Good afternoon, and welcome to our Weekend Update.

First, I hope you had a Happy Halloween. It's a great time to make some memories with our children… as well as the young at heart.

We are 33 days into the Democrat-led Schumer Shutdown.

Every Senate Democrat's vote to block the clean, House-passed CR is a vote that denies small businesses across Main Street America the opportunity to grow. The SBA has been stopped from delivering over $3 billion in guaranteed loans, cutting off access to capital for thousands of entrepreneurs.

It’s long past time for Senate Democrats to reopen the government and restore critical services, such as SBA loan programs, that give small businesses the tools to expand, create jobs, and keep their doors open.

Even members of their own party and the largest federal workers’ union are speaking out against them. Senator John Fetterman, who votes with Republicans just 6% of the time, has consistently voted for the CR, which would pay our troops, support telehealth, and ensure federal workers like TSA officers and Border Patrol agents receive their paychecks.

Senate Democrats are standing in the way of President Donald J. Trump's agenda to strengthen our economy, rein in wasteful spending, and restore American leadership at home and abroad. They must vote to reopen the government and start working for the American people. I joined “Newsline” on Newsmax to discuss the ongoing shutdown. Click here or below to watch.

On Friday, I joined "Varney & Co." on Fox Business to further discuss the damage caused by the Senate Democrats' refusal to vote on a clean CR. Click here or below to watch.

On the RJ Harris Breakfast Show on WHP 580, I discussed the Democrat shutdown. Rather than trying to win a political football game, Senate Democrats have shut the game down entirely, and the problem is, this isn’t a game. Real people, hardworking American families, are the ones suffering because the Left refuses to do its job. Click here or below to listen to our interview.

While U.S. Senate Democrats repeatedly vote against reopening the government, House Republicans are listening to those across our districts devastated by the Democrat-led shutdown & continuing to work for the American people. Click here or below to watch how we have been fighting for you.

Thankfully, President Trump has taken action to fund SNAP benefits. With court approval, the Trump administration was permitted to release critical funding to allow people who need support to feed their families. Unfortunately, as we stated above, none of this was necessary as Senate Democrats created this disaster.

IN NEWS YOU WON’T HEAR IN THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA: Even the left-wing workers' union The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), which directed 93.9% of its political donations to Democrats in the 2024 election cycle, is calling on Democrats to pass a clean continuing resolution and open the government immediately. 

Democrats have voted 12 times against Republicans' clean continuing resolution because they want to give your money to illegal aliens.

While Americans are hurting, "every day gets better for" Chuck Schumer and Democrats:

• Democrat Whip Katherine Clark: “Of course there will be families that are going to suffer... but it is one of the few leverage times we have."
  
  
• Senator Ruben Gallego: "This does suck" for everyone not getting paid.
  
  
• Senator Bernie Sanders: “[If] you reopen the government and we lose our leverage…”
  
  
• Senator Martin Heinrich: “That just gives the President more leverage” if we vote to pay troops, TSA agents, or law enforcement.
  
  
• Representative Emilia Sykes: "We know that people are going to suffer...people will go hungry."

Democrats, who are feeling no impact themselves, are blatantly aware that their government shutdown is hurting every day, hardworking Americans. 

But they have made it clear that they don't serve working Americans; they serve the far left.

Earlier this week, I visited the St. Joseph Center for Special Learning in Schuylkill Haven, a school dedicated to helping students with intellectual and developmental disabilities learn, grow, and build confidence.

Principal Bob Giba shared that the Center recently moved into its new home at the former St. Ambrose School, creating space to expand programs and launch a state-licensed Adult Program that helps individuals 18 and older stay active and engaged in the community.

Thank you to Principal Giba and the entire team for your outstanding work. I look forward to seeing the St. Joseph Center continue to grow and support students and families across Schuylkill County for years to come.

I sat down with the dedicated team at Schuylkill Community Action (SCA), an organization committed to supporting low-income families across Schuylkill County through housing assistance, food security programs, job training, and family services.

SCA’s CEO, Dave Young, explained that the ongoing Democrat-forced shutdown is already putting their work in jeopardy. Without access to their federal block grant, SCA could soon face staffing cuts and disruptions to programs that many families depend on. (See the 2024 Impact Report below)

Pictured with Dave Young, CEO of Schuylkill Community Action, and Mary Beth Dougherty, Chair of SCA’s Board of Directors and representative of Senator Argall’s office.

It’s always nice to meet a real-life hero. I had lunch on Friday with Col. Robert J. Graham, USAF, Ret., who wrote the book “One of the Few“, and shared some amazing stories of his time in Vietnam.

Spanning 1962 to 1973, Bob’s story follows his four combat tours in Vietnam, from advising the South Vietnamese military to flying over 500 missions.
In the background is a portrait of another great American hero, Patrick J. Solano.

On Saturday morning, I joined State Rep. Jamie Walsh at Misericordia University for Luzerne County’s Veterans Recognition Ceremony.

Our Veterans are the heart of what makes America great. They answered the call to serve, and today’s ceremony and expo were a reminder that we owe them the same level of commitment they’ve shown to us.

Since 2019, my office has helped more than 2,000 veterans and servicemembers resolve issues with the VA and recover over $1.8 million in earned benefits, and we are always here to help. To every veteran across the 9th District and the nation, thank you for your service!

I want to send my thoughts and prayers to the victims of Hurricane Melissa, which left a trail of destruction across Jamaica and other Caribbean nations. This historic storm pummeled the islands, causing deaths and destroying many homes.

Campaign Update:

On Tuesday, Shelley and I were in Lebanon County for the annual Lebanon County Republican Committee Fall Dinner! It was a pleasure to be joined by our outstanding Lebanon County legislators —Senator Chris Gebhard, Representative John Schlegel, Representative Russ Diamond, and Representative Tom Jones —along with our dedicated county officers. It’s always great to see my friend, Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward, who delivered excellent remarks. We were also glad to have judicial candidates Maria Battista and Matt Wolford with us as they enter the home stretch of their campaigns.

Congratulations to the Lebanon County Young Republicans on being named Pennsylvania’s YR Chapter of the Year and for their incredible work supporting candidates across the county. A big thank-you to Chairman Bill Bova and the Lebanon County Republicans for hosting another fantastic event!

I had a great evening at the Schuylkill County Republican Committee Fall Dinner, celebrating the hard work and dedication of our local leaders. Always nice catching up with Senator Dave Argall and Representatives Joanne Stehr, Dane Watro, and Jamie Barton, strong voices for our communities.

I was also glad to see my good friend and our next governor, Stacy Garrity, who delivered outstanding remarks, along with statewide judicial candidates Matt Wolford and Maria Battista. We also have some important local races. Best of luck to Christian Lengel in his race for Magisterial District Judge and Tom Smith in his race for Pottsville Mayor.

Big thanks to Chairman Gary Feathers and the Schuylkill County Republican Committee for putting together another memorable event.

On Tuesday, please join me in voting for:

Maria Battista for Superior Court

Matt Wolford for Commonwealth Court

Tom Mosca for Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas
Walter Griffith for Luzerne County Controller
John Lombardo, Brian Thornton, Stephen Urban, Jackie Scarcella, and Greg Wolovich for Luzerne County Council

I also voted NO on all five judicial retention questions for the Supreme, Superior, and Commonwealth Courts.

May God continue to bless our nation. I look forward to seeing you soon,