 |  | 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 In that time, we've seen numerous examples of positive change directly attributable to reforming our outdated tax code.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 and employees, the effects of tax reform are being felt by everyone. One recent example is General Carbide, a tooling manufacturer in Westmoreland County. While I was visiting their facility this week, General Carbide announced it is adding 100 jobs, financing a $14 million expansion, and awarding $250,000 in employee bonuses. General Carbide's CEO credited tax reform and our booming economy as the reason the company is experiencing its best year ever! Across Pennsylvania, employers like General Carbide are investing more in their workers and operations. This is just the beginning, and I look forward to seeing how tax reform will continue to create positive change in the lives of Pennsylvanians. You can read about my visit to General Carbide in the Tribune-Review here. | | |  | Hearing from You
| | This week, I held my 57th telephone town hall to hear more about the issues that matter to Pennsylvanians. Over 7,500 constituents joined me on the call to discuss border security, tax reform, criminal justice reform, bipartisanship, and many other topics. I've now completed 80 constituent forums across the state since being elected to the Senate - in person, on social media, and over the phone. Telephone town halls are an especially helpful way to keep in touch with constituents when I am in Washington. I appreciate every opportunity I get to hear directly from you, answer questions, and share my perspective on some of the most important issues of the day. I look forward to hosting more forums like this in the future. You can also follow me on Facebook and Twitter where I provide advanced notice of upcoming opportunities to participate in town halls. | | |  | Fighting for Victims of Child Pornography
| | Sexual exploitation of a child is amongst the most abhorrent of crimes. For too long, victims of child pornography have not had access to full and fair restitution for the crimes committed against them. But this week, the Amy, Vicky, and Andy Child Pornography Victim Assistance Act was signed into law. While nothing can erase the pain victims and their families have endured, this legislation guarantees victims access to the restitution they deserve. I have been fighting for victims of child pornography since 2014, when I introduced the Justice for Amy Act. Since then, a bipartisan group of senators came together to tackle this problem and stand up for victims. You can read more and see what Amy said about this legislation here. | | |  | Farm Bill: A Wasted Opportunity
| The Farm Bill, which passed Congress this week, was a wasted opportunity to rein in excessive spending and end corporate welfare. I opposed this legislation because it made no attempt to curb taxpayer-funded handouts or reform the broken sugar program that forces American consumers to pay twice as much for sugar as the rest of the world. Further, efforts to establish a reasonable work requirement for adult, able-bodied food stamp recipients with no dependents, were abandoned. American farmers, consumers, and taxpayers deserved better.
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