IMPORTANT UPDATES from CONGRESSMAN SMUCKER

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This week I want to share with you my reflections on President Biden’s address to Congress, several updates from Washington, and a new virtual tour of the U.S. Capitol Building. As our nation continues to reopen and as more people get vaccinated, we should be sure to follow CDC guidelines.

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.

Vaccine Information
Thanks to all the community partners in Lancaster and York Counties working together on COVID-19 vaccination efforts. Remember, everyone aged 16 years or older is eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Visit the dedicated page on my website to view information for York and Lancaster Counties.

Virtual Tour of the U.S. Capitol
One of my favorite activities is giving constituents a tour of the historic Capitol Building. While the Capitol is still closed for visitors, I want to share this historic building with you virtually.

Watch below for a virtual tour of the U.S. Capitol, where I take you around this grand building and highlight some of the Eleventh District’s touches in the Capitol. For instance, famous inventor and Lancaster County-born Robert Fulton has a statue located in Statuary Hall, along with a plaque indicating where Lancaster native President James Buchanan’s desk sat in the original House of Representatives chamber. I look forward to hosting constituents in Washington again soon.

State of the Union
In his inauguration speech, President Biden promised to work with both Republicans and Democrats to help the American people and vowed to unify our nation. Instead, President Biden’s actions have been solely motivated to appease the far-left flank of the Democrat party, to grow the size of the government, and consolidate its power. Republicans don’t believe in big government, we believe in the American people.

His first 100 days have been marred by bitter partisanship, driving our nation closer to a socialist’s dream. He has broken his promise of governing from the middle and instead allows the socialists and far-left led by Speaker Pelosi and Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez to re-write his agenda. The results are summed up as nearly $6 trillion in government spending and a looming tax hike on hardworking American families, all in the midst of a pandemic. The Democrats’ plan to consolidate power to the government is clear, they want to make the American people dependent on big government. The American people, not Washington, should be in charge of their own lives. You can read my full statement on my website here.

I joined CBS21 News to give my reaction to President Biden’s joint session of Congress. 

Washington, DC Update
Last week, I met with Ambassador Bi-Khim Hsiao to discuss how Congress can strengthen the relationship between Taiwan and the U.S.

Again, Democrats are pushing for their radical “environmental” policy, the Green New Deal, which could cost as much as $93 trillion in a decade. These socialist policies would bankrupt the nation and it is estimated it could cost each household more than $60,000.

Committee Activity
I joined my Ways and Means Committee Republican colleagues in sending a letter to the newly confirmed United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai to complete an Environmental Goods Agreement to eliminate tariffs on U.S. clean energy exports, create U.S. jobs, and reduce global emissions.

President Biden’s actions to undermine border security and the construction of the wall have led to a humanitarian crisis at our border. Watch my remarks during this week’s House Budget Committee hearing.

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.

Since taking office in 2017, my office has been able to return nearly $6 million to our constituents. This money returned to constituents comes in released tax refunds, processed Social Security payments and paid veterans’ benefits. While my office cannot guarantee a positive outcome for every constituent, my staff works to ensure that the hardworking taxpayers of Pennsylvania’s 11th District receive the benefits they are entitled to by law and that they are afforded the responsive and professional service they deserve. 

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