News from Representative Smucker

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This week, I’m sharing important updates on my continued work to rein in Washington’s out-of-control spending, expand housing access through bipartisan legislation, and stand firm against adversaries who threaten global security.

I enjoy hearing from you, responding to your emails, phone calls, and letters, and I welcome your thoughts. Whether you have concerns, questions about legislation, or feedback on my work, you can send me an email here. Since my last e-newsletter, my office has answered 9,887 constituent inquiries.

The Real Math Problem: Addressing America's Debt Crisis

In a recent op-ed for LNP | LancasterOnline, I sounded the alarm on the unsustainable trajectory of our nation’s finances. With a national debt surpassing $36 trillion and projected to continue growing at a rate of nearly $2 trillion every year, we must take action.

Congress can no longer avoid tough decisions to put our fiscal house in order. That’s why I continue to advocate for structural spending reforms and a return to spending discipline. In the column, I detail how unchecked borrowing threatens future prosperity and how we can chart a responsible path forward.

This isn’t an abstract issue. Paying just the interest on our debt is projected to soon exceed $1 trillion annually, crowding out the very investments that we care about — from educating our children, to supporting our veterans, to protecting public safety.

If we care about helping people in the long term, we must stop ignoring the warning signs about our debt flashing in red.

Read my full op-ed here or click the image below.

Investing in Housing, Rebuilding Communities

I have recently cosponsored two pieces of legislation to support the development of affordable housing across the nation.

First, the Neighborhood Homes Investment Act is a bipartisan bill to address the critical shortage of affordable housing and revitalize struggling neighborhoods across the country.

The legislation offers federal tax credits to spur the construction and rehabilitation of homes in underserved communities. By making it financially viable for developers to invest in areas where renovation costs exceed property values, we can turn around blighted neighborhoods, increase homeownership, and strengthen local economies. Learn more about the bill here.

I am also supporting the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act, which also has strong bipartisan support. This legislation will strengthen and expand the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit which was first established nearly forty years ago. This credit encourages public-private partnerships to build affordable housing for low-income households, individuals with disabilities, and seniors.

I will continue to work on a bipartisan basis to expand access to affordable housing.

Holding Iran Accountable Through Maximum Pressure

The United States must continue to exert maximum pressure on adversarial regimes like Iran that sponsor terrorism and threaten our allies. That’s why I’ve cosponsored H.R. 2570, the Maximum Pressure Act, which would impose the toughest sanctions ever on Iran.

This legislation expands sanctions on Iran’s ballistic missile program and would include sanctions on Iranian drones. Under the legislation, the United States Treasury would blacklist all Iranian banks—preventing their access to national and global financial markets.

I have supported similar measures in previous sessions of Congress because it is critical that we exert maximum pressure on state sponsors of terror who mean to do us harm.

Smucker Spotlight: Spring Grove Rocketry Team Soars

I want to congratulate the Spring Grove Area School District Rocketry Teams for earning spots as FINALISTS in the American Rocketry Challenge, a national competition for middle and high school students.

Their hard work and passion for STEM truly exemplify the spirit of American ingenuity. Competitions like this inspire the next generation of engineers, scientists, and explorers—and I’m incredibly proud to see our district represented among the nation’s very best.

Success at these competitions is becoming a tradition for the Spring Grove School District, where teams have been finalists many years in a row. And it is fitting, given that Spring Grove’s school mascot is The Rockets!

Congratulations to the teams, their advisors, and the entire Spring Grove community! Best wishes in the upcoming finals! We are all rooting for you!

Around the District

I’ve had the opportunity to visit with dedicated community leaders, small business owners, students, and service organizations who are making a real impact. These conversations help inform my work in Washington—and remind me every day of the incredible people who make up our district.

I joined Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and Senator Dave McCormick at Bird-in-Hand Bank to discuss agricultural lending. I appreciate Secretary Rollins visiting Pennsylvania’s 11th Congressional District, home to the “Garden Spot of America” and a leading district for agricultural production. We are proud of our communities’ deep agricultural heritage. Thank you, Secretary Rollins, for your strong leadership and work supporting farmers in our district and across the nation!

I appreciated the opportunity to be back in the WLCH Radio Centro studio in Lancaster with Carlos and Lazaro to discuss the latest happenings in Washington, including budget reconciliation.

There are many pathways to a successful and rewarding career. I am grateful for the staff of the Lancaster County Workforce for all they do to connect people with great jobs.

Exciting things happening at the Pennsylvania College of Art and Design! I met with President Andrew Barnes to learn about the school’s plans and how they recently expanded studio space into the former Chameleon Club in downtown Lancaster. Best wishes for continued success!

Upcoming Service Academy Night

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 month for students and families interested in learning more about our service academies and the nomination process. Click here for more information about the event.

Smucker Service Corner

My office is here to help you navigate issues with federal agencies—from Social Security and Medicare to veterans’ benefits and the IRS.

Here’s what Darrel, a York County constituent, recently said after my office helped him with an issue with his passport:

“Thank you very much for all your help and effort in getting my passport put through. When I got that notice I was so relieved and now I can relax and get all my packing done for the trip.”

We wish you safe travels, Darrel!

Kathy from Lancaster County contacted my office for help with an issue with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).

She wrote: “I wanted to take a second to thank you with addressing my situation with OPM that I have been struggling with for the past few months.”

Thanks for serving our community, Kathy!

If you need assistance, don't hesitate to contact our office— we're honored to serve you.

Here to Help

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 for anyone in distress. Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. Click here to learn more about the lifeline from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

My office is happy to help you with any federal issue or agency. For state issues, such as unemployment compensation, for faster help please contact your State Representative or State Senator. Click here to find your state legislator’s contact information.

Need help with federal grants? Visit www.grants.gov. My team stands ready to support you however we can.

Thank you for reading this edition of my e-newsletter. I appreciate your time and engagement!

Sincerely,

Lloyd Smucker

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