IMPORTANT UPDATES from CONGRESSMAN SMUCKER

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I want to share with you updates from Washington and my thoughts on the partisan spending bill that was masqueraded as a “COVID-19 relief package." It is critical we remain vigilant against COVID-19 and continue to practice CDC guidelines.

As we continue to battle COVID-19 and start to vaccinate more Americans, I want to once again thank our brave frontline workers: their commitment to keeping our nation safe has not waivered and for that we remain extremely grateful.

I enjoy hearing from you and responding to questions from your emails, phone calls, and letters. If you would 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.

Washington, DC Update
It has been another week in Washington full of Congressional Democrats focusing on forcing through their partisan agenda. Their so called "American Rescue Plan" does not crush the virus, does not help Americans get back to work, and does not get students back in the classroom. This final bill has been called “COVID-19 relief.” Only nine percent of the $1.9 trillion in spending goes towards public health spending, while billions are spent on non-COVID-19 related policies. This bill has been called “a stimulus plan.” If this is a stimulus plan, where are the jobs? President Biden’s administration has ignored requests from my Republican colleagues on the House Committee on Ways and Means to inform us of how this bill will create jobs. This bill is called the “American Rescue Plan” but who is it really rescuing? It provides $350 billion in bailouts to states, many of whom are experiencing record revenues.

After working together on five previous bipartisan pieces of legislation to help the nation respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, congressional Democrats have decided to go it alone. They voted down good faith efforts to improve this legislation and to make the spending more targeted to help just those impacted by COVID-19. View my full statement on my website.

I spoke on the House Floor regarding this legislation. Watch my remarks below.

Standing Up for the American Worker, Not Union Bosses
I voted against the PRO Act, a bill focused on protecting union bosses, not the American worker. The PRO Act will erase the rights of workers and employers alike while harming the economy by providing a political giveaway to labor union special interests. The American worker needs help, not forced unionizing.

Defending the Second Amendment 
This week I voted against H.R. 8 and H.R. 1446, two Democrat gun control bills. Since the start of the 117th Congress in January, House and Senate Democrats and President Biden have gone it alone hiding behind empty soundbites calling for bipartisanship. First, they pushed through a $1.9 trillion partisan spending wish list. Next, they voted for a federal takeover of elections and public funding of campaigns. Now, congressional Democrats are taking a hatchet to citizens’ Second Amendment rights.

I oppose these bills because they infringe on the rights of law-abiding individuals. H.R. 8 requires a background check for every firearm transfer or sale, even those between family and friends. H.R. 1446 grants unelected government officials the ability to indefinitely delay firearm purchases in the event of technical difficulties with background checks and undermining the NICS background check system. I will continue to defend in Congress the constitutionally granted Second Amendment rights of Americans.

COVID-19 Vaccines
With now three approved vaccines more Americans are receiving their doses. If you are eligible and looking for additional information on vaccine availability in the Eleventh District Lancaster and York Counties have dedicated websites: Lancaster, York.

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.

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