Newsletter Archive

Small Businesses Are Job Creators This week, I hosted a roundtable in Erie with local small business owners. We discussed a whole host of issues, such as the benefits of the new tax law, rolling back burdensome regulations to allow small businesses to expand and create jobs, and the administration's taxes on imported steel and aluminum. I always appreciate the opportunity... Read More

Op-Ed for the Philadelphia Inquirer: Emergency Declaration Undermines Fundamental Constitutional Principles On Thursday, I joined a bipartisan majority in the Senate in voting to terminate the president's national emergency declaration. I explained my thinking on the vote in this op-ed for the Philadelphia Inquirer. Why I don't support Trump's national emergency... Read More

Sanctioning Kim Jong-un's Brutal Regime Kim Jong-un's pursuit of nuclear weapons poses a threat to the United States and our allies in Asia. We have few good options to effect change in North Korea, but one is to apply crippling economic sanctions that leave the regime with no alternative but to abandon its nuclear ambitions. After President Trump rightfully decided to cut... Read More

Saving the Lives of Helpless Newborns A bipartisan majority voted to ensure life-saving medical care is given to infants who survive botched abortions this week. Sadly, a minority of senators justified blocking the bill by saying it limits access to abortions, which isn't true. It's about a baby who is born alive and needs care. Currently there aren't federal protections... Read More

Working Together to Fight the Opioid Epidemic While in Washington County this week, I joined Congressman Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA 14) and local officials at the City Mission homeless shelter to discuss the resources and partnerships needed to effectively combat the opioid and heroin epidemic in our state. The visit gave me the opportunity to hear how City Mission has... Read More

More Wasteful Government Spending I said repeatedly, during the recent funding impasse, that the sensible outcome would be a compromise on border security that funded physical barriers where Customs and Border Protection deemed it necessary. While the amount for a physical barrier on the southern border as agreed to in the just-enacted government funding bill was lower... Read More

Reaction to President Trump's Second State of the Union This week, President Trump delivered his second State of the Union address to a historically diverse Congress. President Trump rightly underscored the significance of our tax reform and deregulation over the past two years. Because of these efforts, the economy is the best it's been in my adult life. Economic growth... Read More

Renewing the Fight to Restore Congressional Authority in Trade Tariffs are taxes. Using the false pretext of "national security" to tax imported steel and aluminum was a misuse of authority and is hurting American consumers and workers, weakening our economy, and eroding our credibility with other nations. I've seen, first-hand, the damage these taxes are causing across... Read More

Ending the Government Shutdown On Friday, Congress and President Trump reached an agreement on a three-week funding bill that will re-open the government and pay 800,000 federal employees.  Over the next three weeks, the President and Congress will have an opportunity to craft a workable solution. As I have said all along, the obvious, necessary resolution is a... Read More

Ending Government Shutdowns It is past time for Congress to end government by crisis. Every time the government shuts down, the American people bear the brunt of Washington's dysfunction -- and federal employees are often the hardest hit. This week, I cosponsored two separate measures that would end future government shutdowns and pay federal employees who are currently... Read More

In Appreciation of Our Law Enforcement Officers Pennsylvania's 25,000 law enforcement officers represent the very best of our commonwealth. Their sense of service means they miss out on holidays, anniversaries, and birthdays with loved ones. It also means they run towards danger and chaos while others seek safety and shelter. This past Wednesday was National Law... Read More

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! The holiday season is a wonderful time to be with loved ones and to reflect on the blessings of the year that has passed. From my family to yours, Merry Christmas and happy New Year! The Greatest Generation: Celebrating Those Who Fought in WWII I recently participated in a ceremony commemorating the 74th anniversary of the Battle of the... Read More

More Jobs and a Booming Economy We are quickly approaching the one year anniversary of historic tax reform being signed into law. In that time, we've seen numerous examples of positive change directly attributable to reforming our outdated tax code. From a lower tax burden for millions of families, to rising wages for workers and companies reinvesting in their businesses... Read More

Celebrating the Life and Legacy of President George H.W. Bush President George H.W. Bush was a great American patriot, dedicated public servant, tireless humanitarian, and caring family man. I was humbled to attend his funeral and celebrate the life and legacy of our 41st president. Kris and I join the nation in mourning President Bush's passing and send our condolences to... Read More

Celebrating the Life and Legacy of President George H.W. Bush President George H.W. Bush was a great American patriot, dedicated public servant, tireless humanitarian, and caring family man. I was humbled to attend his funeral and celebrate the life and legacy of our 41st president. Kris and I join the nation in mourning President Bush's passing and send our condolences to... Read More

Honoring the Victims of the Tree of Life Synagogue Shooting I took to the Senate floor this week to honor the victims of the Tree of Life synagogue shooting, and call for common sense reforms to our nation's gun laws.   On October 27th, Pittsburgh, the Jewish community, and our entire country were shaken by a horrific, anti-Semitic attack that occurred during Shabbat... Read More

Recognizing Veterans, Past and Present Every Veterans Day, we honor the sacrifices and bravery of our nation's military. It is our duty as a nation to remember veterans who selflessly served and made great sacrifices to protect our rights and freedoms. To recognize some of Pennsylvania's brave veterans, I hosted a ceremony in Hamlin (Wayne County) honoring Vietnam veterans... Read More

The Tree of Life Synagogue Tragedy Synagogues and other places of worship are safe havens where communities come together to celebrate, pray, and reflect. The murder of 11 people inside the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh last weekend was a cowardly act of violence fueled by hate and anti-Semitism. It has been heartening to see the outpouring of support for the... Read More

Common Sense Gun Reform Recently, I participated in a joint project between Time Magazine and award-winning artist JR to provide a thorough look at firearms in America. This project highlights the perspectives of 245 Americans with various backgrounds, including advocates, first responders, and lawmakers, on the topics of gun violence, individual rights, safety, and... Read More

Bad Deal for Pennsylvania's Refineries The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) is a federal program mandating oil refiners to blend a certain amount of renewable fuels, such as corn ethanol, into the nation's fuel supply every year. This is one of the most egregious examples of the government picking winners and losers. Washington has deemed the workers at Pennsylvania's oil... Read More