Supporting Apprenticeships, Career & Technical Education

Last week, I re-introduced the USA Workforce Tax Credit Act, a bill that would help supercharge investment in career and technical education and apprenticeship programs by encouraging charitable contributions to these type of workforce development programs.

It’s no secret that businesses in our community and across the country cannot find workers to fill open jobs. We have all seen the help wanted signs at businesses across our community.

Nationally, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported this month that there are nearly 11 million jobs available across the country.

Finding skilled workers consistently ranks as the top issue I hear about from small business owners. It’s a challenge that I’ve had to manage through as a small business owner myself. As I visit businesses across the district and discuss workforce challenges, it’s obvious we need a solution.

We know that workforce development programs, apprenticeships, and career and technical education programs can help individuals develop the skills needed to find a great job, which is the first step in establishing a career and financial independence.

That’s why I introduced the USA Workforce Tax Credit Act, to create more opportunities for individuals to learn the skills that will help them succeed.

We announced the re-introduction of this legislation at a press conference in southern York County, at Eden Manufacturing and Eden Tool Company in New Freedom. I am pleased that community leaders including Pedro Rivera, President of Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, Tom Palisin, Executive Director of the Manufacturers’ Association in York County, Kevin Appnel, the Executive Director of the York County Alliance for Learning, and David Tomic, President of Eden Manufacturing and Eden Tool Co. offered supportive comments for the bill. Click here to read our press release about the legislation.

I think this legislation would help individuals in our community and across the country have an opportunity to gain the skills needed to succeed and live their American Dream.

Thanks to our local media for covering the announcement of this critical legislation. Watch coverage of the press conference from CBS 21 by clicking the image below.

Biden Administration Doubles Down on Misleading Deficit Reduction Claims

This week, President Biden’s Director of the Office of Management and Budget, Shalanda Young, came before the House Budget Committee to discuss the president’s Fiscal Year 2024 budget proposal. While I appreciate Director Young’s willingness to take questions from the committee, it is disappointing that the Biden administration is continuing falsely to claim fiscal responsibility.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

The Biden administration’s budget proposal is reckless and fiscally irresponsible. It spends $82 trillion dollars over a decade. It raises taxes by $5 trillion, resulting in the highest tax burden in years. It runs annual deficits of over $1 trillion for a decade, resulting in over $17 trillion in cumulative deficits. This is $3 trillion more in deficits than the Biden administration predicted in their budget presented last year, click here and view Table S-1 or page 119 of the Fiscal Year 2023 budget.

I asked Director Young about the Biden administration’s growing deficits in the president’s budget proposal. The facts are the Biden administration’s budget proposal continues to shoulder future generations of Americans with more and more debt, at a time when our national debt is already too high. We need to return fiscal discipline to Washington, but President Biden’s proposed budget would continue our nation down the wrong path.

Watch my questions to Director Young by clicking the image below.

Military Service Academy Information Night Being Held Next Week

As a Member of Congress working in consultation with my Academy Board, it is an absolute honor and privilege to recommend the best and brightest students for nomination to one of our nation’s military service academies.

My office will be hosting an informative Academy Night event next week for students and families interested in learning more about our service academies and the nomination process. Click here for more information about the event.

Supporting the Parents Bill of Rights 

On Friday, the House passed H.R. 5, the Parents Bill of Rights, introduced by my colleague Rep. Julia Letlow of Louisiana. I was proud to be a cosponsor of this legislation, to vote to advance this legislation as a member of the House Education and Workforce Committee, and to vote for its final passage.

Parents deserve to have a say in their children’s education. And this legislation would ensure that parents:

✔️have the right to know what their children are being taught.

✔️have the right to be heard

✔️have the right to see the school budget and spending

✔️have the right to protect their child’s privacy

✔️have the right to keep their children safe.

Click here to learn more about the Parents Bill of Rights Act here, courtesy of the Education and Workforce Committee.

Offering Prayers to those Impacted by the Incident in West Reading

We are devastated by the incident at the R. M. Palmer Company in West Reading. We offer our prayers to those mourning lost loved ones, to the families of those missing, and those who are injured. We also give our thanks to the first responders working at the scene.

I visited the facility in 2017 when the district I represented included West Reading and saw firsthand what a great company they are, how much they care for their team, and the community. This is an awful and unimaginable tragedy. I ask that you pray for them and for the community.

Days of Recognition

Saturday, March 25, 2023, was National Medal of Honor Day, which is a time to pay tribute to and honor the service of those who have served our nation exceptionally and received Congressional Medal of Honor, which dates to the Civil War. Click here to read the Medal of Honor Citation for Robert Dale Reem of Elizabethtown, who selflessly gave his life in service to our nation to protect his fellow soldiers during the Korean War.

Tuesday, March 21, 2023, marked National Agriculture Day. Let us all give thanks to the farmers and producers in the 11th Congressional District who make our district the top-producing agricultural district in Pennsylvania!

Do you need a passport? Do not delay, apply today! 

My office has received an increased number of questions recently concerning applying for and renewing passports. Due to increased volume of applications, processing times have increased.

As of Friday, March 24, 2023, routine processing times are between 10-13 weeks and expedited processing times are between 7-9 weeks. Do not delay applying for or renewing your passport if you require it for travel, apply today.

Click here to visit the Department of State’s website for more information.

Visits in the District 

Junior Achievement of South Central PA hosts a great program providing valuable lessons for young students, called BizTown. Thanks for the opportunity to learn about this program and visit with students from Columbia Middle School.

Thanks to the Spring Grove Chamber of Commerce for inviting me to share an update on what’s happening in Congress and discuss my legislative priorities. 

I appreciated the opportunity to visit Lighthouse Vocational Services in New Holland, to learn more about how they support people with developmental disabilities. 

Thank you Emmanual, Tabitha, Loice, and Salim, for meeting with me to share your stories and to discuss our nation’s immigration policy and border security. 

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.

Matt from Lancaster received his approved passport with help from my office. Safe travels Matt!

My office was able to assist Brian of York receive his military discharge record, known as form DD214.

Alan from Lancaster received assistance for an issue he was experiencing with his postal service.

Here to Help

Starting Jan. 17, Veterans in suicidal crisis can go to any Veterans Affairs or non-VA health care facility for free emergency health care. Click here to learn more.

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.

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. 

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