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Weekly Update - 11.7.21

Good afternoon and welcome to our Weekend Update.

On Tuesday, Pennsylvanians went to the polls and overwhelmingly elected Republican candidates for judge, mayor, council member, school board director, and other offices up and down the ballot. In addition, we are very fortunate that the people elected strong conservative statewide Republican Constitutional Judges. Congratulations to Supreme Court Justice-elect Kevin Brobson, Superior Court Judge-elect Megan Sullivan, and Commonwealth Court Judge-elect Stacy Wallace. Commonwealth Court Judge Drew Crompton’s election has yet to be decided. We are hopeful he will be victorious once the process is completed. (Pictured below with Supreme Court Justice-elect Kevin. Brobson.)

 

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Weekly Update - 10.31.21

Good evening and welcome to our Weekend Update.

I hope you and your family have had a Happy Halloween.

While it is not uncommon to see ghosts and goblins are walking the streets this time of year, the real scares are coming from far-left Democrats who are making it scary for hardworking Americans. Many across the country are struggling under the Biden administration and the Democrat leadership’s excessive tax-and-spend agenda that is causing record inflation, lower wages, supply-chain issues, and skyrocketing gas prices.

While the Biden administration continues its attempts to pass the “Build Back Better” agenda to address the growing disasters they created, the reality is that the result will only make things worse by dramatically increasing the size of government and spending. It would be more aptly named the “Build Back Broke” agenda. The New York Post details how the Biden administration’s “Build Back Better” agenda is the same socialist, far-left agenda drafted by Senator Bernie Sanders… just with a new name. Click here to read.  

 

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Weekly Update - 10.24.21

Good afternoon and welcome to our Weekend Update.

Border crisis, supply chain disaster, rising crime, high gas prices, out-of-control inflation, a lack of workers, and vaccine mandates… just another week in Washington, D.C.

While the Biden administration’s agenda and policies have led us directly into these issues, they are short on answers and have offered no real solutions. Biden held a nationally televised town hall with CNN. It was a friendly venue with softball questions. However, Biden was still unable to answer questions in a meaningful way. When asked about the crisis at the border, Biden lies about being at the border (no one can verify he has ever been there during his 50-year career) and admits he “should go down.” When asked about high gas prices, Biden says he has no solutions and guesses that gas prices may go down next year.  It’s not just Biden who has lied and made excuses that don’t square with reality… his press secretary was asked about Biden’s falling approval ratings, and she pushed the blame on the unvaccinated and said that people are just tired of them and the Covid-19 pandemic.

This week, the Washington Post released an op-ed that stated Americans shouldn’t rant about short-staffed stores and supply chain issues. Instead, they said Americans should lower their expectations. For the first time, I must credit the Washington Post as they have accurately summed up the Biden administration thus far… Joe Biden’s America - Lower your expectations.

 

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Weekly Update - 10.17.21

Good afternoon and welcome to our Weekend Update.

This week, the far-left Democrat House voted to increase the debt ceiling. I voted against the measure and spoke out against their efforts to increase our debt. It's reckless and an attempt to continue their push for a radical $5 trillion government spending package. They are pursuing a reconciliation bill as part of the Biden administration’s Build Back Better agenda, which will lead to higher taxes and lower wages crippling Main Street USA. There is no way to sell the Democrats’ disastrous tax and spend agenda to the American people, no matter how hard they try.

I joined Newsmax’s Wake Up America to discuss the Democrats’ plans to push through their $5 trillion spending plan as a means of implementing their socialist, big-government agenda. Click here or below to watch.

 

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Weekly Update - 10.10.21

Good afternoon and welcome to our Weekend Update.

While the U.S. Senate pushed through a deal to increase the debt ceiling for a few months, much of the conversation in Washington continued to center on the Democrat’s big government reconciliation package. It's impossible to negotiate a long-term deal on the debt ceiling without knowing the true cost of the increased spending Biden and the Democrats are attempting to implement. Unfortunately, the mixed messages from the Biden administration are making this more difficult to pin down. While the administration is requesting an increase of $3.5 trillion to the debt ceiling to handle the increased spending, Biden tells the American people the reconciliation plan costs nothing.

While the Democrat Party remains split on how much they should spend on the reconciliation bill, no one is asking the right questions… what is in the bill and what are we trying to accomplish. This bill is truly a discussion about America’s future. Do we want big-government socialism or free-market capitalism? Full stop. End of sentence. Period.

If we follow the facts, it is clear our nation does not need another stimulus plan. After all, our federal government spent $5.6 trillion last year, in a bipartisan manner, to bolster the economy during the first stages of the pandemic. We have allocated $1.9 trillion since Biden has been in office. Most of that money has not been spent.

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Weekly Update - 10.3.21

Good afternoon and welcome to our Weekend Update.

Again, I spent the week in Washington, D.C., where most of the discussion focused on spending… from raising debt ceilings… massive spending bills… and a transportation and infrastructure bill that is being held hostage in a battle between the liberal and moderate factions of the Democratic Party.

Last week, I wrote that Democrats don’t have a debt ceiling. In their “perfect” world, they would do away with the debt ceiling and ask the American people to give them a credit card with no spending limit. But, unfortunately, America’s credit cards are maxed out. So, rather than seriously begin focusing on reducing our nation’s debt to address a problem created by R’s and D’s, Democrats are seeking ways to accelerate the problem drastically.

I joined several media outlets to discuss the Democrat’s $3.5 trillion spending spree and the massive tax increases accompanying the bill. The Biden administration claims this proposal is revenue neutral and will be paid for by the massive tax increases on hard-working Americans.

 

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Weekly Report - 9.26.21

Good afternoon and welcome to our Weekend Update.

This week, we were in Washington, D.C., as the Biden administration continued to face several disasters of their own making. From the disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal, a push for massive tax-and-spend legislation, raging inflation, and the tragic situation at the border, the number of significant issues facing our nation continue to grow and worsen.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the House Democrats are currently pushing to enact $3.5 trillion in new spending, $2 trillion in additional taxes on hardworking Americans, amnesty for illegal immigrants, 1 million new IRS hires, and more debt. Of course, the Biden administration and Congressional Democrats want Congress to increase the debt ceiling while advocating for historic spending increases.

While I support transportation and infrastructure funding investments, this package is not an actual transportation and infrastructure spending plan. Pennsylvania will receive less than it should in its current funding structure. Providing safe and effective transportation and infrastructure is a core function of government. We need transportation and infrastructure bill for public safety and to help support and attract business.

Unfortunately, Democrats are holding transportation and infrastructure funding hostage to the biggest tax and spend bill in the history of our nation. The negatives of this bill far outweigh the positives, as it is linked to reconciliation. I would encourage the American people to call House Democrats and ask them to support transportation & infrastructure. But, when you talk to them, don't just say no, but HELL NO, to their huge, big government expansion plan. Their plan will crush the U.S. economy, opportunities, and the American dream for a generation… as long as transportation and infrastructure remain linked to this massive and reckless spending bill, I cannot support it.

After viewing the disruption in the House Democratic Caucus, I predict both will fail. Hogs get fat; pigs get slaughtered.

 

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Weekly Update - 9.19.21

Good afternoon and welcome to our Weekend Update.

Just when you think it can't get worse for the Biden administration… it does. Trust me; I am not celebrating this news because his failed agenda and mistakes are gravely hurting our nation.

This week, the Biden administration sabotaged a deal between France and Australia related to a nuclear submarine pact causing France to recall its ambassador. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) overwhelmingly voted down a key provision of Biden's Covid-19 booster shot plan… after he already secured the doses. Remember, Biden said we all needed booster shots without consulting the FDA. So much for following the science. Our southern border is being overwhelmed with illegal immigrants, mainly from Haiti.

And we got more bad news about the disastrous withdrawal in Afghanistan. The Biden administration revealed that a drone strike conducted by our military in Afghanistan last month tragically killed multiple civilians, including several children. At the time, the Biden administration called this a "righteous strike" on ISIS-K operatives who presented an imminent threat on Americans.

As a member of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, I began the week in Washington, D.C., to seek answers regarding the Biden administration's disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan. The first member of the Biden administration to testify was Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Perhaps not surprising, but just as frustrating, Secretary Blinken took no accountability when asked about the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan.

 

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Weekly Update - 9.12.21

Good afternoon and welcome to our Weekend Update.

Yesterday, we paused to observe the 20th anniversary of the tragedies of 9/11, and Shelley and I want to join you in prayer and remembrance for the individuals we lost that tragic day. We remember and pray for the families of those we lost. We thank and recognize the countless first responders who bravely rushed into burning buildings to save lives and those who dug through debris and rubble desperately trying to save lives. We also pay tribute to the brave American soldiers who put their lives on the line, some paying the ultimate price in defense of our nation.

On the morning of September 11, 2001, I, like you, remember it was a gorgeous morning. I kissed my wife and three-year-old daughter, Jacqueline, goodbye. I drove my seven-year-old daughter, Caroline, to school. I recall arriving at work, and within minutes was informed a plane hit a World Trade Center tower. Joined by a group in my office, we watched the horrific scenes unfold. We closed down Pride Mobility at noon and encouraged our people to go home to their families. That night, I finally connected with a good lifelong friend, New York police officer Tom Lowney, and discussed what I could do to help. He called me the next day and asked if we could bring some of our scooters to Ground Zero for use. The next day, I drove a truck filled with about twelve scooters into Manhattan.

At the time, I never asked why they needed them; I just acted. I later found that the Pride scooters were not required for the injured, as they weren't recovering injured. Instead, these scooters were for the firefighters and police supervisors to make the rounds at Ground Zero. Many of these supervisors were on the job 24 hours a day. 

When we made it down to the site, it was the worst scene imaginable. There was an awful stench and soot in the air. I'll never forget. However, what sticks out in my memory, even more were the large crowds lining the street leading to Ground Zero. The crowds were cheering the first responders, firefighters, police, and volunteers going back and forth. These patriotic Americans were there in the mornings through 11 p.m. when we left. The flags, banners, blessings, thanks, and encouraging voices were so inspiring. Americans, and undoubtedly many others from around the world, from every walk of life, stood together UNITED behind our nation. They had confidence our country would make it through this tragedy.

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Weekly Update - Labor Day

Happy Labor Day, and welcome to our Weekend Update.

For those in our commonwealth, neighboring states, Louisiana, and other parts of the nation impacted by Hurricane Ida, Shelley, and I want to extend our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to each of you. This storm was particularly destructive in the southern portion of the 9th District as the rain came down at record rates. It was devastating for many farms, washing out crops, and communities where the amount of rain being dumped was far too much for our infrastructure to handle. If any constituents require the services of my office, please don't hesitate to call at 570-871-6370. (Roads in Lebanon County pictured below)

This week, the Biden administration took a victory lap on ending the war in Afghanistan. After their disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan, where just last week we lost 13 brave American troops, it’s hard to see how the administration’s failed plans and actions were anything but an unmitigated disaster. The Biden administration caved to the Taliban and abandoned an arsenal of weapons and equipment. (See chart below from Wall Street Journal)

Worst of all, the Biden administration chose to leave hundreds of Americans and our allies behind. It’s a black mark on our nation that we left Americans behind to be beaten or worse. A fact that even Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was forced to admit. The arbitrary withdrawal date should have been delayed until we got Americans and our equipment out or disabled effectively. Biden needed to tell, not ask for permission, from the Taliban to move the withdrawal date. I joined “Mornings with Maria” on Fox Business to discuss further. Click here or below to watch.

I joined Newsmax to discuss the Afghanistan withdrawal and the Biden administration's decision to ignore the intelligence regarding the major issues facing withdrawal and the Taliban's rise to power. Click here or below to watch.

 

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