House Passes the Limit, Save, Grow Act 

This week the House passed the Limit, Save, Grow Act which is a step towards putting our country on a better fiscal path and maintaining confidence in our nation’s economy. I supported the legislation because it reduces our future debt growth by $4.8 trillion over the next ten years and because it will boost economic growth by unleashing domestic energy production and implements pro-growth work requirements to strengthen our recovering workforce.

This bill alone will not solve our nation’s fiscal issues, but it is an important step in the right direction. I call on the President to negotiate in good faith with Republicans to raise the debt ceiling and put forward policies to limit, save, and grow.

Click the image below to listen to my remarks supporting the Limit, Save, Grow Act. Click here for my full statement on the legislation.

Appointed to Serve on the Joint Economic Committee 

Last week, I was appointed by Speaker Kevin McCarthy to serve on the Joint Economic Committee. Created alongside the Council of Economic Advisors in the Employment Act of 1946, the Joint Economic Committee (JEC) is a bicameral, bipartisan committee tasked with reviewing economic conditions and recommending improvements in economic policy.

I’m thankful for the opportunity to serve on the JEC and I will continue to advocate for pro-growth policies to increase economic opportunities for all Americans. Click here to read my full statement.

Click here to read coverage of my appointment to the JEC in LNP|LancasterOnline.

Discussing Reducing Health Care Costs  

The Education and Workforce Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions held a hearing this week to examine ways to reduce healthcare costs for working Americans and their families. I appreciated the opportunity to discuss telehealth policies and how value-based care delivery models like direct primary care can improve outcomes for patients.

Click the image below to listen to my comments and questions from the hearing.

Ways & Means Committee Hearing with the IRS Commissioner

This week, the Ways & Means Committee held a hearing with the IRS Commissioner to discuss accountability and transparency at the agency.  

I asked IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel about how local small businesses in PA-11 are being impacted by the IRS’s failure to process employee retention tax credit (ERTC) claims. The ERTC was created in the CARES Act, which was Congress’s bipartisan response to the COVID-19 pandemic passed in late March 2020. The tax credit was part of a multi-pronged approach to keep small businesses operating and keep individuals employed.

Now three years on from the pandemic, many small businesses are still waiting for the IRS to release ERTC refunds. Listen to my comments and questions from this hearing by clicking the image below.

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, April 28, 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 

I appreciated meeting with Penn State University President Neeli Bendapudi in Washington to discuss the university’s impact on the Commonwealth and #PA11. Thanks for visiting!

Thanks to Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology President Pedro Rivera and Vice President for College Advancement Pam Smith for visiting with me in Washington to discuss federal funding policies. Thanks for all you do to provide students an excellent education in #PA11.

It was great to meet with representatives of the Adams Electric Cooperative, which serves portions of southern York County. Thanks for meeting with me to discuss our nation’s energy policy!

I want to thank Elaina, an intern in my Washington, D.C. office, for all her assistance this semester serving the constituents of Pennsylvania’s 11th Congressional District. Best wishes for continued success!

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 Megan from New Providence receive passports for her and her family in time for their travels. Megan told my staff “This would not have been possible without your help. THANK YOU!” Safe travels to you and your family, Megan!  

My office assisted Ralph from Columbia with an identity verification issue with the IRS.

Betty from Hanover received assistance with an issue she experienced with the Social Security Administration.

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