Good morning, and welcome to our Weekend Update.

First, I want to address our nation's strikes on Iran. Early Saturday morning, President Donald J. Trump issued a video to the American people and the world announcing our mission and effort to liberate the Iranian people from this murderous regime. Click here or below to watch the President's video message.

We stand at the threshold of a historic turning point. For nearly five decades, Iran has pursued a dangerous agenda of Shia Islamic revolution, anti-Western hostility, and nuclear armament, inflicting harm across the region and beyond. Now, through resolute action by the United States and Israel, we are drawing a firm line, offering the Iranian people and the broader Middle East a genuine opportunity for freedom, stability, and peace.

Latest Developments from Operation “Epic Fury”:

• Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei and 40 top leaders have been killed.
  
  
• The strikes were coordinated across multiple geographic commands, creating a synchronized assault designed to overwhelm Iran’s defensive systems.
  
  
• The campaign involves hundreds of targets and is being described as a sustained, multi-day operation.
  
  
• U.S. forces introduced new capabilities during these strikes, including the first combat deployment of one-way attack drones.
  
  
• The operation has focused on high-value targets tied to the IRGC, including key naval assets and underground facilities believed to support Iran’s nuclear program.
  
  
• Tomahawk missiles were launched in the opening wave of strikes.
  
  
• According to a U.S. official, Iranian air defenses have been effectively neutralized.
  
  
• A senior U.S. official characterized Iran’s response so far as ineffective.

Please join me in praying for our brave men and women carrying out this mission, as well as all those innocents in harm's way. This morning, it is being reported that tragically, three American service members have been killed in action and five are seriously wounded. We pray for their families and loved ones.

Given developments in the Middle East and the ongoing threat posed by Iran and its terrorist proxies, Democrats in the House and Senate must cease the politics and immediately fund the Department of Homeland Security.

At a moment like this, blocking funding for the Department of Homeland Security is irresponsible and dangerous to our homeland. Democrats in Congress must join Republicans, act responsibly and stop blocking efforts to fund DHS.

Protecting the American people is a fundamental responsibility of our government, and we cannot afford delays in our national security.

On Tuesday evening, President Trump gave his first State of the Union Address of his second term. There was plenty of energy ahead of President Trump’s State of the Union address.

It was great catching up with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, Congressman Glenn Thompson, PA State Treasurer Stacy Garrity, Maria Bartiromo, and many others.

Click here to watch me congratulate the President on his successful address.

On Wednesday, I joined Newsmax’s “Bianca Across the Nation” to recap President Trump’s inspiring address, share what it means for working families across Pennsylvania, and discuss how we are ushering in the Golden Age of America.

The numbers tell the truth, something the Democrats can't do. They cannot truthfully deny that inflation has been brought down to 2.4%, that gas prices have stayed under $3 per gallon nationwide, and that families across the country are keeping an average federal tax cut of around $2,500 annually. Democrats believe they can sell an alternative reality, but luckily, most Americans can see right through it.

They cannot deny that Pennsylvania native Megan Hemhouser and her family are seeing a $5,000 increase in take-home pay due to the WFTC's benefits. They cannot deny that every one of my 770,000 constituents received some form of tax relief.

President Trump focused on public safety, crime being down, stronger national security, and lower prices. He honored victims of senseless crimes at the hands of criminals and made clear that the American people come before illegal immigrants. And while those results were laid out for the country to see, Democrats chose to sit on their hands.

This was not a home run speech by the President… It was a GRAND SLAM! To read my full statement on President Trump’s address, click here or below.

My latest op-ed was published this week, highlighting how the Working Families Tax Cuts are delivering real results for families across our District.

“In 2025, we set the policies. In 2026, we deliver the payoff. And if we keep the current team in place to finish the job, that success will continue for years to come.”

Click here or below to read.

Hardworking Americans are winning again thanks to America First policies in action, brought to you by President Trump and House Republicans. Don't let the mainstream media tell you otherwise. Click here or below to watch a video released by the Republican Study Committee that highlights real American voices on the positive impacts of the Trump-Republican agenda.

I joined Republicans on the Financial Services Committee for a productive meeting with the U.S. Department of the Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to discuss delivering on President Trump’s call to ban large institutional investors from owning single-family homes.

At the State of the Union, the President urged Congress to codify this proposal as part of his broader housing agenda — to bring down costs, protect home values, increase supply, and expand homeownership. This morning, we got to work.

While institutional investors own roughly 3% of single-family homes nationwide, their footprint is far more concentrated in fast-growing metro areas like Atlanta, Phoenix, and South Florida — where ownership can reach 20% of the market. Families moving to these Republican-led states for opportunity and pro-growth policies deserve a fair shot at the American Dream — not to be outbid by Wall Street-backed firms.

We will work with President Trump and Sec. Bessent to advance legislation that shifts the market back toward homeowners, building on the progress we made with the Housing for the 21st Century Act.

Pictured below with JP Morgan Chase Chairman and CEO Jamie Dimon.

As International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said on Friday, the United States is the world's productivity leader.

After meeting with Secretary Bessent and Chairman Powell, she noted that U.S. growth is outpacing the rest of the world and is expected to strengthen further in 2026. Inflation continues moving toward the Fed’s 2% target. And most importantly, America’s strength is anchored in productivity, with gains showing up across financial services, logistics, retail, and healthcare.

Why? Because of the innovative spirit of American businesses, capital that’s willing to take smart risks, deregulation that frees up growth, and the dynamism of our workers and entrepreneurs.

She’s absolutely right. No other country matches the United States in innovation, productivity, and economic dynamism. Click here or below to watch her interview on Fox Business'"Mornings with Maria."

On Monday, I appeared on RJ Harris on WHP 580 to discuss Democrats threatening shutdowns and even considering boycotting the State of the Union. Republicans remain focused on delivering a government that works for the American people.

We also discussed my SCAM Act to crack down on fraud and protect consumers, and looked ahead to tomorrow’s State of the Union, where President Trump is expected to share how the U.S. will continue building on the momentum from his first year. Click here or below to listen.

IN NEWS YOU WON’T HEAR IN THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA: Democrats showed whose side they’re on – and it’s not the American people.

President Trump delivered a historic State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress — proudly declaring the dawn of a new Golden Age after just one year of transformative leadership in his second term. In a powerful speech, President Trump highlighted unprecedented accomplishments: a fully secure border, plummeting inflation, falling gas prices and crime rates, surging stock markets and 401(k)s, massive tax relief for working Americans, and bold actions to restore peace through strength abroad.

This was a speech of renewal and resolve — yet congressional Democrats, consumed by delusional hatred and obstruction, refused to join in celebrating these victories for the American people.

During the State of the Union, Democrats refused to applaud:

• Reaffirming “the first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens.”
  
  
• The grieving families of innocent American women and children murdered by criminal illegal aliens — including the mother of Iryna Zarutska, a North Carolina woman savagely killed on public transit by a career criminal monster.
  
  
• Securing our homeland and finally ending the invasion of savage criminal illegal aliens — killers, rapists, gang members, and traffickers — with the strongest, most secure border in American history.
  
  
• Prioritizing American citizens over illegal aliens.
  
  
• Unifying against political violence.
  
  
• Inflation is finally subsiding after years of Democrat-driven price shocks that crushed working families.
  
  
• Keeping violent criminals locked up.
  
  
• Lower prescription drug prices for millions of Americans.
  
  
• The decisive military action that brought indicted narcoterrorist Nicolás Maduro to justice, crippling drug cartels and liberating our hemisphere from vicious narcotrafficking terrorists.
  
  
• Protecting minor children from the horrors of irreversible sex changes.
  
  
• Gas prices are dropping to multi-year lows, putting money back in Americans’ pockets.
  
  
• Law enforcement officers are being respected once again after years of vilification.
  
  
• The financial futures of millions of American newborns through Trump Accounts.
  
  
• Protecting the integrity of our elections by preventing illegal aliens from undermining our democracy.
  
  
• Banning large corporations from scooping up single-family homes to ensure they remain available for working Americans.
  
  
• Ending widespread fraud schemes — like the $19 billion Somali fraud scandal that burdened Minnesota taxpayers.
  
  
• Warrior Dividends for our great military heroes.
  
  
• Reducing the flow of deadly fentanyl across our border by a record 56% in one year.
  
  
• The single largest drop in the murder rate in 125 years, making our streets safer.
  
  
• Explosive growth in retirement accounts and 401(k)s for millions of hardworking Americans.
  
  
• Landmark tax relief through the Working Families Tax Cuts Act: No Tax on Tips, No Tax on Overtime, No Tax on Social Security, and more historic savings.
  
  
• A World War II hero who helped liberate the largest internment camp in the Philippines.
  
  
• Ending eight wars and delivering peace through unmatched American strength.
  
  
• America’s military might is restoring respect and fear among our adversaries.
  
  
• Massive economic growth.
  
  
• Total victory over terrorists abroad.

President Trump has proven what is possible when America puts its own citizens first.

Just over a year ago, Marc Fogel came home after 1,277 days in Russian captivity.

Prior to the State of the Union address, I sat down with him to hear his incredible testimony. After everything he endured, Marc is still standing strong, grateful, proud to be an American, and forever optimistic.

I'll never forget sitting near his mother, May, in Butler when shots rang out. Marc was in a Russian hospital, watching it unfold on the news — four agonizing days not knowing if his mother or President Trump had survived.

Just two and a half weeks after President Trump took office, Marc was on American soil. That's Promises Made, Promises Kept.

On Tuesday, at a House Committee on Small Business hearing, I heard firsthand about the impact of Career and Technical Education (CTE) and the need to invest in these programs and expand access for students.

CTE programs give young people hands-on skills and a clear path to meaningful careers.

I’ve seen how CTE schools prepare students across the 9th Congressional District, and Congress must do more to ensure that these programs best prepare our future workforce. Click here or below to watch.

On Wednesday, I met with Rob Nichols, President and CEO of the American Bankers Association, to discuss how to combat fraud and scams, which are rising across the country.

CAMPAIGN UPDATE:

We are well on our way with our petition circulation effort. I am happy to share that we have already collected more than the required number of petition signatures and will be filing this week. 

The Commonwealth requires our campaign to collect and file 1,000 signatures from Republicans living in the 9th Congressional District. While we have already collected the number we need, we plan to file thousands more than required.

Petition circulation runs through March 10. If you would like to circulate or sign a petition, please email Tom Whitehead at [email protected] to contact our campaign. If you have any petitions you circulated and need to coordinate a pick-up, please contact Tom immediately. We greatly appreciate any and all support with this mission. 

On Thursday afternoon, our campaign held a successful fundraiser in Schuylkill County, hosted by our great friend Roy Heim. With his tremendous support, we had an extremely successful event, which will help us keep the U.S. House in Republican control. I also want to thank my very good friend and colleague, Congressman Jim Jordan, for being in Pennsylvania and supporting Rob Bresnahan, Ryan Mackenzie, Scott Perry and me in such a strong manner. Jim is a fighter, a great leader, and a great friend.

I was also glad to see Senator Dave Argall, Senator Chris Gebhard, Representative Jamie Barton, Representative Tim Twardzik, Representative Dane Watro, Representative John Schlegel, Northumberland County Commissioner Sam Schiccatano, and Schuylkill County Commissioners Larry Padora and Boots Hetherington, who continue to represent our communities well at the state and local levels.

Later, I attended a fundraiser for our next great Republican governor, Treasurer Stacy Garrity. The Berks County fundraiser was hosted by Jamie and Kim VanBuren and Barry Schlouch. It was a great event, and you could feel the excitement building for Stacy's campaign.

Yesterday, I joined the Wyoming County GOP in Tunkhannock for their annual Lincoln Day Dinner. It was a great event, and I want to thank their Chairman, Davis Haire, and their committee members for putting it on. Pictured below with Chairman Haire, State Treasurer Stacy Garrity, State Senator Lisa Baker, State Representative Tina Pickett, District Attorney Joe Peters, and others.

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