Good evening and welcome to our Weekend Update.

On Friday, Congress held a vote on President Joe Biden and Congressional Democrat’s $1.9 trillion spending plan. As I have stressed, any additional aid should be focused on addressing the real needs including… increasing testing capacity, making additional vaccinations available, supporting our hospitals, health care providers and senior homes. Instead, President Joe Biden and Democrat-controlled House of Representatives advanced a $1.9 trillion spending plan focused on Democratic funding priorities and allies and less on combatting Covid-19.

This is the wrong plan at the wrong time for the wrong reasons:

• Less than 9% goes to combating COVID-19 through public health spending
  
  
• 27% or $510 billion goes to state and local governments
  
  
• 25% or $471 billion goes to policies that reduce private-sector employment
  
  
• 18% includes:
  • $135 million for the National Endowment for the Arts
    
    
  • $135 million for the National Endowment for the Humanities
    
    
  • $200 million for the Institute of Museum and Library Services
    
    
  • $12 billion for foreign aid
    
    
• Excluding stimulus payments to individuals, almost half of the bill will not be spent until 2022 or later:
  
  
  • 45% or $670 billion is spent in 2022 or later
    
    
  • $140 billion is spent in 2024 or later
    
    
• So what is spent in 2021?
  
  
  • Only 5% ($6 billion) of the $130 billion for K-12 schools
    
    
  • Only 5% ($250 million) of the $5 billion for Emergency Housing Vouchers
    
    
  • Only 19% ($8 billion) of the $39 billion for childcare
    
    
  • Only 23% ($11 billion) of the $50 billion for FEMA
    
    
  • Only 12% ($35 billion) of the entire Education & Labor Committee Title
    
    
  • None of the $5 billion for Homeless Assistance

Good afternoon and welcome to our Weekend Update.

It was another snowy and cold week, but that didn't stop us from spending time in the District. 

On Friday, I visited Alvernia University’s “CollegeTowne” project. “CollegeTowne” is a strategy and model for championing economic redevelopment in downtown Reading. Through partnerships and collaborations with the city of Reading and local businesses and organizations, Alvernia University serves as a strategic partner for strengthening the local economy downtown. Starting with purchasing a vacant building and then adding academic programming, a business incubator within Alvernia’s O’Pake Institute for Economic Development and Entrepreneurship and eventually student housing, Alvernia becomes a key leader in reviving engagement and energy in downtown Reading. I was joined by John Loyack, Alvernia University President, Thomas Minick, Vice President of Institutional Advancement and our good friend Barry Schlouch, President of Schlouch, Inc.

Earlier in the week, I joined the Berks County Patriots for their meeting. Always a great time with patriots who care deeply about our nation. I also want to thank Sam and Linda Brancadora for their leadership of such a patriotic organization. Pictured below with Rodney Miller.

Happy Valentine's Day and more importantly for many, Happy Daytona 500. I hope everyone is enjoying President's Day weekend and welcome to our Weekend Update. 

While I was in the District this week, many eyes were on the Democrat’s political impeachment process against former President Donald J. Trump. The President Trump’s defense team highlighted the manufactured and doctored evidence and videos they showed and the blatant hypocrisy of their arguments. Click here or below to watch the video from President Trump’s defense team that highlights video clips of the Democrats’ rhetoric.

Good afternoon and welcome to our Weekend Update on this Super Bowl Sunday.

As I was in Washington, D.C. this week, it was appropriate we observed Groundhog Day. Unfortunately, just like the popular movie where Bill Murray continues to repeat the same day over and over again, my time in Washington has been very similar. It seems like Democratic leadership can’t get away from repeating the same mistakes over and over again as they advance the same failed big-government agenda. Trust me, I know you are frustrated watching it and I have to say that seeing it firsthand is maddening. There are so many great things we can be doing for our nation and its citizens. Still, their plan is made up of expensive, anti-free market policies, tailored to curry favor with the most extreme elements of the Democrat Party and is entirely focused on power and control.

Covid-19 Relief Plan:

Want proof? Look no further than the Democrat's latest $1.9 trillion Covid-19 rescue plan. Despite the rhetoric that would have you believe otherwise, President Joe Biden has dismissed all efforts to pass a package negotiated in a bipartisan way. After inviting ten Republican Senators into the White House to discuss this package, he dismissed their thoughts on a compromise for a more targeted relief plan that spent less. Instead, he instructed Democratic leadership to "go big" as it relates to spending.

Worse yet, to pass this partisan plan, the Democrat leadership in the Senate and House began using the arcane and seldom-used 'reconciliation' process to gain approval. This process allows the Senate to pass this bill with a simple majority in the Senate, rather than the typically required 60 votes. That means the plan can pass without any Republican support. Again, the Biden Administration often spoke of 'unity,' but time has proven those are just words.

I joined Neil Cavuto on Fox Business to discuss the Covid-19 rescue plan expressing my concern about the Democrat's plan's size. As a member of the Problem Solvers Caucus, we came up with a plan off slicing off $160 billion from their plan to directly address vaccinations, testing and more money for hospitals. Click here or below to watch.

Good afternoon and welcome to our Weekend Update on a snow-covered Sunday and likely Monday. If driving, of course, please be careful. Do get out and enjoy the snow. Pull the kids or grandkids along on the sled and enjoy some beautiful Pennsylvania winter weather.

I began the week with my monthly appearance with RJ Harris on WHP-580. Click here to listen to my interview. We discussed the alarming number of far-left executive orders that have been signed by President Joe Biden. To date, Biden has signed dozens of executive actions— focused on killing energy jobs, opening our borders, reinstating failed provisions from Obamacare and more. While President Biden has talked a lot about “unity” and working with both sides of the aisle, his executive orders have been mostly focused on the desires and interests of the extreme left.

I conducted an interview on Newsmax TV about President Biden’s anti-energy executive orders and particularly his action to kill the Keystone pipeline. With a stroke of a pen, President Biden killed over 10,000 jobs, long-term, high-paying jobs and one of the most environmentally friendly projects when it comes to natural gas and oil.

Good afternoon and welcome to our Weekend Update.

Before I begin, I want to acknowledge the passing of the Honorable Patrick J. Solano, who passed away peacefully yesterday. Described by all as a legend, Pat was a respected leader in Pennsylvania state government and politics. I was fortunate enough to know Pat for many years. As many elected officials can attest, he was the best political mentor anyone could have ever asked for and one of the greatest men I have ever known. I will miss his sage counsel and wisdom as he is no longer a phone call away.

Pat was a patriot and a decorated WWII veteran, flying twenty-three bombing missions over Berlin. Throughout Pat's long career, he became a confidante of governors and elected leaders of all stripes across Pennsylvania, especially in northeastern Pennsylvania. For many years, he was an advisor to the Pennsylvania State Senate, an institution he cared so deeply.

(Pictured alongside (L-R) Rep. Aaron Kaufer, Rep. Tarah Toohil, Hon. Pat Solano, Bob Tambur, Sen. Lisa Baker, Rep. Karen Boback)

Tomorrow, we witness the peaceful transition of power of presidential administrations. I remain hopeful that the messages of "Build Back Better" and "Uniting" were not just campaign slogans and actually the incoming Biden Administration plan.

Over the past four years, the Trump Administration was very successful in:

• Building an economy which the data proves was beneficial to all demographics
• Negotiating new pro-America trade deals
• Requiring allies to contribute a more equitable share to fund NATO
• Strengthening our military
• Striking historic peace deals in the Middle East
• Moving our nation's embassy to Jerusalem
• Destroying ISIS and other terrorist groups on the verge of being eliminated
• Taking on Big Pharma to lower prescription drug prices for American families
• Dealing with China from strength
• Pushing to make our country energy independent
• Lowering our carbon emissions (only country to lower our carbon emissions two years in a row)

The Trump administration strengthened our border and worked with Mexico and Central American nations to do this humanely. These illegal border crossings destroyed families. People perished during their long trek and the ones who do make it to the border risked drowning in the Rio Grande. It is a fact, ask any CBP agent, that drug cartels used these poor people as carriers and distractions as part of their efforts to push drugs into our country.

While the list above is not complete and there remains much to be done, particularly in light of the pandemic, it is clear the previous administration completed much in a short period of time. The wise thing to do would be to build off these successes and do what is in all Americans' best interests.

Congressman Dan Meuser Secures Endorsement from Pennsylvania State Troopers Association 

Meuser Secures Endorsement of the Fraternal Order of Police Phillip C. Melley Memorial Lodge #65

POTTSVILLE - The Meuser for Congress campaign released the following statement from U.S. Congressman Dan Meuser as he earns endorsement of the Pennsylvania State Troopers Association and the Fraternal Order of Police Phillip C. Melley Memorial Lodge #65:

“Having the endorsement of our Pennsylvania State Troopers and the FOP Memorial Lodge #65 is humbling. As the son of a retired police officer, supporting our brave law enforcement officers is something I take personally. These brave men and women selflessly leave their families every morning, not knowing if they will return home, to keep our communities and our families safe. I will always stand with these brave individuals and vote to ensure they have the tools and support necessary. The first priority of every elected official is to ensure the public’s safety. The best way to do that is to stand solidly behind law enforcement… more now than ever.”

Pottsville: Dan Meuser released the following statement after winning the election for Congress in Pennsylvania’s 9th District.

“First of all, I want to thank the voters for the faith they have placed in me to represent the 9th Congressional District in the U.S. Congress.,” Meuser said. “This was a hard fought election and I have to thank our volunteers, supporters, elected officials and our campaign team for their tireless dedication to our campaign. Campaigning is a WE effort and tonight’s results prove that. I also must thank my wife Shelley, my children and our entire family and friends for their support and encouragement. I couldn’t have done this without the sacrifices and support they gave me.