IMPORTANT UPDATES from CONGRESSMAN SMUCKER

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This week I want to share with you my thoughts on the reckless spending bills, disorder at the border, new pieces of legislation that I introduced, supporting democracy in Cuba, and important updates on federal programs. 

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.

Reckless and Irresponsible Spending Bills 

This week Speaker Nancy Pelosi put forward bloated and reckless appropriations bills which are wrong for the country and will exacerbate the current high inflation, debt, and deficits we are suffering from as a nation. The legislation prioritized funding for Congress and the partisan pet project of Speaker Pelosi’s House Democrat Caucus, over providing for the selfless men and women of the United States Armed Forces or the brave Border Patrol agents responding to President Biden’s self-created national security crisis on the southern border.

These spending bills also rolled-back critical pro-life policies like the Hyde Amendment, which for over 40 years has prevented taxpayer dollars from being used to fund abortions. I will not support legislation which unravels this and other critical pro-life policies. Last week, I spoke on the House Floor about H.R. 18 the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, which Congress should adopt without delay.   

I will continue to fight against President Biden and Speaker Pelosi’s uncontrollable appetite for higher spending and taxes. Congress must work to get America back on track to fiscal responsibility and rebuild the trust of the American taxpayer. These appropriations bills are self-indulgent and offensive to the American taxpayer.

Disorder at the Border

US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently reported 188,829 attempted crossings of our nation's southern border in June.  A third of individuals crossing the border last month previously have attempted to cross the border in the past year. June is the fourth straight month where apprehensions have topped 170,000, which has not occurred since 2000. Additionally, President Biden’s decision to suspend construction of the border wall has cost American taxpayers $2 billion.

When is the Biden administration going to admit their failed policies are causing this crisis and get control of the border?

Introducing Legislation to Support Disabled Veterans, Improve Access to Child Care   

Recently, I introduced the bipartisan Home for the Brave Act with Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-California) to aid disabled veterans. Our legislation would exempt veterans’ VA disability benefits from counting toward total income when determining their eligibility for housing assistance programs through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Our veterans have put their lives at great risk to keep all of us safe back home. To return home and be priced out of housing assistance simply because they receive service-related disability benefits is just plain wrong. Our legislation is supported by the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Military Officers Association and National Coalition for the Homeless. Learn more here.

I have also introduced legislation to help states increase access to high-quality child care programs. My Improving Access to Child Care Act would provide funds to states by reforming a current but ineffective program known as the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Contingency Fund. Both former President Trump and President Obama had called for the TANF Contingency Fund to be eliminated or repurposed, demonstrating a bipartisan understanding that the program is failing. With millions of Americans out of the workforce and our economy continuing to recover from the devastation caused by the pandemic, Congress must act to provide assistance to help Americans return to work.

My legislation was included in Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Rep. Kevin Brady’s “JOBS for Success Act” to help low-income families find work by providing job training and other resources to help parents secure good-paying jobs. 

Standing Up for Democracy in Cuba 

I was proud to join House Republican Leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy and over 140 of my colleagues in Congress in signing a letter which was sent to heads of states in the Organization of American States and the European Union, supporting democracy and freedom for the people of Cuba. Our letter reads in part: “After decades of tyranny, oppression and economic devastation because of communist rule, the Cuban people are rising up for freedom. They are rising up for opportunity. They are rising up for democracy. It’s time to end this terrible plague of communism on the Cuban people.” 

Click the image below to read our full letter.

Supporting the Capitol Police

This week, I voted in favor of H.R. 3237 to provide additional funding to support the United States Capitol Police. I deeply appreciate and am grateful for the selfless service from the members of the United States Capitol Police. The American people should know that while congressional Democrats may have voted to fund the Capitol Police, many have advocated for defunding and dismantling of police departments in their own districts to score political points with the left-wing of their party. These misguided actions are to the detriment of their constituents and have driven up crime and murder rates across the country. I will continue to consistently support the brave men and women serving as law enforcement officers. My colleagues on the other side of the aisle should join me. 

From the Floor

In his 26 years, Anthony Cazillo made a big impact in the lives he touched and in the community in which he lived as a local elected official in Lancaster County. My prayers are with those who grieve the passing of such an outstanding young man. Watch my remarks by clicking the image below. 

Congratulations to Utz on your 100-year anniversary! The company still proudly calls Hanover, PA, the Snack Food Capital of the World, home and employs 1,800 individuals in Pennsylvania. The company produced 50 pounds of chips per hour in 1921 but now produces 5.5 million pounds of great snacks a week! Watch my remarks.

Congratulations to PA-11 Olympian Hali Flickinger 

York County Spring Grove native Hali Flickinger has earned two Olympic Bronze Medals in swimming at the Tokyo Olympics. Congratulations on your success! Our community and nation are so proud of your achievements! 

Here to Help
Due to an increase in demand, the U.S. State Department is experiencing delays in issuing new passports. It may now take up to six weeks for your application to begin processing with some passports taking up to 18 weeks to be issued. For more information on passport processing times visit the U.S. Department of State’s website.

Please note that requests for assistance and questions regarding unemployment compensation should be directed to your state legislator. Click here for help identifying your state legislators and their contact information.

The Small Business Administration (SBA) has created a new online portal for Paycheck Protection Program borrowers with loans under $150,000 to apply for loan forgiveness directly through the SBA, rather than your loan servicer. The new portal will begin accepting applications on August 4, 2021. 

The federal eviction moratorium expired on July 31, 2021. Many federal departments have created a website to provide homeowners and renters additional information about available resources.

Families may have begun to receive payments for the Advance Child Tax Credit in July. Visit the IRS’s website for answers to frequently asked questions concerning this program.

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.

Stay Connected

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