Congressman Pat Harrigan (R-NC-10): Background, Key Issues
Military and Entrepreneurial Background
Pat Harrigan is a U.S. Representative from North Carolina’s 10th District who brings a notable military and technical background to Congress. A West Point graduate in nuclear engineering, Harrigan served as a U.S. Army infantry officer and Green Beret with deployments to Afghanistan. He earned two Bronze Stars for leadership and valor in combat during his Special Forces service. After his military tours, Harrigan applied his expertise to the private sector: he and his wife founded a small firearms manufacturing business in North Carolina, growing it from a home operation into a successful company producing defense-related products. This blend of combat leadership and entrepreneurial experience has shaped Harrigan’s approach to public service, emphasizing accountability, innovation, and national security.
Election to Congress and Committee Assignments
Harrigan was elected to the U.S. House in November 2024 and assumed office on January 3, 2025, succeeding Rep. Patrick McHenry.
In Congress, he has been entrusted with roles on two major House committees that align with his background and interests:
- House Armed Services Committee, with subcommittee posts on Military Personnel, Readiness, and Intelligence and Special Operations. These assignments allow Harrigan to leverage his military experience in overseeing defense policy, the well-being of servicemembers, and readiness of U.S. forces.
House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, serving on the Subcommittee on Energy and the Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight. Through this committee, Harrigan engages with issues of technological innovation, energy policy, and scientific research – areas complemented by his engineering credentials.
In addition to formal committees, Rep. Harrigan is active in several congressional caucuses that reflect a wide range of his policy interests. He is a member of caucuses focusing on issues such as combating the fentanyl crisis, supporting rare disease research, and promoting the U.S. textile industry source. Notably, he also joined the House Taiwan Caucus, signaling support for strong ties with U.S. allies in East Asia.
Policy Positions and Legislative Focus
As a freshman lawmaker, Harrigan has prioritized national security, economic growth, and support for veterans, consistent with the themes of his campaign and background. His official issue agenda highlights: supporting veterans and military families, job creation and economic growth, energy independence, border security, and bolstering national defense. For example, he has advocated for domestic energy production and security, likely drawing on his nuclear engineering knowledge to support an all-of-the-above energy strategy. Similarly, his focus on border security and combating fentanyl reflects a commitment to law and order and addressing the opioid epidemic (he is a member of the Fentanyl Prevention Caucus).
Harrigan’s early legislative activity aligns with these priorities. He has supported bills to strengthen financial security (such as regulating stablecoins in the financial sector) and to uphold conservative values in education and sports. He voted for the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025 to bar biological males from women’s athletics, and backed measures to improve law enforcement safety and block certain executive regulations. On economic matters, Harrigan emphasizes reducing inflation and government spending – evidenced by his vote for the Rescissions Act of 2025 to cut excessive budget allocations. Taken together, his record paints him as a pro-defense, pro-veteran, and fiscally conservative. Republican focused on both national strength and local economic interests.
During the recent NRCC gathering in Hot Springs, Virginia, Congressman Pat Harrigan (NC-10) met with Hulya Erol-Garvett, President of TC-USA PAC.
According to Mrs. Garvett, Congressman Harrigan expressed a deep respect for Turkish history and culture, as well as a clear understanding of Türkiye’s strategic significance as a NATO ally. His military background and current role on the House Armed Services Committee give him a unique perspective on the vital role Türkiye plays in regional and global security. Garvett noted that Harrigan sees Turkish Americans as an important bridge in fostering mutual understanding and strengthening diplomatic ties. His openness and thoughtful engagement were encouraging signs of a constructive and forward-looking approach to U.S.-Türkiye relations.
Congressman Pat Harrigan’s profile is that of a combat veteran turned lawmaker who applies principled leadership to policy-making. His focus on military readiness, energy security, and public safety resonates with his constituents in North Carolina and aligns with broader Republican priorities. For Turkish Americans, Harrigan’s engagement is encouraging: he has been open to learning about and supporting the interests of the community. By seeing Türkiye as a valuable ally and engaging in good-faith dialogue with Turkish representatives, Harrigan is helping to foster “mutual understanding and cooperation” between the U.S. and Türkiye