Dear Neighbor,

My team and I just wrapped up a successful district work period crisscrossing Pennsylvania's 16th Congressional District. Our stops included Erie, Butler, Meadville, New Castle, Ellwood City, and more. Let's recap our packed work period here in Pennsylvania and some of our latest news from Washington.

In this week's newsletter:

• A proposed U.S. Navy shipbuilding project in Erie
• Honoring our first 2026 Community Champion
• More than $20 million for local infrastructure projects
• Celebrating the March for Life

A proposed U.S. Navy shipbuilding project in Erie

My team and I had a great meeting with local leaders in Erie on Wednesday as we learned more about a proposed U.S. Navy shipbuilding project. This would be located at the former Erie Coke site. This initiative is projected to create thousands of jobs right here at home, and it would help to strengthen America's military for generations.

Did you know that China actually has more military-ready ships than the United States? Building more ships and strengthening our military is a national security necessity. This project will make America more competitive on the global stage, and there is no better place to build these ships than right here in Erie.

Watch part of our interview with WJET-TV about the project in the YouTube link above.

Honoring our first 2026 Community Champion

This week, we honored Phil and Laurie Davis, the first Community Champions of 2026 during a stop in Meadville.

Phil is the Commander of the Veterans of the Vietnam War Post 52 in Meadville and, together with his wife Laurie, have dedicated themselves to serving veterans in Crawford County. Additionally, Phil served in the United States Army from 1970-1971, during which time he was deployed to Vietnam.

Under Phil's and Laurie's leadership, The Post has packed boxes and sent them to deployed services members for 25 years. They have held a POW/MIA recognition day vigil and Motorcycle ride every year for over 27 years, and other community and veteran-related events. Additionally, they are one of the only Color Guard that perform Military Honors for veterans who pass away.  Phil and Laurie operate these initiatives only by donations and their Saturday Dinners to raise money.

Our 16th Congressional District is full of incredible service-minded military veterans and service members, and Phil and Laurie sure exemplify that. I want to thank them for their service for their incredible service to our local veterans and for their years of dedication to our country and to the Crawford County community.

Read my full remarks about Phil and Laurie in the Congressional Record here.

READ MORE:

• I sat down with The Meadville Tribune this week to discuss the latest news around the area and in Washington. Check out the full conversation here.
• My latest op-ed discussing the importance of Greenland to U.S. national security is in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

More than $20 million for local infrastructure projects

Last week, our office secured $20.6 million in Community Project Funding (CPF) grants for projects within Pennsylvania's 16th Congressional District. The projects were included in the legislation passed by the U.S. House on Thursday. The funding now goes to the Senate for approval.

I believe it's important for everyone to remember: this money isn't from the government. These are your taxpayer dollars at work in local communities.

The projects are:

• $7 million -- Ekastown West 3R Rehabilitation, Butler County
• $3 million -- State Route 422, Business Route 422 project, Lawrence County
• $3 million -- Erie County Industrial Park, Erie County
• $2.6 million -- City of Erie Emergency Operations Command Center, Erie County
• $2 million -- State Route 18, Wilmington Road Betterment, Lawrence County
• $2 million -- Erie Coke Demolition Project, Erie County
• $1.05 million -- Erie International Airport's Aircraft Rescue Firefighting Vehicle, Erie County

Learn more about the projects here.

Celebrating the March for Life

It was great to welcome so many folks from the area to Washington last week for the March for Life! Buses full of local residents made their way to the Nation's capital who wanted to make their voice heard and to support the unborn.

I'm also proud to announce that SBA Pro-Life America awarded my voting record with A+ rating for defending life in the halls of Congress.

The right to life is the foundation upon which all other rights are built.
 
 

As always, my team and I are here to serve you. If you need assistance with a federal agency, particularly as the new tax filing season begins, please contact us -- we are just one call or email away.

P.S.: Stay tuned for news about our upcoming telephone town hall regarding the new tax filing season and all of the benefits included in the Working Families Tax Cuts.

See you in the community, and God Bless America!

Sincerely,

Mike Kelly
Member of Congress

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