Combating Human Trafficking 

January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Last week, I was pleased to host a roundtable with local law enforcement which brought together York County District Attorney Dave Sunday and Lancaster County District Attorney Heather Adams, local community organizations, victim advocates, and state legislators including State Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill and State Rep. Seth Grove.

Tragically, human trafficking is a larger issue in our community than many may imagine.

Our discussion led to many suggestions to combat human trafficking in our community and ways to support survivors. I want to thank all the participants for their efforts and suggestions. Working together, we can address human trafficking in our community. Read media coverage of our roundtable here from CBS21 News.

Committee Assignments for the 118th Congress

For the 118th Congress, I will serve on three committees: Ways & Means, Budget, and Education & Workforce.

The Committee on Ways and Means is Congress’s oldest committee, dating back to 1789. The committee has sole jurisdiction over the tax code in the House of Representatives. I will continue to fight for a tax code that helps our families, communities, and small businesses to thrive. Representing the “Garden Spot of America” and the top-producing agricultural district in Pennsylvania, I will continue to advocate for trade policies that expand market access for our community’s farming and industry.

As a member of the Committee on the Budget, I will work with my colleagues to bring fiscal discipline to Washington. Our $31 trillion and growing national debt is of great concern to me, and we must take steps today to build a stronger financial footing for our nation. The problem is great, but we can solve it.

I will be returning to the Education & Workforce Committee, where I previously served as a member during the 115th and 116th Congresses. I will work to advance policies to improve college affordability, expand apprenticeships and strengthen career and technical education, to help individuals live their American Dream.

IRS Has Begun Accepting 2022 Tax Returns

Grants Available to Assist Local Firefighters 

Attention all local firefighters, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has begun accepting applications for the Assistance for Firefighters Grant Program. Applications are being accepted until February 10, 2023 at 5:00p.m. Please contact my office to share your applications or contact us with any questions. Learn more about the grant program and application.

International Holocaust Remembrance Day

International Holocaust Remembrance Day was Friday, January 27, 2023. We must never forget the atrocities of the Holocaust. We must stand against hate.

Across the District

It was great to be back in the WLCH Radio Centro Studios last week with Hector and Aleish. Thanks for the great discussion! 

Thanks to Joanne Castner for meeting with me to discuss the humanitarian and national security crisis at our nation’s southern border. 

I appreciated meeting with faith leaders from Pennsylvania’s 11th District to discuss policies to improve our environment. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with me.

Children who develop a fondness for reading will be lifelong learners. It was great to visit Kreutz Creek Library in Hellam Township to provide books for their collections from the Library of Congress. 

Thanks to Charles from Fawn Grove for meeting with me in Washington this week to discuss government pension offset and the windfall elimination provisions. And thank you for your service to our nation! 

Smucker Service Corner

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.

My office was able to assist Lynn from Glen Rock receive her tax refund of over $8,000 after the IRS had failed to process her return in a timely fashion.

Steve from Lancaster received back payment from the Social Security Administration, after my staff was able to help correct an error.

Here to Help

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.

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