Statement on the Tragedy in Uvalde, Texas 

I am absolutely heartbroken about the tragedy in Uvalde, Texas.

As a father of three children, I cannot begin to imagine the trauma these students and their families endured. As we continue to learn more about the victims, our hearts go out to the families of those who were lost. Moreover, ensuring the safety of our students must be a top priority. Our children should always feel safe when attending school. We can and should be routinely evaluating security protocols so that schools remain a safe, healthy, and productive learning environment.

We should do all that we can to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and those who wish to do harm to others or themselves. The House of Representatives previously passed bipartisan legislation - with my support - that increased funding for the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). This funding will help states clear backlogs to ensure prohibited individuals are not able to purchase firearms from a federally licensed retailer, in accordance with current law. 

Congress must come together to engage in serious conversation about how to reduce gun violence in an evidence-based and meaningful way.

When the Balloon Pops: Biden’s Budget

This week, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released its semi-annual budget outlook for the next decade. The news that it holds for America’s economy and our nation’s financial health is startling. It shows that inflation will remain high. Our budget deficits will remain high as well for the next decade, growing our national debt by nearly $16 trillion.

I questioned CBO Director Dr. Phillip Swagel this week about the CBO’s projections and how the Democrats’ spending has directly contributed to the inflation that we are seeing today.

The high levels of inflation that we’re experiencing impact our nation’s budget. Just like a homeowner who takes out a mortgage, the federal government must pay interest, known as debt service, on borrowed money—our national debt. While the Federal Reserve is raising interest rates to tamp down on Bidenflation, those rate increases are inflating the cost of our debt service which is expected to rise to over $1 trillion annually soon.

Every dollar spent servicing our debt are dollars not spent on funding national priorities. To put that in perspective, by 2031, we would pay 1.5 times our current Medicare outlays and 1.4 times our current defense budget on interest payments. Our interest payments in 2031 would be over $1.1 trillion under Biden’s budget.

The increase in our national debt will have substantial impact on our defense policy, as China is expected to own nearly $2 trillion of United States debt within the next decade. We would, in effect, be directly funding the interests of an economic, and perhaps military, adversary.

The fact of the matter is generations yet to be born will be paying the price for Mr. Biden’s inflation and reckless spending. Read my thoughts about this in an op-ed published in the Washington Times by clicking below.

Local Veteran joins Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony for Merchant Mariners 

It was an honor to join Lititz veteran Mr. William Balabanow in Washington, DC last week during a Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony honoring the contributions of World War II Merchant Mariners. Mr. Balabanow was one of 10 veterans who received the Congressional Gold Medal at the U.S. Capitol on behalf of the approximately 1,500 remaining Merchant Mariners of WWII.

In 2020, Congress unanimously passed the Merchant Mariners of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act to honor their service. The bill was promptly signed into law though the official award was delayed due to the global pandemic. I want to thank Mr. Balabanow for his service to our nation and advocacy on behalf of his fellow Merchant Mariners. He is truly representative of our nation’s greatest generation and has earned our nation’s unending gratitude for his service.

High Gas Prices for the Holiday Weekend  

As Americans prepare to travel as families and friends gather over the Memorial Day weekend holiday, average gas prices are nearly 50 percent higher than they were last year. Gas prices hit new record highs for two straight weeks. Biden wants to raise taxes on energy companies to stymie investment, rather than work to increase domestic energy production. He has it all wrong. And rather than take action in the House, congressional Democrats advanced sham legislation, which I opposed, which would do nothing to lower the cost at the pump. We need to unleash American energy production. As a result, households are now spending an estimated $5,000 a year to pay for gas.

Congratulations to our Congressional Art Competition Winner! 

This year’s winner of the Eleventh District Congressional Art Competition is Caroline Drumm from the Solanco School District. Her artwork, titled “Fresh Organic Beets” is pastel on paper and it is incredible! Every year I am amazed at the artistic talents of high school students across the district. Caroline’s photo is below, and you can click here to watch a short video including all this year’s contest entries.

Time for the Biden administration to Fight for Dairy Farmers  

Canada continues to fail to live up to its end of the agreement of the United States – Mexico – and Canada (USMCA) Trade Agreement. They are not abiding by the agreement and continue to lock out American dairy imports. This week the Republicans on the Ways & Means Trade Subcommittee held a roundtable to discuss how the Biden administration needs to keep Canada accountable to its agreement. Click below to watch our discussion.

Remembering & Honoring This Memorial Day  

Memorial Day is a time to remember and honor the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their nation as member of the United States Armed Forces. Their sacrifices have allowed us all to live in a nation with freedoms and liberties which are the envy of the world. As we gather with loved ones, let us never forget their sacrifice. 

Around the District 

Congratulations to this year’s graduates from the Central Pennsylvania Chapter of Independent Electrical Contractors apprenticeship program! It was an honor to speak at your graduation ceremony. Best wishes on your continued success! 

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