VALERIE HENRY
Ms. Henry is an experienced advocate who has over a decade of experience serving as a policy advisor to Members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. A native of the Washington, DC area, she has an extensive institutional knowledge of the U.S. Congress, a depth of understanding in the legislative process, and experience in implementing strategies to secure positive outcomes.
Ms. Henry served for nearly eight years as a Senior Policy Advisor to Congressman Greg Walden (OR), Chairman of the Republican Leadership and Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology. She provided counsel to the Congressman on legislation and regulation related to health (including Medicare, Medicaid, the Food and Drug Administration and National Institutes of Health), telecommunications, tax and budget policy. She coordinated the Congressman’s priorities as a Member of the powerful Energy and Commerce Committee, and directed his legislative agenda on the Communications and Technology Subcommittee, as well as the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations. Ms. Henry served as Walden’s principal advisor on historic legislation critical to the American economy including the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, food
safety oversight, the Deficit Reduction Act, the Medicare Modernization Act, the digital television transition, the Satellite Home Viewer Act, the Radio Spectrum Inventory Act, and legislation to establish a regulatory pathway for follow-on biologics.
Ms. Henry is skilled at organizing and growing coalitions between congressional and grassroots organizations to advance a policy agenda. She organized and managed the 180-member House Rural Health Care Coalition which is Chaired by Congressman Walden. For these efforts, she was twice recognized by the National Rural Health Association with its Legislative Staff award.
Ms. Henry’s career also includes years of service in the U.S. Senate where she researched and analyzed legislation for Senators Mike Crapo (ID) and John Warner (VA).
Ms. Henry is an experienced private sector advocate, having served in the in the health division of a premier international law firm in Washington, DC. She represented clients at meetings with Members of Congress and federal officials. Additionally, she coordinated grassroots advocacy activities including legislative conferences, Capitol Hill visits and advocacy events, and high profile events. She also has expertise in Federal Election Commission reporting and compliance from her experience managing the political action committee of a firm client.
Ms. Henry is a graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Virginia with a Bachelor’s of Art in Urban Affairs and Planning with a concentration in Political Science and Public Administration.