Good morning, and welcome to our Weekend Update.

First of all, Shelley, our entire family, and I want to wish you all a happy, healthy, and blessed Thanksgiving. 

On Tuesday morning, I joined “Mornings with Maria” on Fox Business to discuss the strides President Trump is making to strengthen the economy, lower inflation, and make life more affordable for everyday Americans. I also called out Senate Democrats for their blatant hypocrisy on shutdown messaging, especially when the same politicians were pushing nearly identical rhetoric on their own official accounts and websites.

I stressed the gross mismanagement in Pennsylvania, where the Shapiro administration issued a commercial driver’s license to a terrorist-watch-listed Uzbek national who was recently apprehended by ICE.

We wrapped by previewing this week’s Financial Services Committee hearing on the federal deposit insurance framework and how we’re taking a full, practical look at it while ensuring we protect community banks and consumers. Click here or below to watch.

Small businesses are essential to the U.S. economy. Yet under the Biden Administration, they were forced to navigate burdensome regulations, resulting in added costs and millions of hours of paperwork.

At a House Committee on Small Business markup, I spoke in support of the Dump Red Tape Act, which establishes a red tape hotline for small businesses to report regulatory challenges they are facing directly to the Trump Administration.

We will continue delivering for small businesses by increasing transparency, promoting pro-growth policies, and streamlining communication to allow Main Street America to thrive. Click here or below to watch.

In the Financial Services Committee, I heard from witnesses on the future of deposit insurance in our banking system. In 2015, there were 5300 banks. Today, it’s 4100. Less community banks means weakened access to capital for small businesses.

This is a critical discussion and is clearly a debate within the banking community. We must ensure deposits are protected, expand access to capital, make lending cheaper, increase affordability for small businesses, and Make Community Banking Great Again. Click here or below to watch.

During an appearance on “Wake Up America” on Newsmax, I spoke about the work that House Republicans are doing to restore stability, transparency, and accountability in Washington. We are moving appropriations bills through regular order, and we are committed to completing a full budget by the end of January. That requires adults in the room who are willing to negotiate, compromise, and deliver real results.

I also addressed the commonsense health care reforms President Trump and House Republicans are advancing, including rolling back costly temporary Obamacare subsidies, expanding choice, increasing competition, and getting more dollars directly into patients' hands.

And on the Epstein files, as President Trump and I have said from the beginning, all credible and legal information related to Jeffrey Epstein should be released. That is precisely what we have done and what we will continue to do. Click here or below to watch.

I joined the "National Report" on Newsmax to discuss Tuesday's vote to release documents related to the horrific crimes of Jeffrey Epstein.

House Republicans voted for maximum transparency, something Democrats could have done at any point over the past four years but chose not to. Instead, they weaponized these files against President Trump and dragged out the process, showing complete disregard for the victims.

President Trump is confident because he knows the truth. Now that he has signed off on releasing the files, it's time to let the facts speak for themselves. Click here or below to watch.

It was great to join the "RJ Harris Breakfast Show" on WHP 580 to discuss reopening the government and the work ahead.

Now that the Democrat-forced shutdown is behind us, House Republicans and I remain focused on priorities that matter to Pennsylvania and the nation: tackling inflation, strengthening the economy, securing the border, expanding American manufacturing, cracking down on scams and fraud, and advancing sensible healthcare reforms that put patients first.

There is a lot of work ahead, and my Republican colleagues and I are ready to get it done and keep delivering results for the American people. Click here or below to listen.

I joined the "Bob Cordaro Show" on WILK FM to discuss the latest on what's unfolding in Washington and Congress this week. House Democrats continue to stage political spectacles, putting politics over the American people. Meanwhile, House Republicans are focused on real solutions—restoring accountability, improving transparency, and delivering results that actually matter to hardworking Americans. Click here or below to listen.

It was a pleasure joining the "Bobby Gunther Walsh Show" this week on 790 WAEB to share the latest updates from Washington and what they mean for families across Pennsylvania’s 9th District.

While Democrats continue to focus on political spectacles and avoid accountability, President Trump and House Republicans are focused on what really matters, including lowering costs, strengthening domestic manufacturing, unleashing our energy potential, and restoring fiscal responsibility for the American people. Click here or below to listen.

We were in session this week and I was pleased to preside over session.

We also got to welcome the one and only Ty Poole in D.C.

This week, some Congressional Democrats released a video telling troops not to follow orders. President Trump issued a statement outlining the penalty for sedition. President Trump presented this statement in black and white, as he does when the case is this clear: what is right and what is wrong. As we know, the President never hesitates to hold back his words.

The media have asked me if I think President Trump should walk back his remarks. The ones who should walk back their comments are the Congressional Democrats who produced this video. And if there is clarity and contrition, President Trump may very well forgive them.

We should not downplay or minimize what these Democrats said in this video. Their comments could impact our national security, military readiness and preparedness, and our ability to keep our allies safe. This is serious. That's why thankfully we have a serious President, who stands for patriotism and what America First really means.... putting America First!

A House Committee on Small Business hearing this week offered an opportunity to hear from small manufacturers and experts on the return of American manufacturing and the policies driving it.

It was clear that pro-growth tax policies from the Working Families Tax Cut are fueling investment and reshoring manufacturing businesses across the United States. Although there is still more work to be done, we are making strides to unleash domestic manufacturing, including by addressing health care costs, excessive regulations left over from the Biden Administration, and high interest rates.

House Republicans are focused on building on the Working Families Tax Cut by delivering reforms that cut red tape, lower costs, and strengthen the foundation of American manufacturing. Click here or below to watch.

Scams targeting Pennsylvanians are getting more aggressive. Americans lost over $12.5 billion to fraud last year — and only about 8% of scams are ever reported.

As Chair of Oversight & Investigations on the Financial Services Committee Republicans, I’m working with law enforcement and federal agencies to crack down on these schemes and protect consumers. Similar programs are taking place across the nation. Click here or below to watch a clip of a similar effort in another part of the nation.

My new PSA on this issue is now airing across the 9th District. Click here to listen.

Below is the script:

This is Congressman Dan Meuser.

As Chairman of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, I’m helping lead the fight against rampant scams and fraud targeting Pennsylvanians and all Americans.

We’re working with the private sector, the White House, law enforcement, as well as through congressional investigations to expose and prevent scams.

Please be highly cautious of any communications that appear to come from the IRS, your bank, or E-ZPass.

No legitimate organization will ask for your personal information or for payment of fees and fines online.

These scammers are clever, so always verify suspicious messages by calling your bank using official numbers.

We’ve launched a new resource to help consumers recognize, reject, and report scams at meuser.house.gov/scams.

Here, you’ll find tips on spotting scams, steps to take if you’ve been targeted, and links to report suspicious activity.

Once again, this is Congressman Dan Meuser. You aren’t fighting these scammers alone. My office is here to help.

Paid for by official funds authorized by the House of Representatives.

IN NEWS YOU WON’T HEAR IN THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA: Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and this year Republicans have been working to fix Bidenflation and lower the cost of food and gas, setting Pennsylvanians up for a more affordable Thanksgiving than last year. Retailers confirm they are offering their cheapest Thanksgiving meals since before Biden.

The proof is in the prices:  

• Walmart: Thanksgiving meal down 25% from last year—with its lowest turkey price since 2019
• Lidl: Thanksgiving meal is $10 less than last year
• Aldi: Thanksgiving meal is $7 less than last year—its lowest price since 2019
• Target: Lowest Thanksgiving meal ever
• Schnucks: Cheapest frozen turkeys in 15+ years

Wells Fargo confirms individual food items are starting to cost less, too: dinner rolls are down 22%, frozen vegetables are down 15%, and items like turkeys, stuffing, gravy mix, fresh cranberries, and pumpkin pies cost less than under Joe Biden.

It’s not just food: gas prices are dropping too. The national average cost of gasoline dropped beneath $3 per gallon in the first week of November. In Pennsylvania, gas is down to $3.30.

This is proof that President Trump and Congressional Republicans are fighting the high prices that plagued families for four years under Biden – even after Democrats put a strain on the government and economy with their deranged, reckless government shutdown.

Inflation under Biden cumulatively rose to 20%, while the inflation rate under President Trump thus far is less than 2%. We can argue very well that inflation has been defeated. The problem is that the high prices generated and created during the Biden administration have not yet come down. That’s what the Trump administration and Congressional Republicans are focused on.

It was a pleasure to spend a few moments with my good friend Bernie Navarro, President Trump’s nominee to serve as U.S. Ambassador to Peru, following his nomination hearing this week before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Bernie is a strong leader, a successful businessman, and a true embodiment of the American Dream. I’m confident the Senate will confirm him swiftly and that he will represent the United States with distinction in Peru.

Our good friend Jim Worthington and I hosted a fundraiser for former RNC Chair and North Carolina GOP U.S. Senate candidate Michael Whatley's campaign. Michael is an accomplished candidate and we were glad we could put together such a great event. (Pictured below with Jim Worthington and Michael Whatley)

(Shelley, my daughter and I pictured with Michael Whatley)

I joined the Cigar Association of America, along with many of their members, to give a Congressional update at their annual meeting. The CAA represents dozens of American small businesses, including great Pennsylvania companies like Lancaster Leaf, ITG Brands and Best Cigar Prices, who collectively employ thousands of Americans and contribute billions to the U.S. economy.

We discussed issues facing the industry and the progress made so far this year by the Trump administration and House Republicans with a focus on common sense deregulation and pro-growth tax policies. (Pictured with the team from ITG, based in Macado in the 9th District)

We attended the America First policy Institute event this weekend. (Pictured below with my daughter, my wife Shelley, Byron Donalds, and his wife Erica.)

On Tuesday, we recognized National Entrepreneur Day. We honor the business owners across the 9th District and the nation who work every day to turn the American Dream into reality.

Your efforts drive our economy, create jobs, and keep Main Street strong. The Trump administration and House Republicans are committed to cutting red tape, lowering taxes, expanding access to capital, and building a workforce ready to meet the demands of business. When small businesses win, America wins.

On Wednesday, we marked the 162nd anniversary of the Gettysburg Address.

On November 19th, 1863, President Lincoln delivered just 272 words. He humbly remarked that “the world will little note, nor long remember what we say here.”

Speaking to a nation wounded by war, he honored those who sacrificed their lives and challenged every American to preserve “government of the people, by the people, for the people.”

On this anniversary, we remember his words more than a century and a half later, the courage displayed at Gettysburg, and the enduring promise of our Republic.

Once again, Pennsylvania’s 9^th District is home to the busiest National Guard training center in the country! I applaud Fort Indiantown Gap, its staff, and trainers on this impressive achievement. Preparing our nation's warfighters to serve on the front lines is no small feat.

This past Sunday, I hosted our annual Academy Day at Bloomsburg University, where I met with 24 outstanding high school candidates from across Pennsylvania’s Ninth District, including strong representation from Lebanon County and virtually every county in the district, who are pursuing a U.S. Service Academy nomination. Each student’s dedication, accomplishments, and patriotism were truly impressive, and speaking with these young men and women, along with their families, reaffirmed my confidence that we have many bright, hardworking American patriots ready to serve and lead our country. That’s why I love Academy Day: it provides the opportunity to meet these exceptional students and their parents. 

Thanks very much to our District Team for the excellent organization of this event, particularly Denise Weaver, who manages the academy nomination process, and a special thanks to Commander Susan Allan for sharing her time and expertise. We also want to thank our committee members, who spent the full day conducting interviews and approached this important moment in the lives of these young people with the seriousness and care it deserves. I’m grateful to all involved and wish each candidate the very best as they continue their academy journey.

(Pictured below with Recruit Carr who interviewed for West Point)

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