Weekly Update - 7.5.25

Happy 4th of July weekend, and welcome to our Weekend Update.

The major news this week was the passage and signing of President Donald J. Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB). My constituents have made it clear: They want border security, lower taxes, American energy dominance, and fiscal responsibility.

That’s exactly what the OBBB delivers.

✅ Secures the border—regardless of who’s president

✅ Stops a historic tax hike on working families

✅ Prevents 40% tax increases on small businesses

✅ Unleashes U.S. energy production to lower costs and fight inflation

✅ Delivers real savings and responsible growth

This bill helps make America—and Pennsylvania—Great Again.

 

Click here or below to read my statement on the passage of the OBBB!

I released a video talking about the OBBB. Click here or below to watch.

The House Republican Caucus released a video encouraging votes for the OBBB, and a recent media interview I conducted was featured in it. Click hereor below to watch.

I joined "@ Night with Trace Gallagher" on Fox News very early on Thursday morning to discuss the passage of the OBBB. Click here or below to watch.

Later, I conducted an interview on "Varney & Co." on Fox News Business to discuss the OBBB. Click here or below to watch.

Additionally, I called into "The Bob Cordaro Show" on WILK-FM to set the record straight on the OBBB!. Click here or below to listen.

The House’s version of the OBBB rightly sought to remove all illegal immigrants—roughly 1.4 million—from Medicaid rolls. While the Senate ruled that provision out under the Byrd Rule, the final compromise still ensures Medicaid’s integrity and protects resources for American citizens:

  • Illegal immigrants are no longer eligible for Medicaid, except in very limited emergency situations, which account for less than 4% of all claims. Under federal law, emergency medical care will continue to be provided to all who require treatment.

  • Starting Oct. 1, 2026, states with illegal immigrants enrolled in their Medicaid program will see their federal reimbursement reduced, shifting more of the cost to states that choose to ignore federal law.

  • Only U.S. citizens, nationals, or lawful residents will qualify for full Medicaid reimbursement—the other 96% of claims.

This isn’t about denying care—it’s about ensuring that care goes to those who are here legally and preserving the long-term integrity of Medicaid. If blue states want to continue subsidizing illegal immigration, they’ll have to do it without relying on federal taxpayers.

If Congress didn't pass the One Big Beautiful Bill, we would have guaranteed a $4 trillion tax hike on the American people, raising taxes on 165 million taxpayers and over 33 million small businesses. That’s the reality.
The bill addresses the failures of the Biden presidency—unchecked spending, high inflation, stagnant growth, dependence on foreign energy, and a refusal to secure the border. We’re now spending $1 trillion a year just to cover interest payments on a $37 trillion national debt. That’s unsustainable. And it’s why this bill delivers meaningful savings, including necessary reforms to Medicaid and SNAP.
Since 2018, federal Medicaid spending has surged 60%—from $382 billion to $614 billion in 2023. Yes, some of that came during COVID, but it was never corrected. A huge share of that growth is driven by illegal immigration, lax eligibility enforcement, and governors like Josh Shapiro who refuse to implement basic integrity measures. In fact, according to the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office, our state has one of the highest rates of Medicaid-related criminal activity in the nation.
Let’s be clear: no one who is eligible for Medicaid or SNAP will lose coverage—full stop. These reforms simply ensure the programs are sustainable and focused on the people they were meant to serve: seniors, the disabled, and low-income families.
That’s what makes Governor Shapiro’s attacks so misleading. Non-partisan estimates show the number of people potentially impacted is a fraction of what he suggests. And to be clear, the only Medicaid beneficiaries who could be impacted fall into just three categories:
(1) illegal immigrants
(2) people who are ineligible under the law
(3) able-bodied adults who refuse to meet a basic 20-hour-per-week work, education, or volunteer requirement—even after a 90-day grace period
Shapiro’s statement signals that he’s comfortable with illegal immigrants drawing taxpayer-funded benefits and willing to let Medicaid and SNAP be exploited by those who were never meant to be on the rolls.
Shapiro and Democrats are fighting to grow government by increasing taxes on working people and small businesses. Republicans are fighting to grow savings, income, and the American economy, while limiting the size and scope of government. If Governor Shapiro wants to make the case for the status quo, he’s free to do so. But the American people—and the Pennsylvania taxpayers footing the bill—deserve better.

A recent article in our region was misleading about the facts related to nutrition assistance and support for local farmers. So, let’s set the record straight:

While the article focused on farmers market vouchers, it failed to mention that the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program—which those vouchers were designed to supplement, not replace—is on track to receive a $100 million funding increase in FY2026. Those dollars go directly to local farmers and producers.

  • The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (meals for seniors) is increasing from $338.6 million in FY2025 to $425 million in FY2026, an $87 million increase.

  • The WIC Nutrition Program—the USDA’s largest nutrition initiative—is increasing from $7.6 billion to $7.7 billion, a $100 million increase.

These are real, meaningful increases that directly benefit local farmers and families in need.

Meanwhile, a recent Citizens Voice article focused on a small, supplemental voucher program that was never intended to be a primary source of funding. While the Farmers Market Nutrition Program is being reduced by $8.5 million (nationwide), that reduction is offset tenfold by a $100 million increase to the core WIC program, which supports the same families in a far more substantial and reliable way.

Reporting focused on a supplemental program while ignoring a substantial funding increase is classic misdirection and disingenuous. So, don’t be misled—funding for nutrition assistance is increasing, not decreasing. Local farmers should not worry, despite fearmongering from many Democrat leaders and the press.

IN NEWS YOU WON’T HEAR IN THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA: The One Big Beautiful Bill just PASSED the U.S. Senate, moving the landmark legislation one step closer to President Donald J. Trump’s desk — and once again, it was done without the support of a single Democrat.

This is what Democrats just unanimously opposed:

  • Lower taxes and bigger paychecks. This means bigger paychecks with the most significant tax cut in history for middle- and working-class Americans — plus No Tax on Tips, No Tax on Overtime, No Tax on Social Security, an expanded child tax credit, and a tax break on car loans for American-made vehicles.

  • Strong border security. This fortifies President Trump’s unprecedented border enforcement action, which includes funding to deport one million illegal immigrants per year, finish the border wall, and hire 10,000 new ICE officers, 5,000 new Customs officers, and 3,000 new Border Patrol agents.

  • Protecting Medicaid for American citizens who need it. This strengthens Medicaid for Americans who rely on it — like pregnant women, children, seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income families — while eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse.

  • Modernizing air traffic control. This allows President Trump to completely overhaul and improve the systems that keep Americans flying safely and efficiently.

  • Revolutionizing the nation’s defense. This funds President Trump’s Golden Dome missile defense shield, restocks America’s arsenal, delivers the largest Coast Guard upgrade since World War II, and improves our military readiness.
  • Protecting family farmers. The bill prevents punitive double taxation from hitting two million family farms.
  • Unleashing American energy dominance. This finally ends Biden’s war on American energy and drives down energy costs, making America less dependent on foreign adversaries.

  • Reversing runaway spending. This slashes deficits by over $2 trillion and rescinds billions of dollars in wasteful funding for Biden’s Green New Scam.

Sean Hannity on Fox News gave great commentary on the OBBB on Wednesday night. Click here or below to watch.

The Democrats don’t like that President Trump and Republicans are reforming the government, and miss the Biden administration days of overspending, open borders, and putting American taxpayers last. Want proof? Look no further than a recent U.S. Senate hearing featuring Secretary of Energy Chris Wright and U.S. Senator John Kennedy discussing Biden’s pillaging of $93 billion in taxpayer funds. Click here or below to watch. This is why we need serious people, not ideologues, in the room making decisions.

As the American public has gotten to witness repeatedly, the only move the Democrats can make is to obstruct, filibuster, or talk over anyone who objects to their warped ideology. Here is an example from a recent hearing I chaired. In this clip, Congresswoman Maxine Waters blows by the rules of the committee to attack President Trump (the only thing the left knows how to do). Click hereor below to watch.

On Monday evening, I joined Congressman Rob Bresnahan for an event in support of his campaign. He had a fantastic turnout at the one and only Isabella’s in Luzerne County. As I stated in my introduction, I am proud to serve alongside Rob because he works diligently for his district, for Pennsylvania, and the American people, while also being a great team player in Congress. He fights, but he, as well, understands when it’s time to be a member of the Trump team.

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

Dan Meuser

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  • Michael Barley
    published this page in Latest News 2025-07-05 12:13:42 -0400