Today, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), the top Democrat on the House Financial Services Committee, released this statement following Chair Patrick McHenry’s (R-NC) announcement that he will be retiring at the end of his term.

When Republicans took control earlier this year, many Democrats on this side, including myself, were wondering what type of Chairman Mr. McHenry would be, and two words that are often used are fair and respectful. He has run this Committee in a way that respects the importance of debate, although our side has sometimes used the rules to extend that debate, and has ensured that all Members, Democratic and Republican, have a chance to share their views.

And while we don’t agree on every policy, or many for that matter, I have personally worked well with the Chair on many issues, from passing a national emergency rental assistance program and significant resources for Community Development Financial Institutions during the pandemic, to reauthorizing the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act and the Export-Import Bank, well, eventually we got to good on that one. He and I were up until 3 in the morning on that last bill. Many of you may not know that we also worked closely together passing legislation before he rose to his leadership position to improve crowdfunding rules and to enable angel investors to support small businesses. I will also say that I recognize that this decision to retire was likely not an easy one, but the American public appreciates the service he and his family have given over the past 20 years. And, I hope that the Chairman knows that we still have work to do because I know there are many other items that are possible for us to continue to prove to the American public that bipartisanship is still possible.

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