Our Commitment to America - An Economy That's Strong

Earlier this month, President Biden told reporters that he believes the economy is “strong.” The president must have forgotten that families are struggling to make ends meet because of 40-year high inflation or that the economy has shrunk in two out of three quarters this year. 

For nearly two years now, the Biden administration has sought to downplay the impacts of inflation on the American people. From claims of inflation being “temporary” to disguising their latest tax-and-spend legislation as “inflation reduction.” It is clear that the Biden administration does not want you to believe what you are experiencing. Inflation is crushing American families.

In Pennsylvania, inflation is costing families an extra $611 a month or $7,333 a year, according to the Foundation for Government Accountability.  

Through our Commitment to America, House Republicans will fix our economy, revive the American Dream, reduce inflation, lower the cost of living, reduce gas prices, and strengthen our supply chains. Learn more here: Commitment to America: An Economy That’s Strong.

Biden's Budget Smokescreen 

Just like President Biden tries to cast doubt on the impact of inflation, he wants you to believe that he is fiscally responsible. That could not be further from the truth.

When President Biden tries to pat himself on the back for this “deficit reduction” remember two things: 1- he wanted to spend trillions more this year on his “Build Back Bankrupt” plan, and 2- any of the so-called deficit reduction the president tries to claim is a result of his inflationary “rescue plan” and other COVID funding expiring.

There is nothing fiscally responsible about this administration. Their one-party rule has been costly. Deficits this year were $1.4 trillion, but if President Biden had his way, he would have made deficits much worse.

As our national debt and interest rates continue to rise, the cost of paying just the interest on our national debt is skyrocketing. Politico reported, “The U.S. in the latest fiscal year spent more on interest payments than it did on veterans’ programs…” this is a trend that will continue thanks to Biden’s 40-year high inflation and his irresponsible spending policies.

Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment Announced for 2023

Earlier this month, the Social Security Administration announced that Social Security and Supplemental Security (SSI) benefits will increase by 8.7 percent for eligible beneficiaries beginning in 2023. Click here to visit the Social Security Administration’s website to learn more.

As a reminder, in September, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services released new information about premiums and deductible costs for Medicare Part A and B. The standard monthly Part B premium will slightly decrease for the coming year. Learn more about the premiums and deductibles here.

Across the District

I appreciated visiting VisionCorps in Lancaster to learn more about the great work they are doing to support and provide opportunities to individuals who are blind or vision impaired. Thanks for the warm welcome!

It was great to speak with journalists from Germany who were visiting PA’s 11th Congressional District as part of a German-American exchange program conducted by the RIAS Berlin Commission. Thanks for visiting!


Thanks to local advocates John, LuAnn, Ryan, and Tina from the Alzheimer’s Association of Greater PA for meeting with me in Lancaster. I appreciated hearing your stories. I will continue to advocate for legislation to prevent and cure this disease.


It was great to be back in the WLCH Radio Centro studio this month to talk with Carlos, Hector, and Aleish about inflation, career and technical education, and critical issues facing our nation.


I want to thank Michael Dalpezzo of Lancaster County for his many years of service to our community, working to train and support emergency responders.


Thanks to Terry of New Freedom for visiting with me to discuss the importance of addressing the rising costs of higher education and our growing national debt.

Here to Help

Attention veteran small business owners, beginning on January 1, 2023, the verification of veteran-owned small businesses will transfer from the Department of Veterans Affairs to the Small Business Administration. Learn more about the transition process and the deadlines for submission by clicking here.

Many individuals have recently contacted my office looking for assistance with their unemployment compensation claims, which are administered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, not federal agencies. If you’re seeking assistance with your unemployment claim, you can contact your state legislator for assistance. Click here to find your state legislator’s contact information. 

Recently the new 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline was launched. Individuals who are struggling or in crisis can simply call or text 988 to reach trained counselors. Individuals can also visit https://988lifeline.org/ to chat with a counselor. Click here to learn more about the lifeline from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. 

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

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