Good afternoon, and welcome to our Weekend Update. I want to begin by wishing everyone a Happy Columbus Day tomorrow.

Before we review the latest on the Schumer-Jeffries Democrat Government Shutdown, I have to discuss the historic peace deal between Israel and Hamas negotiated by President Donald Trump. President Trump is the Peace President and should win the Nobel Peace Prize for his achievements. Two years after the atrocious terrorist attacks in Israel, it finally appears that the Israeli hostages and victims will be returned to their families.

IN NEWS YOU WON'T HEAR IN THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA: Chuck Schumer’s disgusting claim that “every day gets better“ is a sickening display of elitist indifference as the Democrat Shutdown plunges hardworking Americans into anxiety, despair, and financial ruin. His arrogance lays bare the Democrats’ sick betrayal of service members missingpaychecks, families turning to food pantries to survive, small businesses teetering on the brink, and travelers facing excruciating delays.

Democrats should listen to the Americans across the country paying the price for their political games:

• A military spouse whose family is in crisis as service members go without pay: “Definitely terrifying thinking in my head, ‘Oh God, how are we going to pay for our bills? How are we going to afford our rent? How are we going to pay for her formula, her diapers, everything?’ Our military, they’re the ones that sign the government contract to go fight for our country. But our lawmakers who are supposed to be in charge of our country, they aren’t really doing what’s best for the American people.”

• An air traffic controller who is asked to fulfill their critical job responsibilities without the certainty of their next paycheck: “The financial anxiety doesn’t just hurt morale; it directly affects safety. When someone responsible for thousands of lives a day is worrying about whether they can pay rent or feed their kids, focus suffers. Sometimes that small moment where your mind is elsewhere can have serious impacts. Controllers were already underwater with pay and staffing before the shutdown. Now, we’re drowning.”
  
  

• A small business owner who has already laid off five of his 80 employees after the Democrat Shutdown triggered a stop-work order on one of his projects: “That’s a very scary place to be in as an entrepreneur.”
  
  
• A federal contractor whose ability to provide for her family is in jeopardy as she stares down a loss of income: “Stop this. Stop messing with people. We have families who depend on us… I don’t know how I’m going to feed my kids or pay my mortgage.”
  
  
• A hair salon owner whose livelihood depends on business from the large number of federal employees in the area: “Whether I have clients or not, I still have to pay for the business. More people have been calling to reschedule or having to cancel their appointments because they don’t know if they’re going to get paid… If we don’t get clients, we don’t get paid.”
  
  
• A TSA agent who is expected to work without knowing when his next paycheck will come: “Federal employees are feeling like pawns right now in the middle of a game.”
  
  
• A tourist whose trip to the nation’s capital is dashed by the closures of iconic government attractions: “I’m really frustrated. I don’t see there’s any reason for it. I mean, the demolition of the core values of our society — it’s devastating. It’s sad.”

Hakeem Jeffries is no better. He has had no answer to justify the shutdown, as it contradicts every past statement they have made about past government shutdowns. Click here or below to watch Jeffries attempt to talk his way through the hypocrisy. Spoiler... it doesn't go well. 

Americans want the Democrat Shutdown to end — and know Democrats are to blame.

On Monday, I joined The Sean Spicer Show to set the record straight on the Democrats’ shutdown, their reckless spending demands, and President Trump’s historic efforts to broker peace between Israel and Hamas for the first time in years.

We’re seeing progress both at home and abroad — it’s time to responsibly reopen the government and get back to work. Democrats must prioritize their constituents over obstruction for political gain. Watch the full interview by clicking here or below.

Special thanks to PA Chamber President Luke Bernstein and the entire PA Chamber team for organizing such an outstanding event, to the Hershey Lodge for their hospitality, and to Dennis Owens for a great and incredibly informative interview.

We need policies that deliver results and spending that serves taxpayers, not ideologies. Click here or below to watch.

On Wednesday morning,I joined The Chris Stigall Show to discuss the Democrats’ politically motivated shutdown.

Republicans and President Trump remain committed to reopening the government & continuing our work for the American people. Click here or below to watch.

On Wednesday evening, I joined the Pennsylvania GOP and Chairman Greg Rothman for their tribute event celebrating Bob Asher’s lifetime of leadership and service to our Party. I was glad to hear from Governor Ron DeSantis and to join so many elected officials, business leaders, and advocates for American values in honoring Bob’s extraordinary impact and more than 70 years of service.

We also heard from former Pennsylvania Governors Tom Corbett, Mark Schweiker, and Tom Ridge, who shared thoughtful remarks.

Bob Asher is one of the most patriotic and hardworking Pennsylvanians I know, always striving to give our Commonwealth and our country the best government possible.

On Thursday, I joined "The Rich Zeoli Show" on 1210 WPHT to discuss President Trump’s historic peace plan as well as the government shutdown. Click here or below to listen.

On Thursday evening, I had the pleasure of joining the Lackawanna County GOP for their annual Fall Dinner. We were proud to honor Bob Pettinato for his decades of service and unwavering dedication to Lackawanna County and all of Northeastern Pennsylvania.

A special thank you to the Lackawanna County Republican Committee for hosting a wonderful evening and for your continued efforts to strengthen our Party.

On Friday, I joined "Newsline" on Newsmax to discuss how Democrats are putting politics before the American people, plain and simple.

Every word out of Democrat leadership on this shutdown, from Schumer to Jeffries, has been false. They voted to shut down the government, hurting small businesses, putting military pay at risk, and freezing vital programs like WIC and telehealth. There’s no justification, no gain, only pain, except for Schumer, who seems to be celebrating as long as his radical base is happy.

And if that weren’t enough hypocrisy, NY AG Letitia James, who campaigned on “getting Trump,” was indicted by a federal grand jury. Looks like karma’s catching up. As she once said herself, no one is above the law. Click here or below to watch.

On Friday, President Trump announced a major agreement with AstraZeneca, which will now lower prescription drug costs for Medicare and other major pharmaceuticals at a steep discount directly to consumers through TrumpRx. In addition to offering prescription drugs at lower costs to consumers, AstraZeneca committed $50 billion towards on-shoring manufacturing and research and development.

This follows his recent announcement of a similar agreement with Pfizer, further expanding access to affordable prescription drugs for all Americans. I’ve been a strong advocate of lowering prescription drug prices for both public and private payers and will work to ensure more pharmaceutical companies negotiate with the Trump Administration and pass on savings to consumers.

I highly commend President Trump for his leadership on this extremely important issue, and I will continue to work with him to reduce our country's deficit spending and lower costs for working families and all Americans.

ELECTION UPDATE:

October 20th is the deadline to register to vote in this Fall’s Election. If you are not registered or would like to update your registration, it takes only a couple of minutes to complete online using the link below.

Maria Battista for Superior Court

Matt Wolford for Commonwealth Court

If you would like to request a mail-in ballot, please click on the link below.

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