Good afternoon, and welcome to our Weekend Update.

For 47 years, Iran has been ruled by an evil regime that has spread death and terrorism across the region and the world. President Trump has given the Iranian leadership many opportunities to negotiate and relinquish their terrorist goals. It is up to their leadership to step up, do what’s best for the people of Iran, and to abandon their self-imposed mindset of martyrdom. I joined "Bianca Across the Nation" on Newsmax in the studio to discuss. Click here or below to watch my interview.

I joined "Varney & Co." on Fox Business in New York to discuss recent developments with the Iran conflict. America’s objectives have been clear from the start of Operation Epic Fury: no nuclear weapons, no more terrorism, and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Every Gulf nation supports the President’s goals, yet Democrats in Washington continue to put politics above national security both at home and abroad. Click here or below to watch.

I recently joined "The Sam Lesante Show" to discuss Democrat leadership’s refusal to fund the Department of Homeland Security, the latest on the Iran conflict and other important topics. Click here or below to watch.

Last week, I joined “Mornings with Maria” on Fox Business to discuss the latest on DHS funding and the path forward to end the shutdown.

The bill the House received, delivered in the middle of the night on Friday, failed to fund border security and immigration enforcement, effectively zeroing out the very agencies responsible for keeping our country safe. That is simply unacceptable given the scale of the illegal immigration that has occurred.

We have two options to resolve this shutdown: (1) use reconciliation to fund national security because the Democrats refuse to, or (2) remove the filibuster so we can reopen DHS.

Either way, this needs to happen immediately so the American people do not have to suffer any further at the hands of this Democrat induced shutdown. Click here or below to watch.

Additionally, last week, I joined Newsmax’s “Wake Up America” to discuss the latest on DHS funding.

The White House and Republicans in Congress have been negotiating in good faith to reach a resolution, but Democrat leadership has refused any solution that doesn't defund border patrol and immigration enforcement.

Despite this, the House passed legislation on Friday to fund all of DHS, including TSA and the Coast Guard, as well as key operations like border security and immigration enforcement. And thanks to the action taken by President Trump, TSA agents are being paid, which has already resulted in reduced wait times at airports. Click here or below to watch.

Early Monday morning, I joined the “RJ Harris Breakfast Show” on WHP-580to discuss the latest developments on DHS funding and President Trump's action to pay TSA agents. Despite Democrat leadership’s refusal to fully fund DHS, House Republicans passed legislation to fund the department, including critical border security and law enforcement operations. Click hereor below to listen.

I joined “The Bob Cordaro Show” on WILK Newsradio to discuss the ongoing DHS shutdown and what needs to be done to end it.

The bill the House received on Friday was not satisfactory. It read that funding for “U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement” and “Border Security Operations” shall be set at $0.

We should use every available tool, whether that’s advancing a reconciliation package or removing the filibuster, to ensure we can pass legislation to fully fund DHS as soon as possible. Click here or below to listen.

IN NEWS YOU WON’T HEAR IN THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA: Your tax refund is bigger this year.

Tax Day is around the corner, and more money is going back where it belongs: in Pennsylvanians’ pockets.

Thanks to President Trump and Republicans’ Working Families Tax Cuts, the average IRS refund is up nearly 11% from last year, as Americans benefit from no taxes on tips and overtime, bonus deductions for seniors, a higher child tax credit, an increased standard deduction, Trump Accounts, and more.

REMINDER: Every single Democrat voted to raise taxes on American families, seniors, and small businesses.

Last week, it was great to join Senator Dave McCormick and FBI Director Kash Patel for an important event on combating fentanyl and drug trafficking across Pennsylvania.

This event brought together law enforcement officials from across the Commonwealth to address the devastating impact these drugs have had on our communities and to strengthen coordination at every level.

Good to see my colleague Congressman Ryan Mackenzie in attendance as well as so many dedicated state and local elected officials committed to keeping our communities safe. We will continue working together to support law enforcement, hold traffickers accountable, and protect Pennsylvania families.

This week, I was glad to join PA State Rep. Robert Leadbetter's Farmers Breakfast in Columbia County. It was a strong turnout, with many farmers in attendance and a great opportunity to connect directly with the hardworking men and women who keep Pennsylvania agriculture moving. I appreciated the chance to hear firsthand about the priorities facing our farming community and the opportunity to share what we’re doing at the federal level to support them.

Thank you to PA Farm Bureau President Chris Hoffman, PA Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding, Columbia County Commissioner David Kovach, and Senator McCormick’s office for joining the discussion, and to everyone who took the time to be there. These conversations are critical as we work to ensure a strong future for agriculture across our region.

Later, I joined the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce for their Pennsylvania’s Power Future event to discuss the forces driving today’s energy challenges, the growing demands of the data center economy, and what business leaders should consider as they navigate this pivotal moment. We discussed Pennsylvania’s growing energy demand and the need to strengthen the grid, noting that while the Commonwealth is a net electricity exporter, burdensome permitting, a lack of new generation since 2019, and insufficient investment in generation and transmission are limiting in-state growth and long-term stability needed to attract businesses and develop the workforce. Thank you to Chamber President & CEO Jason Fink for moderating a strong panel including Christine Martin, President of PPL Electric Utilities, Becky Ford of AWS, and Representative David Rowe. Always good to see Representative Joe Hamm and Representative Jamie Flick, who joined us for this important conversation.

Afterward, we visited the Williamsport Lumber Yards Sports Complex with the Chamber and Christine Martin to see firsthand the continued investment and growth happening in the region. Set to open very soon, this 28-acre complex will feature six lighted turf fields, a collegiate-size field, and modern amenities for tournaments, leagues, and community events. The project is expected to attract nearly 175,000 visitors annually and serve as a strong economic driver for the region.

On Thursday, I joined the Wyoming County Chamber of Commerce at their annual Legislative Breakfast in Tunkhannock. I appreciated the opportunity to participate in a panel discussion alongside local and state leaders to discuss the issues that matter most to Wyoming County, including the work we’re doing to support small businesses. Through my work on the House Committee on Small Business, we’re focused on lowering taxes, providing regulatory relief, and expanding access to capital. It is great to see firsthand the individuals and businesses impacted by these policies.

Thank you to Chamber President Francene Pisano for hosting a great event and for her continued leadership in strengthening partnerships and expanding opportunities for local businesses. Also in attendance were Senator Lisa Baker, State Representative Tina Pickett, Wyoming County Commissioners Ernie King, Rick Wilbur, and Tom Henry, District Attorney Joe Peters, along with Tunkhannock Mayor Stacey Huber, all doing important work on behalf of Wyoming County.

These are important conversations, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to hear directly from local leaders and continue working together to move our communities forward.

Later, I was honored to attend a special ceremony at the Wyoming County Courthouse alongside Senator Lisa Baker and Representative Tina Pickett, recognizing individuals who have voted for 50 consecutive years.

Voting is one of our most important civic responsibilities, and this level of consistency and commitment speaks volumes about the strength of our community and the value of having your voice heard. It’s also why efforts like the SAVE (Safeguard American Voter Eligibility) Act are so important to ensuring the integrity of our elections and protecting individuals' ability to continue exercising their right to vote, as the nine honored did.

Thank you to those recognized for setting such a powerful example of dedication, responsibility, and engagement in our democratic process.

Finally, we attended an event at Cigars on Market in Williamsport for a fundraiser hosted by Anthony and Amber Mussare. It was a great opportunity to highlight the work we’ve been doing to support the cigar industry and all small businesses across Pennsylvania.

I was glad to be joined by State Representatives David Rowe, Jamie Flick, and Robert Leadbeter, who shared valuable insight into their work at the state level and their commitment to our communities. I was also honored to have Senator Dave McCormick join us and offer remarks about our partnership and the work we’re doing together in Congress.

Appreciate everyone who came out, your support and engagement make this work possible, and it’s partnerships like these that continue to move our country forward.

Anthony and Amber Mussare have created one of the best venues in the region. Great food, outstanding service, incredible people and hosts. Please check them out.

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