Our National Debt Poses a National Security Threat

This week during a meeting of the House Budget Committee, I asked a Department of Defense official about how our massive national debt impacts our national security. The United States’ national debt recently surpassed $30 trillion, and President Biden’s reckless spending agenda has increased inflation to 8.5%. This has forced the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates, which also raises the cost for the U.S. to pay the interest on our debt. Last year, the government spent $331 billion on interest payments on the debt alone. Under President Biden’s budget, interest payments on the debt will surpass our defense spending in 2029. This poor fiscal management will undermine our national security. Listen to our discussion below:

Additionally troubling about Biden’s budget proposal is that it removes the Hyde Amendment. This critical pro-life protection prevents the use of taxpayer dollars from being used to fund abortions. The Hyde Amendment, for nearly fifty years, was routinely approved on a bipartisan basis and it is disappointing that President Biden abandoned this important provision. I recently joined over 100 of my colleagues in writing to the president to express our concern about his decision to remove the Hyde Amendment from his budget proposal. Read more about our letter here.

Continuing to Support Ukraine

This week I supported legislation to assist the quick distribution of military aid to Ukraine as they continue to defend themselves against Russia’s invasion. We must continue to provide Ukraine the support they need. Putin must be stopped. The United States sanctioned members of the Russian legislature, the Duma, and now Russia has retaliated. The Russian government sanctioned me and nearly 400 other members of Congress. To their chagrin, I consider this to be a badge of honor.

It's Bidenflation

Despite every effort from the current administration to place blame elsewhere, the fact of the matter is this inflation is Bidenflation. It has increased every month since President Biden has taken office. It was accelerated by his reckless spending. In troubling news, many economists are now predicting that we have not seen the worst of it. One economist often cited by this administration recently said, “it’s only set to get worse.”

Celebrating The Susquehanna National Heritage Area

Last week marked National Park Week. I was proud to fight for legislation to designate our region as the Susquehanna National Heritage Area to celebrate our unique history and natural beauty. Did you know the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail runs along the Susquehanna River? Learn more about this trail operated by the National Park Service here.

This photo of the scenery surrounding Columbia-Wrightsville Bridge connecting Lancaster and York counties is on file with the Library of Congress.

Biden's Border Crisis

The latest Customs and Border Protection statistics paint a grim picture of the humanitarian and national security crisis unfolding at our southern border. There were 221,303 encounters at the southern border in March, representing 300 people attempting to cross per hour for the entire month. These were the highest numbers in 20 years. America needs secure borders. Yet, Biden and congressional Democrats are unwilling to face reality and address the crisis at the southern border.

Wolf Plan would Further Fuel Inflation

Last week I joined Fox Business Network’s Varney & Co. to discuss Gov. Wolf’s plan to use federal funds to pay people to stay at home. Pennsylvania has nearly the highest unemployment rate of any state in the country, and we must get folks back to work! Click below to watch my thoughts on his proposal.

Strengthening US-UK Trade Relations

It was an honor to join The Rt. Honorable George Eustice, the United Kingdom’s Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, for a tour of Four Seasons Produce in Lancaster County and to discuss ways to strengthen the US-UK trade relationship and create opportunities for local producers. Thanks for visiting! I hope the Biden administration will seek to work cooperatively with our friends in the development of future trade agreements.

Here to Help

To any veteran, there is always support available at the Veterans Crisis Line. Call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1 or text 838255. Visit the Veterans Crisis Line website for more information.

Looking for information on federal grants? Learn more about the grant awarding process and search the federal database of grant programs at www.grants.gov.

If you have any questions or issues with a federal agency, please know that my office is here to assist you. You can call my district or Washington, DC offices for assistance or visit my website for any issue with a federal agency or department.

Stay Connected

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Sincerely,

Lloyd Smucker