bipartisan-cirda-act-passes-subcommittee/4867, 30 September 2013, Ripon Advance, 25 September 2013, dead,riponadvance.com/news/bipartisan-cirda-act-passes-subcommittee/4867," title="archive.today/20130930142549riponadvance.com/news/bipartisan-cirda-act-passes-subcommittee/4867,">archive.today/20130930142549riponadvance.com/news/bipartisan-cirda-act-passes-subcommittee/4867, 30 September 2013, WEB, Subcommittee Markup: H.R. 2952 CIRDA Act of 2013 and H.R. 3107 the Homeland Security Cybersecurity Boots-on-the-Ground Act,homeland.house.gov/markup/subcommittee-markup-hr-2952-cirda-act-2013-and-hr-homeland-security-cybersecurity-boots, U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security, 30 September 2013, In 2013, Meehan introduced a bill called the Critical Infrastructure Research and Development Advancement Act of 2013 (H.R. 2952; 113th Congress). If signed into law, the bill would require more oversight of the Department of Homeland Security’s cybersecurity goals, according to Ripon Advance. The bill would require DHS to transmit to the Congress a strategic plan for research and development efforts addressing the protection of critical infrastructure and a report on departmental use of public-private consortiums to develop technology to protect such infrastructure.WEB, CBO – H.R. 2952, 6 November 2013,www.cbo.gov/publication/44728, Congressional Budget Office, 28 July 2014, On January 16, 2014, the United States House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies passed the bill,WEB, Aaron, Martin, January 21, 2014,riponadvance.com/news/meehan-bill-enhance-cybersecurity/6294, Meehan bill would enhance cybersecurity, Ripon Advance, January 21, 2014, dead,riponadvance.com/news/meehan-bill-enhance-cybersecurity/6294," title="web.archive.org/web/20140131084534riponadvance.com/news/meehan-bill-enhance-cybersecurity/6294,">web.archive.org/web/20140131084534riponadvance.com/news/meehan-bill-enhance-cybersecurity/6294, January 31, 2014, and in February the full Homeland Security Committee approved the bill.WEB,riponadvance.com/news/cybersecurity-bill-gains-subcommittee-approval/6547, Cybersecurity bill gains subcommittee approval, Ripon Advance, February 11, 2014, February 11, 2014, dead,riponadvance.com/news/cybersecurity-bill-gains-subcommittee-approval/6547," title="archive.today/20140211195951riponadvance.com/news/cybersecurity-bill-gains-subcommittee-approval/6547,">archive.today/20140211195951riponadvance.com/news/cybersecurity-bill-gains-subcommittee-approval/6547, February 11, 2014, On July 28, 2014, the House voted to pass the bill in a voice vote.WEB, H.R. 2952 – All Actions,beta.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/2952/all-actions, United States Congress, 29 July 2014, NEWS, 3 Bills To Protect Critical Infrastructure From Cyber Attack Passed By House,www.hstoday.us/single-article/3-bills-to-protect-critical-infrastructure-from-cyber-attack-passed-by-house/23ae7921394489cf0714febca24c5f57.html, 29 July 2014, Homeland Security Today, 28 July 2014,

Sexual harassment settlement

The New York Times revealed in January 2018 that Meehan used taxpayers’ money to settle a sexual harassment claim brought by a female staff member.NEWS, Rogers, Katie, Vogel, Kenneth P.,www.nytimes.com/2018/01/20/us/politics/patrick-meehan-sexual-harassment.html, Congressman Combating Harassment Settled His Own Misconduct Case, January 20, 2018, The New York Times, January 22, 2018, After the alleged victim rejected his advances, Meehan allegedly grew hostile.NEWS, Bowden, John,thehill.com/homenews/house/369932-republican-lawmaker-settles-sexual-misconduct-complaint-with-former-staffer/, Republican lawmaker settled harassment complaint with former staffer: report, January 20, 2018, The Hill, January 22, 2018, The staff member began remote work to avoid Meehan’s advances and ultimately left the job. Following the report, Meehan denied the allegations against him. He was removed from the U.S. House Ethics Committee.A few days later in an interview with the Philadelphia Inquirer, Meehan denied harassment and said he was not sexually interested in the staffer, though explained she was his “soul mate” and he had reacted poorly to learning she had a new boyfriend.NEWS,www.cnn.com/2018/01/24/politics/meehan-analysis/index.html, Oh, Pat Meehan. No, no, no, no., Cillizza, Chris, CNN, 2018-01-25, Another two days later, on January 25, 2018, Meehan announced that he would retire from Congress at the end of his current term, and not seek re-election in 2018. He said he would repay the taxpayer money if the Ethics Committee determines he committed sexual harassment. He also responded regarding his prior use of the term “soul mate”. On April 27, 2018, he abruptly resigned, saying that his intent is to repay the $39,000 settlement funds within 30 days of his resignation because “I did not want to leave with any question of violating the trust of taxpayers.“WEB,www.npr.org/2018/04/27/606545237/pennsylvania-gop-rep-patrick-meehan-resigns-after-sexual-harassment-scandal, Pennsylvania GOP Rep. Patrick Meehan Resigns After Sexual Harassment Scandal, NPR, 27 April 2018, Taylor, Jessica,

Post-political career

Following his resignation from Congress, Meehan worked as a consultant, forming the firm Harvey Run Strategies, and registered as a lobbyist.NEWS,www.inquirer.com/news/pat-meehan-charlie-dent-lobbying-pennsylvania-20191004.html, Ex-Congressmen Pat Meehan, Charlie Dent, and Ryan Costello move to lobbying ranks, Jonathan Tamari, 4 October 2019, The Philadelphia Inquirer, 12 November 2019,

Personal life

Meehan, his wife Carolyn and their three sons live in Delaware County, Pennsylvania,WEB,meehan.house.gov/about/full-biography, House Biography, U.S. House of Representatives, May 8, 2017,  â€“ in Chadds Ford as of 2017NEWS,www.delcotimes.com/article/DC/20171003/NEWS/171009870, The Delaware County Daily Times, Critics hit Meehan for record on the environment, October 3, 2017, January 23, 2018, Kathleen E., Carey, and formerly Drexel Hill.NEWS,www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2009/09/former_us_attorney_pat_meehan.html, Former US Attorney Pat Meehan running for Congress in Pa., PennLive, Dustin, Hockensmith, September 14, 2009, May 8, 2017,

References

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External links

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• {{CongLinks | congbio=M001181 | votesmart=119474 | fec=Patrick_Meehan | congress=patrick-meehan/2052 }}

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