Good afternoon and welcome to our Weekend Update.

First, I must address the politically motivated indictment of President Donald J. Trump by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. This prosecutor has an extreme bias against President Trump. He even 'Bragg-ed' during his election about going after Trump and his campaign.

I joined NewsmaxTV to discuss this issue. Make no mistake; the case against President Trump is built on a house of cards. No federal prosecutor would take this case. However, I believe the American people will see through this political stunt for the farce it is. Click here or below to watch my interview.

This week, the House Financial Services Committee held its first hearing on the recent bank failures related to Silicon Valley Bank. My colleagues and I asked Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision, Michael Barr, some very pointed questions. Unfortunately, Mr. Barr didn’t have many answers for why the Fed did not properly heed the repeated warning signs related to Silicon Valley Bank before its collapse. Likewise, there were no answers for where we go from here to prevent other bank collapses. My concern remains regarding new rules that will negatively impact our regional and community banks. I joined Maria Bartiromo on Fox Business to discuss the hearing and banking situation. Click here or below to watch.

During last year's General Election, the Committee on Administration held a hearing in Washington this week regarding the paper ballot shortage debacle in Luzerne County. Unbelievably, officials in Luzerne County’s Bureau of Elections refused to testify and have, to date, not addressed what happened, nor have they discussed any corrective steps they have taken to prevent this issue from occurring in the future. We must always work to ensure, and in this case, restore the public’s confidence in the electoral process. Click here to watch my remarks on this issue. 

Earlier this week, I joined RJ Harris on WHP 580 about implementing common sense, uniform voting measures in Pennsylvania. We also discussed the hearing in Luzerne County and our ongoing efforts to restore the public’s trust in our electoral process.

House GOP Passes Bill to Lower Energy Costs

This week, the U.S. House passed H.R. 1, The Lower Energy Costs Act, which was passed by a vote of 225-204. I co-sponsored the bill and spoke in favor of it on the House Floor. I had the honor to preside over the U.S. House during the floor debate on this critical piece of legislation.

Last year, House Republicans committed to the American people to pass legislation lowering energy costs for families and small businesses. H.R. 1, The Lower Energy Costs Act delivers on this promise by implementing policies that allow us to unleash the energy resources that exist within our own borders, like the abundant natural gas in the Marcellus shale, and reduce our dependence on foreign nations who do not produce energy as cleanly as we do in Pennsylvania. To read more about the bill, click here for a story about the vote in The Daily Review.

Additionally, I joined C-SPAN to discuss H.R. 1, the importance of lowering energy costs, and some proposed banking regulations that will hurt our community lenders. Click here or below to watch.

On Monday, we were joined by Williamsport Mayor Derek Slaughter this week in Washington, D.C., where I got to catch up with him on the city's priorities and how my office can help better serve the great people of Williamsport.

On Wednesday, State Treasurer Stacy Garrity visited Washington, D.C., where she and I discussed important ongoing issues. Treasurer Garrity is doing a fantastic job in Pennsylvania, and we enjoy working together to benefit our great Commonwealth.

On Friday, I spoke at the Pennsylvania Leadership Conference, where I spoke about important priorities and making sure we’re putting America First. The world looks to America for leadership, and leading is what we must do.

Later, I attended a great event hosted by Americans for Prosperity with special guest Guy Benson from Fox News. 

Finally, many other great leaders from Pennsylvania and I gathered at the pre-dinner reception with Kellyanne Conway.

IN NEWS YOU WON’T HEAR IN THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA: What shouldn’t be lost in District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s outrageous attack on President Trump is just how awful his record is on crime. Of all the Soros-backed extreme liberal “prosecutors,” Bragg is one of the worst on crime!

• According to the New York Post, “since taking office … Bragg has downgraded 52% of felony cases to misdemeanors — compared to 39% in all of 2019.”
  
  
  • The Post: “When serious felony charges are brought, Bragg’s office wins a conviction just 51% of the time — down from 68% in 2019, the last year before the pandemic disrupted the court system.”
    
    
• It’s the result of a pro-violent crime agenda Bragg began on day one with one of his very first actions ordering prosecutors to downgrade many violent crimes, stop seeking prison sentences for many violent criminals, and not prosecute serious crimes like resisting arrest.
  
  
  • Police say Bragg “emboldened” violent criminals, with one NYC police union president saying Bragg’s “message was sent to the criminal element… I believe they feel 100% emboldened. And not only are the police in danger, but the public is in grave danger."

In one horrifying example of Bragg’s warped priorities, “A man accused of raping his teenage relative secured a sweetheart plea deal [from Bragg] — and then went on to allegedly sexually terrorize five people in the Bronx just a month later.”

Tragically, that is not the only example of repeat offenders viciously attacking innocent people in Manhattan. In November, a woman was brutally raped by a homeless man with 25 prior arrests.

The dangerous pro-crime agendas of far-left prosecutors and governors are destroying lives. Bragg is one of the worst offenders. 

This week, we paused to mark one year since the death of Lebanon Police Department Lt. William Lebo in the line of duty while responding to a domestic disturbance. Lt. Lebo spent 40 years on the force and was 30 days away from retirement when he was killed. Our hearts go out to his widow, Lora, his family, and all those who feel his loss. Also joining us in remembrance were Pa. Sen. Chris Gehard, Commissioners Bob Phillips, Michael Kuhn, and District Attorney Pier Hess Graf.

Dan Meuser