Changing the Trajectory of America's Fiscal Future

The state of America’s finances is dire. Our nearly $32 trillion national debt poses a substantial threat to our future. On May 31, 2023, the House passed the Fiscal Responsibility Act, which has now been signed into law.

The legislation puts in place responsible limits on the growth of government spending and pulls back billions of dollars of unspent COVID-19 pandemic funding. The bill results in over $2 trillion in savings. The spending levels contained in this legislation stand in stark contrast to President Biden’s current and historic spending spree. We will spend less money in the next fiscal year than we did during the current year and that is a meaningful change.

This legislation also will help lift individuals out of poverty and put them on the path to prosperity by connecting them with the best anti-poverty measure—a good job. Reforms to permitting processes will aid in domestic energy production and cut unnecessary red tape which impacts significant infrastructure projects. 

This legislation may not do everything that everyone wishes for, but it’s an important step in the right direction to change the trajectory of America’s fiscal future, while we have divided government. I wish I could vote for more than this, like what was included in the Limit, Save, Grow Act, but this legislation is most definitely an improvement on existing law.

If we do nothing to curb spending, our federal debt will be nearly double the size of our nation’s economy by 2053. This bill is a start to change our fiscal trajectory and will give confidence to our creditors that we can govern by putting us on this better path.

Click here to watch my speech on the House floor in favor of the Fiscal Responsibility Act.

Questioning Acting Department of Labor Secretary Su on Biden Administration Policies 

This week, the House Education and Workforce Committee held a hearing with Acting Department of Labor Secretary Julie Su.

There are over 10 million jobs available across the nation and it’s critical that we do everything that we can to help connect those not in the workforce with an available job, to put them on the pathway to prosperity.

Unfortunately, the Biden administration recently repealed regulations allowing for industry-recognized apprenticeship programs (IRAPs). In their rule repealing IRAPs, the Biden administration’s Department of Labor stated: “the Department no longer believes the purported “skills gap” […] to be the major challenge facing the labor market.”

These comments are simply out of touch, small businesses across our district share with me that finding skilled labor is the top issue impacting them. Watch my question and Acting Sec. Su’s response below:

Additionally concerning, is the Biden administration’s policies of requiring project labor agreements (PLAs) in federal procurement and grant programs for construction projects. PLAs limit the pool of applicants to only union-run construction firms and union labor, which locks out the 88.3% of construction workers who have chosen not to join a union. PLAs also increase project costs. This anti-competitive practice is wrong for taxpayers and hardworking Americans.

Click below to watch my question to Acting Sec. Su regarding PLAs.  

Supporting Volunteer Firefighters 

I appreciated the opportunity to meet with local volunteer fire company chiefs from southern York County to discuss the challenges that they face and discuss policies that can provide additional assistance.

I am so thankful for the efforts of volunteer firefighters across our community. They freely give of their time and talents and run into danger to assist others in their times of need. Thank you to Chief Brad Dauberman of the Shrewsbury Volunteer Fire Company for hosting this great discussion.

June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month

June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month. As a proud member of the bipartisan Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer’s disease I am proud to fight for legislation to help cure and prevent Alzheimer’s.

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, June 9, 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.

Many individuals have contacted my office with questions and concerns about receiving their passports in time to travel. I joined nearly 200 Members of Congress in asking the State Department about their plans to improve service. Read our letter by clicking here.

National Dairy Month

Did you know that Pennsylvania’s 11th Congressional District is among the top dairy producing congressional districts in the nation? Lancaster County is one of the top-ten milk producing counties in the entire nation, producing nearly $500 million in sales, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Be sure to thank all our dairy farmers during National Dairy Month!

Visits in the District 

Thanks to member-owners of the Land O’Lakes dairy cooperative, including Steve Harnish of Washington Boro, for meeting with me to discuss the 2023 Farm Bill and federal policies impacting dairy farmers.

Great to meet with Luke Brubaker of Brubaker Farms in Mount Joy, a dairy and chicken family-owned operation, to discuss Congress’s upcoming consideration of the 2023 Farm Bill and global food security. Thanks for visiting Luke!

Thanks to representatives from Utz and Herr’s for meeting with me to discuss the impact of inflation and supply chain issues on snack food companies and your employees. Did you know #PA11 is home to the Snack Food Capital of the World?

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 Joanne from Shrewsbury receive her overdue IRS tax refund.    

My office was able to assist Lydia from Gordonville with an issue she was experiencing with the Social Security Administration.  

My office assisted Heather from southern Lancaster County with an issue with her Veterans Affairs benefits. Thanks for your service!

Here to Help

Veterans receiving care at the Lebanon VA Medical Center may be eligible for a new transportation service called VA Uber Health Connect. Learn more from the Lebanon VA Medical Center here.

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