KENTUCKY — U.S. Rep. Andy Barr of Lexington, R-6th District, was re-elected in November 2020 to represent 19 different counties within central Kentucky in Washington, D.C.
The Republican Congressman serves on the House Committee on Financial Services and is the ranking member of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigation.
During this In Focus Kentucky, Barr discusses the Cardiovascular Advances in Research and Opportunities Legacy (CAROL) Act, which honors his late wife, Carol, who unexpectedly passed away due to sudden cardiac arrest, most likely brought on by a ventricular arrhythmia.
Barr says Carol had an underlying condition called mitral valve prolapse (MVP) or floppy valve syndrome - a typically benign condition that results in sudden cardiac death in only .2% of cases.
According to the American Heart Association, 25,000 Americans lose their lives to valvular heart disease each year, predominately young women.
And this is why Barr filed the CAROL Act.
“Carol’s life was about selfless service to others and making a positive difference in our community. Carol was the best wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend anyone could ever have,” said Barr. “Through this legislation, we provide the investments, resources and awareness needed to inform others about valvular heart disease and save lives. Turning this tragedy into something positive is exactly what Carol would have wanted us to do, and I will champion this cause for the rest of my life.”
Barr also explained during this segment the Fair Access to Banking Act. This legislation would codify the Fair Access Rule issued by former Acting Comptroller of the Currency Brian Brooks in January, requiring banks to provide fair access to bank services, capital and credit.
“Banks should make lending decisions relying on objective, risk-based metrics, not the standards of woke corporate cancel culture,” said Barr. “Our legislation codifies the Fair Access Rule to ensure that radical environmentalists, gun control advocates and other political activists cannot weaponize financial institutions in their fight to achieve their political agenda. I want to thank Sen. Cramer for his partnership on this bill and Brian Brooks for his leadership in issuing the Fair Access Rule during his time as Acting Comptroller of the Currency.”