IMPORTANT UPDATES from CONGRESSMAN SMUCKER

Thanks for subscribing to my E-Newsletter. In this edition, I want to share with you my frustration with Speaker Pelosi for refusing to come to the table to pass commonsense aid to support small businesses and families, updates about a bill I introduced to reduce scams on student loan borrowers, and other actions I took in Washington and around our district. It is critical we remain vigilant against COVID-19 and continue to practice CDC guidelines. You can always visit the dedicated coronavirus page on my website for additional information.

I enjoy hearing from you and responding to questions from your emails, phone calls and letters. If you’d like to share your concerns or opinions with me, or if you have questions about legislation or specific votes, you can send me an email here.

Happy Hanukkah:
To all who celebrate Hanukkah in our community, Chag Sameach! 

Operation Warp Speed Update:
Late Friday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced it approved the Pfizer vaccine for Emergency Use Authorization. Operation Warp Speed has been an outstanding achievement of public and private partnerships to deliver Americans with safe and effective vaccines and therapeutics to combat COVID-19.

We are making advancements with vaccines and therapeutics, but it is important to follow the CDC’s guidelines properly: wear a mask in public, practice social distancing, and wash your hands frequently (use hand sanitizer with 60% alcohol or more if you do not have access to soap and water). 

Supporting Small Businesses:
For months, Speaker Pelosi and House Democrats have blocked attempts to reopen the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which currently has more than $130 billion in unused aid. This is money that could immediately support the many small businesses in our district and across the nation. Unfortunately, Speaker Pelosi refuses to allow legislation to reopen this program with broad bipartisan support to advance. The PPP has helped thousands of businesses in our district support approximately 100,000 jobs in Lancaster and York Counties. Last week I joined CBS-21 to discuss the need for Speaker Pelosi to stop blocking targeted aid for small businesses.

I also joined WDAC radio to discuss the need for more small business relief in Congress and my thoughts on Gov. Wolf’s recent shutdown order.

On Thursday, I joined my colleagues in the House Republican Conference in calling Speaker Pelosi to let the House vote on this needed aid.

Recently, I joined State Rep. Kate Klunk at our district office in Hanover to speak with the Southern York County Business Association members about issues impacting their small businesses. Covid-19 and my support for the reauthorization of the targeted Paycheck Protection Program were two key topics.

I was glad to see Lancaster County utilizing CARES Act funding in partnership with Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology and Spanish American Civic Association to help people get employed and back to work.

Washington, DC Update:
On my way to vote this week, it was nice to see this year's Art Competition winner “Dog and Dino” on display in the Capitol! This year’s winning artist was Jemma L. of Garden Spot High School in the Eastern Lancaster County School District. Thank you to all that participated in this year’s competition.

My bipartisan legislation, the Stop Student Debt Relief Scams Act, is headed to President Trump’s desk to be signed into law after passing the House on Monday by a unanimous vote. I introduced this legislation last year with my colleague Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI). It was introduced in the Senate by Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Sen. Mike Braun (R-IN), Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE).

Our legislation would crack down on growing scams targeting student loan borrowers. These scams promise borrowers quick fixes to reduce or forgive borrowers’ debt and often claim to be associated with the federal government. Scammers are conning borrowers by pressuring them into fake repayment plans or charging them for information that U.S. Department of Education loan servicers provide for free. 

The Stop Student Debt Relief Scams Act will enhance law enforcement and administrative capabilities to identify and shut down student debt relief scams. The bill clarifies that it is a federal crime to access U.S. Department of Education systems for fraud, commercial advantage, or private financial gain. I am thankful that Congress advanced this commonsense and bipartisan legislation which will have an impact stopping student loan scams. 

To learn more about the Stop Student Debt Relief Scams Act visit my website.

This week, I spoke on the House Floor to support S. 461, the HBCUs PARTNERS Act, which had broad bipartisan and bicameral support to help pave a brighter and stronger future for HBCUs.

Honoring our Service Members:
Monday, December 7, was Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. We must honor and remember the American service members who lost their lives in defense of our nation.

December 13, 2020, celebrates the 384th birthday of the National Guard. From protecting the colonies prior to independence through the Revolutionary War and today, we thank them for protecting our nation.

Here to Help: 
If you have any questions or issues with a federal agency, please know that my office is here to assist you. You can call our district or Washington, DC offices for assistance or visit my website for any issue with a federal agency or department. If you were forwarded this email and wish to subscribe visit my website.

Thank you for subscribing to my newsletter! To stay up-to-date on my work in the district and Washington, be sure to follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. You can also check out my YouTube page where there are 100+ videos, many of which are direct responses to your questions.

Sincerely,

Lloyd Smucker
Member of Congress