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February 16, 2019

A Bad Deal

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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 than I thought optimal, $1.4 billion is such a compromise.

I'm pleased there won't be another partial government shutdown, but it was irresponsible for Congress to pass, without scrutiny, or opportunity for amendments, 1,700-plus pages of spending including hundreds of millions on wasteful and ineffective programs.

Excessive spending in the bill includes $10 million for environmental programming at the UN, billions for ‘economic development' projects that have historically gone to things like sidewalks and swimming pools, and nearly $200 million for government land purchases despite the government's neglect of hundreds of millions of acres in its possession.

Clearly there was no serious attempt to curb Washington's addiction to overspending. Instead, this bill added to our mounting debt, and I could not support it.

The responsible way to fund the government is to do each appropriations bill individually, giving members the opportunity to scrutinize and amend each bill. In 2018, we made progress toward this goal with the enactment of five individual appropriations bills well before the end of the fiscal year. This year, Congress should do this for the entire government. I will continue fighting for a normal appropriations process and urge my colleagues to join me in restoring fiscal sanity to the federal funding process.

Regarding President Trump's decision to declare a national emergency upon signing this spending bill, I made no secret of the fact that I hoped the president would choose to avoid unilateral action and work with Congress on a legislative solution to secure the border. My staff and I are reviewing the president's declaration and its implications very closely.  

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Our New Attorney General
I was pleased to join a bipartisan majority of my colleagues in confirming Bill Barr to lead the U.S. Department of Justice this week. He is eminently qualified and will make an outstanding attorney general. His distinguished record of public service indicates that as attorney general he will work tirelessly to uphold the rule of law and keep our communities safe.
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My Reaction to the EPA's Plan on PFAS

The contamination of Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water in Bucks and Montgomery Counties -- likely a result of the use of certain firefighting foam chemicals during training exercises on military bases -- may be a very serious health matter for those impacted. Given the potential consequences for these communities, I have encouraged the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to address the concerns.

This week, the EPA announced its plan to address water contaminated by PFAS.

The EPA's announcement is an important step toward addressing the water contamination by PFAS chemicals in Bucks and Montgomery Counties. I'm pleased that the EPA's engagement with impacted communities informed the objectives outlined in their Action Plan. It is also encouraging that this plan includes a timeline for next steps that are legally required for the EPA to set an enforceable drinking water standard.

I will continue to support efforts by the EPA, U.S. Department of Defense, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to take action related to PFAS chemicals.

Read more about this issue here.

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Pushing Back Against Attempts to Water Down Anti-Hijacking Bill

On the morning of September 11, 2001, Bucks County's Captain Victor Saracini was piloting United Flight 175 when terrorists hijacked his plane and flew it into the World Trade Center. With the help of Captain Saracini's wife, Ellen, Senator Bob Casey (D-Pa.) and I were able to get legislation signed into law that requires all new airplanes to have a secondary barrier to better secure the cockpit from would-be hijackers.

However, some in the airline industry have recently attempted to argue that this legislation only applies to new "models" of aircraft. This week, Senator Casey and I sent a letter to Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Elaine Chao urging strict enforcement of this important air travel safety law.

The legislation specifically applies to all new aircraft for commercial passenger air carriers in the United States, not just new types, or models, of aircraft. I hope Secretary Chao won't allow attempts to water down this important anti-hijacking bill to succeed.

You can read more about this important measure here.

LEHIGH VALLEY, PA

PH: (610) 434-1444

ERIE, PA

PH: (814) 453-3010

HARRISBURG, PA

PH: (717) 782-3951

JOHNSTOWN, PA

PH: (814) 266-5970

PHILADELPHIA, PA

PH: (215) 241-1090

PITTSBURGH, PA

PH: (412) 803-3501

SCRANTON/WILKES-BARRE, PA

PH: (570) 820-4088

WASHINGTON, D.C.

PH: (202) 224-4254

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