Good afternoon, and welcome to our Weekend Update.

Monday was Presidents’ Day, and we honored the leaders, past and present, who shaped our nation and defended our freedoms.

From George Washington setting the standard for constitutional leadership to Abraham Lincoln preserving the Union, America has always relied on strength, courage, and principle.

We continue that legacy by standing for liberty, opportunity, and putting Americans first, a commitment reinforced under President Donald J. Trump.

Democrats view their government shutdown as politically advantageous. What it’s actually doing is disrupting our country, weakening national security, and sidelining federal law enforcement.

They claim it’s about ICE, which has largely already been funded. What’s left without critical funding are agencies Americans rely on every day, including FEMA, TSA, the Coast Guard, and others within DHS.

Meanwhile, Republicans are advancing election integrity through the SAVE America Act. It’s straightforward, commonsense legislation requiring stricter voter ID, yet Democrat leadership continues to demonize it. Every House Republican voted yes. Every House Democrat but one voted no.

Now it’s in the Senate. If a talking filibuster is what it takes to force a vote, it should be seriously considered. I joined “Wake Up America” on Newsmax to discuss. Click here or below to watch.

For decades, the United States operated under a lopsided trade system. Our markets stayed open while trading partners imposed massive barriers on American goods — India as high as 100%, Japan as high as 300% — while we often charged just 2%.

That imbalance hollowed out American manufacturing for nearly 50 years. “Made in the USA” declined. Supply chains moved overseas. The system was tilted against American workers.

President Trump corrected the global trade order. His tariffs forced long-overdue reciprocity, and because of that leverage, those tariff barriers have now been driven to zero. America is back on a winning path. Our trade deficit has been significantly reduced.

With that in mind, it is important to be clear about what the Supreme Court’s decision on IEEPA does — and does not — do.

First, the Court did not strike down the President’s broader trade authority. The President retains extensive tariff authority under longstanding statutes, including:

• Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act (national security)
  
  
• Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 (unfair trade practices)
  
  
• Section 201 safeguards
  
  
• Section 338 of the Trade Act of 1930
  
  
• Other congressionally delegated trade enforcement tools

All tariffs imposed under those authorities remain fully in effect.

Second, all trade agreements and commitments secured during this period remain in place. The Court’s ruling does not unwind negotiated deals, investment pledges, LNG purchase agreements, or manufacturing commitments.

What the Court did do was remove a key leverage tool under IEEPA. That tool provided the flexibility to move quickly, impose broad reciprocal tariffs, and bring trading partners to the table.

That flexibility helped:

• Secure historic trade deals across Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and South America
  
  
• Attract trillions in new investment commitments
  
  
• Drive large-scale purchases of American liquid natural gas
  
  
• Reprioritize American manufacturing and supply chains

I respectfully disagree with the Court’s interpretation. President Nixon used nearly identical statutory language in 1971 to impose a 10% global tariff. For decades, presidents relied on emergency trade authorities to protect American interests. Today, the Court adopted a narrower view of that authority.

But this ruling does not end America First trade policy.

President Trump’s trade successes were not accidental — they were the result of strength, clarity, and willingness to use every lawful tool available. While the Court has now limited one of those tools, the President retains powerful and proven authorities to ensure our trading partners honor their commitments.

America’s leverage remains strong. Our trade relationships remain intact. The President and Republicans in Congress will continue using every lawful authority available to protect American workers, strengthen domestic manufacturing, and secure fair treatment for the United States in the global economy.

IN NEWS YOU WON’T HEAR IN THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA: U.S. Economy Remains Stable Despite Democrats' 43-Day Shutdown

Democrats' 43-day shutdown — which accomplished nothing — cost growth in the American economy, just like it was predicted to.

Despite Democrats' efforts to obstruct, President Trump and Republicans are managing to put more money back into the American people's pockets, keep inflation low and stable, and keep the economy growing.

Democrats are currently putting Americans through another shutdown — this time shutting down DHS — knowing it will also accomplish nothing.

Democrats claim to care about affordability, but everything they have done has proven otherwise.

President Trump and Republicans are actually putting in the work to make life more affordable and prosperous for the American people.

I want to share the video below of Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO) at a recent hearing breaking down the recent history of just how far the Democrats are willing to go to block President Trump and the America First Agenda. The Democrats' weaponization of government against President Trump has been unprecedented. Click here or below to watch the Senator's remarks.

On Tuesday, I joined VA Secretary Doug Collins at the Lebanon VA Medical Center to tour the facility, review their operations, and meet with the medical professionals delivering exceptional care to Pennsylvania’s veterans.

The Lebanon VA Medical Center ranks among the best in the nation for patient and employee experience, all while holding a 5-Star CMS Hospital Quality Rating. This impressive facility truly sets the standard for how a VA hospital should serve those who served us.

Under Secretary Collins’ leadership, the VA is reducing the claims backlog, expanding access to care, and modernizing facilities nationwide. My office and I will continue working to make sure veterans here in Lebanon and across the Ninth District receive the high-quality care, earned benefits, and accountability they deserve.

In more good news for our veterans, President Trump and Secretary Collins made a significant move to protect our veterans’ Second Amendment rights.

Effective immediately, the VA will stop reporting veterans to the FBI’s background check system solely because they need help managing their VA benefits. For three decades, veterans were placed on that list without a court decision.

Needing a fiduciary does not mean losing your constitutional rights. This move was long overdue, and the right step to protect those who served.

It's tax time. Thanks to the Working Families Tax Cuts, Republicans secured a new $6,000 tax deduction for Americans 65 and older, in addition to the extra standard deduction they already receive under current law.

This provision delivers significant tax relief for older Americans and Pennsylvania seniors, helping them keep more of what they earn and the savings they worked a lifetime to build!

Learn more about the senior deduction by clicking here or below.

In an era of rapidly advancing technology, Northeast Central Pennsylvania is taking important steps to stay competitive nationwide in artificial intelligence.

Pennsylvania College of Technology is launching two new AI minors that will prepare students to build, maintain, integrate, and optimize the systems that power AI, which is projected to contribute up to $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030.

By investing in AI education right here in PA, we’re preparing students for high-tech careers, expanding opportunity in rural communities, strengthening our local workforce, and keeping America at the forefront of the technologies that will define the next generation. Click here or below to read more.

CAMPAIGN UPDATE:

As we begin our reelection campaign, we want to share information on how to help us achieve our first goal: filing nominating petitions.

The Commonwealth requires our campaign to collect and file 1,000 signatures from Republicans living in the 9th Congressional District.

Petition circulation runs from this past Tuesday through March 10. If you would like to circulate or sign a petition, please email Tom Whitehead at [email protected] to contact our campaign. We greatly appreciate any and all support with this mission. 

On Monday evening, it was a pleasure to join the Bradford County Republican Committee last evening for their annual Lincoln Day Dinner.
It’s always great to be with Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity, who shared her vision for the future of our Commonwealth as she continues her campaign for Governor. I was also glad to see some of our state and local elected officials, including Representatives Joe Hamm, Tina Pickett, and Clint Owlett, as well as Commissioners Doug McLinko and Daryl Miller.

Special congratulations to Commissioner Daryl Miller on receiving the Ellen Murphy Terrell Award, a well-deserved recognition of his dedication and service to the party.

Thank you to Chairman Dick Harris and the entire Bradford County Republican Committee for hosting a successful evening and for your continued commitment to advancing conservative values across the county and beyond.

On Tuesday, we had a great event at the Blue Bird Inn in Lebanon County to officially launch petition season.

We were honored to be joined by Senator Chris Gebhard, Representative John Schlegel, and Representative Russ Diamond, along with a representative from the Garrity for Governor and Richey for Lieutenant Governor campaigns, all of whom circulated petitions.

It was also great to see strong local leadership in attendance, including Lebanon County Commissioner Bob Phillips, District Attorney Pier Hess Graf, Sheriff Jeff Marley, Register of Wills Brian Craig, Clerk of Courts Barb Smith, and Lebanon City Mayor Sherry Capello.

I was glad to see many members of the Lebanon County Young Republicans and the Lebanon Valley College Conservative Club, the next generation of leaders, stepping up and getting involved. Thank you to everyone who came out to help us build momentum and start this campaign season strong.

Later, I joined the Luzerne County Republican Women for a campaign kick-off and petition signing party. We were joined by so many great Republican candidates, including gubernatorial candidate Stacy Garrity, Congressman Rob Bresnahan, State Senator Lisa Baker, Rep. Brenda Pugh, and Rep. Alec Ryncavage, among others.

I want to thank all the members and the leadership of the Luzerne County Women’s Republicans for a great event and huge turnout. I especially thank President Sandy Debias, former President Jenny Centrella, and my wife, Shelley, who is the first vice president.

Yesterday, I joined friends and neighbors at the Lincoln Day Dinner at Harford Fire Company in Susquehanna County!

Had a great stop in Montour County last evening for the Republican Committee’s petition signing event. Always a pleasure to see Chairman Donald Kuziak, State Committeeman Mike Kuziak, Representative Michael Stender, and the many dedicated committee members who are working hard to ensure our candidates secure their place on the ballot and continue advancing Republican priorities across Montour County.

Last evening, I joined Attorney General Dave Sunday, State Treasurer, and our next governor, Stacy Garrity, Congressman GT Thompson and Republicans from across the region for the annual Lincoln Day Dinner in Lycoming County. I was pleased to share with the audience what Republicans are doing in DC to help President Trump Make America Great Again. I want to thank Chairman Don Peters and his team for the work they put into making last night a success. 

We also got to meet a great group of young Republicans from Susquehanna University.

Join me at the following petition-signing events this week.

We are so grateful to everyone who is assisting in this critical first step of our re-election campaign. Thank you!

USA, USA! 🇺🇸🥇

Congratulations to Team USA Men’s Hockey on an incredible Olympic Gold Medal victory. This team showed exactly what American grit, discipline, and determination look like on the world stage.

And credit where it’s due, Canada was on fire and played hard for their country. But Team USA persevered, rose to the moment, and delivered for America.

Team USA Women’s Hockey also brought home gold, defeating Canada and capping off an incredible showing for American hockey.

A proud day for the United States!

May God continue to bless our nation. I look forward to seeing you soon,