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.
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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Weekly Update - 8.29.21
Good afternoon and welcome to our Weekend Update.
First and foremost, Shelley and I want to extend our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to the families of the 13 brave American soldiers who lost their lives in Afghanistan this week due to a terrorist attack.
God Bless our men and women in the military and all Americans seeking a safe return home.
The Biden administration and Democratic leadership in Congress have shown a face of weakness, dishonesty, and dishonor. This entire situation was driven and created by politics, not intelligence. The administration has and continues to ignore the intelligence. This incredibly irrational plan pulled the military out before American civilians. We gave up a strategic airbase and billions of dollars of equipment.
Weekly Update - 8.22.21
Good evening and welcome to our Weekend Update.
As the situation in Afghanistan continues to worsen, it has become clear that there was and is no plan in place whatsoever. The Biden administration must do better. The situation in Afghanistan is an outright crisis unnecessarily created by the Biden Administration that will have long-term repercussions and ramifications.
We have thousands of Americans stuck in Afghanistan. Additionally, we have Afghans, including women, children and the translators that supported our effort, who are stuck in the country. While the Biden administration advises Americans and Afghans to get to the airport, they must pass through multiple Taliban checkpoints. Then they are told they aren't supposed to go to the airport due to the Taliban forces circling. In fact, it was reported today by Fox News that a network of hundreds of thousands of people, including many veterans, have started a digital Dunkirk. They are using satellite imagery to track the Taliban and help the Afghan interpreters get to the airport. Even when the government fails, the will of the American people, particularly our veterans, is strong. They always step up and can be counted on.
Meanwhile, the Biden administration is leaving these people high and dry. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin outrageously admitted they might not get all our people out. Their lives are in grave danger. Failure is not an option, and the Biden administration must stop making excuses, deflecting, and blaming others. Click here to watch my latest appearance on Newsmax to discuss the importance of having a plan to get these Americans and Afghans out as soon as possible.
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Weekly Update - 8.15.21
Good afternoon and welcome to our Weekend Update.
I want to begin by addressing the crisis evolving in Afghanistan where the Taliban is taking complete control of the country. This situation provides further proof that Biden is again dead wrong on foreign policy...deadly wrong. I have many friends in the district as well as know other members of Congress who served our nation bravely in Afghanistan. They are beside themselves with disbelief as to the whole situation... why did the Biden administration originally set September 11, 2021, as the withdrawal date for our troops, the 20th anniversary of the attack on our country? (Reminder: The 9/11 attack was orchestrated from a Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, which has and continues to maintain close relations with Al Qaeda.) Choosing this date was one of the most stupid decisions this incompetent White House has made.
Then the Biden administration moves up the withdrawal date to August 31. What has become clear is that the Biden administration is completely unprepared and has done no contingency planning. This is a dangerous situation for Afghans, our allies, and may have great ramifications on our own national security. Just this morning, the Afghan president fled the nation as the Taliban took over their capital city of Kabul. Click here to read a story from the Wall Street Journal. For the record, the Taliban took over the country in a week!
Throughout the 20 year history of this war, there have been countless Afghans who have stood with the United States. They are now being hunted by the Taliban and Al Qaeda. Congress saw this humanitarian crisis coming and as recently as late June pushed the Biden administration to act. (Pictured below at a press conference on this issue.)
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Weekly Update - 8.8.21
Good afternoon and welcome to our Weekend Update.
This week, our team was in the District traveling to various events. The 9thDistrict is home to our Commonwealth’s hardest working people, great communities to raise our families, and prosperous small businesses.
As someone who spent a career helping to build a small family business into a significant Pennsylvania employer, I enjoy talking to companies. Hearing their struggles and discussing ways we can help get the government out of their way so they can grow and prosper. One of the most significant challenges any job creator has faced is finding employees. Due to the extra unemployment bonuses supported by President Biden and the liberal wing of the Democratic Party, many businesses are struggling to find workers. It was announced that the U.S. unemployment rate did dip lower to 5.4%. Pennsylvania's unemployment rate stands at 6.9%. In states that are prospering, they have gotten rid of these incentives, which has helped attract workers back to the workforce. Pennsylvania has not.
We will never compete with the prosperous economies of Florida, Texas, Arizona, Utah or Georgia unless we have a governor who understands we must model our policies after the states and governors who are winning.
I met with our friends at the Schuylkill County Chamber of Commerce. I was joined by Bob Carl, the Chamber’s President and CEO and their team for their government affairs meeting.
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Weekly Update - 8.1.21
Good afternoon and welcome to our Weekend Update.
Another week in Washington, D.C., another week of dangerous and ineffective Democratic leadership. Much of this week was again spent debating and discussing transportation and infrastructure funding. Again, I have been clear; I support responsible transportation and infrastructure plans focused on real needs… fixing our roads, rebuilding our bridges, broadband infrastructure. I supported a responsible transportation plan when President Donald Trump was in office, as I do today.
What I cannot support is the $3.5 trillion plan being proposed by Speaker Nancy Pelosi and extreme liberal Democrats. First, the plan includes massive tax increases and spending on things unrelated to transportation and infrastructure, like the Green New Deal anti-jobs bill.
Second, the federal government has pumped trillions of dollars into the economy, resulting in rampant fraud. As elected officials, it is our duty to be good stewards of our tax dollars and account for every dollar spent. I am going to work as hard as I can to make sure this plan is defeated. We have gained Democrat support against the plan, and I am confident we can continue to build opposition.
I spoke with Charles Payne on Fox Business’ Making Money about the deal. Click here or below to watch.
In addition to the bill being filled with a litany of extreme liberal policy ideas and major tax increases, the federal government is incapable of executing a plan to dispense this amount of funds without experiencing epic levels of fraud.
Weekly Update - 7.25.21
Good afternoon and welcome to our Weekend Update.
This week we were back in D.C. as Democrat's insistence on extreme liberal partisan policies continues. The people need to know that progressive Democrats are holding a critical bill hostage with the threat of an outrageous expansion of government that is part of their agenda to grow government and the people's dependence on it. We are not a socialist country, and we must not threaten future generations with this multitrillion-dollar reconciliation bill that is not sustainable. The critically important bipartisan infrastructure bill is in jeopardy if it is perceived as a "Trojan horse" for a completely partisan $3.5 trillion reconciliation vote.
I joined Neil Cavuto on Fox Business to discuss the reconciliation plan and the need for hard infrastructure needs. Click here or below to watch.
I delivered a speech on the floor of the U.S. House on the importance of passing an impactful transportation and infrastructure package with no strings attached. Click here to visit our official Facebook page to view.
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