Dear Neighbor,

Last week, we announced our 2027 Community Project Funding requests for local projects throughout our region. They include projects for every county in the 16th Congressional District! Below, you can find the full list of projects and learn what they mean for your area. Plus, we recap a busy week in Washington.

In this week's newsletter:

• 2027 Community Project Funding requests
• Our Legislative Recap: Reopening DHS & Farm Bill Passes
• My IRS Whistleblower bill passes the U.S. House
• 2026 Congressional Art Competition Winners Announced

2027 Community Project Funding requests

Last week, I announced our Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Community Project Funding Requests.

These 20 funding requests cover all six counties in our district. The House Appropriations Committee will review these requests during budget negotiations in the months ahead. A final decision on the projects is expected to be announced later this year.

As we review projects each year, we are always looking for those that provide the greatest return on investment for taxpayer dollars. These projects certainly do just that. I believe it's important for everyone to remember: this isn't Washington's money. These are your tax dollars at work in your community.

Click here to find the full list of 2027 Community Project Funding requests!

Our Legislative Recap: Reopening DHS & Farm Bill Passes

• This week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed by voice vote a measure to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) -- including funding for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Secret Service, and other agencies -- after the majority of congressional Democrats previously voted to keep DHS shut down for more than 70 days.
  
  This vote follows a separate vote Wednesday night to advance a budget resolution that would fund Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The budget resolution, commonly referred to as "Reconciliation 2.0," would allow congressional Republicans to pass DHS funding -- specifically for ICE and Border Patrol employees -- by a simple majority in both the House and Senate.
  
  From the start, House Republicans have voted to fund DHS. Democrats have not. This legislation puts our national security and the American people first.

• On Thursday, I voted in favor of the "The Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026," also known as the Farm Bill. The Farm Bill is a comprehensive package of legislation that supports America's farmers, ranchers, agriculture producers, and more.
  
  The legislation now heads to the U.S. Senate for consideration.
  
  The Farm Bill's programs expand investments in rural communities, bring science-backed management back to our national forests, and restore regulatory certainty in the interstate marketplace.
  
  By The Numbers: How The Farm Bill Helps Pennsylvania Farmers
  
  $155 million more in projected risk projection over the next decade via ARC and PLC in Title I of the Farm Bill.
  30 million new base acres nationwide.
  Up to $41 million more every year in conservation through EQIP, ACEP, CSP, and RCPP programs.
  $30 million in savings for Pennsylvania producers thanks to more affordable crop insurance premiums.
  Saves over 46,000 family farms from the Death Tax.
  $1.25 billion invested in agricultural research facilities at public universities such as Pennsylvania State University.
  $1.1 billion investment in research, block grants, and crop insurance to support the $1.5 billion in specialty crops produced in Pennsylvania each year.
  Promotes national security with more than $1.6 billion for federal livestock biosecurity, protecting more than $5.8 billion in livestock and poultry products produced in Pennsylvania.

• I joined my Ways & Means Committee colleagues to vote in favor of a series of six bipartisan bills modernizing the John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood.
  
  The markup follows a roundtable featuring First Lady Melania Trump earlier this month, during which she advocated for these pro-family policies as part of her Fostering the Future Initiative.
  
  Strong families create strong communities. We must ensure families and children are set up for success, so no one has to endure hardships and trauma when all they are seeking is a loving home. Children are 25 percent of our population, but they are 100 percent of our future.

• Did you know: Medicare fraud, errors, and abuse cost American taxpayers more than $60 billion per year? Last week, the Ways & Means Committee held a hearing to crack down on this fraud. The Medicare Trust Fund, which funds Medicare, is projected to run out of money in 2033. 
  
  This isn't a Republican problem or a Democrat problem. It's an American problem because the American taxpayer is footing the bill for this fraud.
  
  Learn more about our hearing here and WATCH my remarks during the hearing here.

My IRS Whistleblower bill passes the U.S. House

On Monday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed my bipartisan legislation, the IRS Whistleblower Program Improvement Act. This commonsense bill seeks to strengthen and modernize the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) Whistleblower Awards Program.

The IRS Whistleblower Program Improvement Act advanced by a vote of 346-10. It now heads to the Senate for consideration.

This vote is a win for the American taxpayer and the American worker. Our commonsense, bipartisan legislation ensures the integrity of our Nation's tax laws. When individuals come forward to expose wrongdoing by tax cheats and fraudsters, they help to ensure our voluntary tax system remains fair for all Americans. Strengthening this program is a smart way to recover unpaid taxes while improving efficiency and accountability across the system.

2026 Congressional Art Competition Winners Announced

Above: Rep. Kelly with 1st place winner Ryker Riccadonna of Neshannock High School during a ceremony in Sharon.

Last week, we announced the winners of the 2026 Congressional Art Competition during a ceremony at the Hope Center for Arts & Technology (HopeCAT) in Sharon. 

Our office received more than 50 entries from 13 local schools for this year's competition. The winning art was selected by a panel of local judges, including artists and educators.

I want to personally congratulate all of this year's winners! We have so many talented students in the 16th Congressional District. Thank you to everyone who participated in this year's competition.

 

The winners are:

1st Place:  "Wonderland" by Ryker Riccadonna, Neshannock High School
2nd Place: "The Beholder's Eye" by Avery Marino, Girard High School
3rd Place: "Primary Place" by Harsha Vardhni Murali Santhakumari – Fairview High School
Honorable Mention – Midnight Watch – Ellie Baker – Sharpsville High School

Find more photos of the winners on our Facebook page.

WATCH the coverage on WKBN-TV!

As always, my team and I are here to serve you. If you need assistance with a federal agency, please contact us -- we are just one call or email away.

See you in the community, and God Bless America!

Sincerely,

Mike Kelly
Member of Congress

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