This Week in Washington

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 morning services at Tree of Life. Eleven innocent people were senselessly slaughtered in the attack. Six others were wounded, including four police officers who responded to the attack.

In the wake of tragedies such as what occurred at Tree of Life, I have renewed my call to enact commonsense solutions to address some element of the gun violence that plagues this country.

When it comes to gun safety, too often Republicans and Democrats talk past each other rather than speaking with each other.

I hope we can put aside some of our political differences and do something sensible. It is our duty, and it would be a fitting act of remembrance for victims of mass shootings at the Tree of Life, Thousand Oaks, Sandy Hook, and all the others whose deaths from gun violence have scarred our country.

Read more about my efforts in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

The Chinese government has very little regard for the human rights of its people. One of the most egregious examples has been the systemic persecution and detainment of Turkic Muslims, known as Uyghurs, who are being targeted because of their culture and religion.

Worse yet, China is using advanced technology, including technology developed in and exported by the United States, to create an all-encompassing surveillance state that has resulted in the imprisonment and disappearance of up to one million ethnic Uyghurs.

In an effort to hold China accountable for its human rights violations against the Uyghurs, I have introduced a bipartisan measure with Senators Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) that works to determine how the United States can best respond to this detestable abuse, whether it be through policy or diplomatic means.

Read more about our bipartisan legislation here.

I am pleased to announce that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded a nearly $2.75 million grant to Beaver County.

The scourge of opioid abuse and drug addiction has spared no corner of Pennsylvania. This is especially true for Beaver County where overdose deaths have become far too common. I am pleased that HHS is supporting Beaver County in its efforts to help at-risk youth and their families.

The grant will help Beaver County implement its Pathway to Wellness program, which is dedicated to taking on drug abuse by focusing on early intervention, engagement, treatment and recovery supports for adolescents, transitional aged youth, and their families. The grant will be paid out over five years.

If you or someone you know needs assistance with a federal grant, contact to my office to see if we can provide assistance.

Upon returning home from war, Vietnam veterans did not receive the recognition they deserved.

I have worked to honor these soldiers for their service, sacrifice, and valor. For instance, my bill to officially designate March 29th as Vietnam Veterans Day was signed into law last year by the President. Recently, my staff and I honored a number of Vietnam veterans in Wayne, Pike, Cumberland and McKean Counties, and presented them with commemorative service pins.

Read more about my recent visit to Wayne County here.

Assisting veterans is one of the many services my office provides. If you or someone you know is a veteran in need of help with a federal agency, or has not received an honor that was justly earned, reach out to my office to see if we can help.