Dear [firstname],
While the nation faces serious global challenges and I continue my work in Washington, including questioning the leaders of our intelligence community during Congressional hearings last week, I remain focused on delivering real progress for our community. This past week brought meaningful developments across several priorities I care deeply about, from biotechnology to small businesses to affordability. I’m glad to share a few highlights with you. |
Here in Pennsylvania’s Sixth District, I often describe our region as spanning “farms to pharma.” From our rich agricultural roots to a rapidly growing life sciences corridor, sometimes called “Cellicon Valley,” our community is uniquely positioned to lead on biotechnology innovation.
As an engineer by training and a former chemistry teacher, supporting American leadership in biotechnology is a personal priority of mine. This field brings together biology, chemistry, and engineering to solve some of our biggest challenges, from developing lifesaving treatments to strengthening our food systems and supply chains. With the advancements in artificial intelligence, biotech innovation is accelerating even faster, creating good-paying jobs, new manufacturing opportunities, and groundbreaking medical advances. |
We need to be competitive, which means we need to promote biotech research, development, and manufacturing here at home. To ensure the United States remains a global leader—especially as competitors like China invest heavily in this space—I co-founded the bipartisan Congressional BIOTech Caucus. Now more than 50 members strong and evenly divided by party, the caucus is focused on advancing research, development, and domestic manufacturing. |
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Last week, we held our first roundtable with experts in agricultural biotechnology. We discussed how these innovations can protect crops from disease, strengthen our farms against natural disasters, and expand American exports. As the Mushroom Capital of the World, our community has a particularly important role to play in advancing agricultural innovation. |
Back home, I’ve also been meeting directly with leaders across Chester and Berks Counties as part of my Biotech Across the Sixth roadshow, ensuring our national strategy reflects the needs of our local workforce and businesses. From lowering prescription drug costs to building a stronger talent pipeline, these conversations are helping shape my work in Congress. |
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I’m also proud to share that key provisions of my bipartisan Research Advancing to Market Production (RAMP) for Innovators Act passed both the House and Senate last week. This bill passed as part of broader legislation to fund the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. By reauthorizing funding, this legislation helps more entrepreneurs access federal programs that bridge the gap between research and real-world products.
This is a practical, meaningful step to ensure that innovation happening in labs can turn into jobs, companies, and economic growth right here in our community. It’s also a valuable reminder that, even as gridlock in Congress keeps us from accomplishing many of our goals, we can still get good work done. I look forward to seeing this bill become law in the coming weeks! |
Back in the district, I launched my Affordability in Action series with a roundtable at Delaware County Community College. I heard directly from more than 30 community members about the real impact of rising costs, from housing to healthcare to childcare. Attendees shared their personal experiences, including feeling crushed by rising rent costs in our area and worrying that they may not be able to afford to grow their families.
These conversations are critical. They help inform my work in Congress to address the cost-of-living crisis, advocating for solutions that are tailored to our community’s needs. Recently, I joined my fellow New Democrat Caucus members to launch our Affordability Agenda, which includes comprehensive |
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plans to address the high costs of housing, healthcare, childcare, and much more. These are the tangible solutions that we deserve, and I’m excited to keep working to achieve them. |
Next in this series: I’ll be hosting an Energy Costs Town Hall in Pottstown on Wednesday, April 8th at 6:00 PM at Owen J. Roberts High School. I hope you’ll join me and share your thoughts. |
Finally, it was an honor to celebrate this year’s Service Academy nominees and appointees from our district. Of the 18 exceptional students nominated, eight have already received appointments to our nation’s military academies. |
As an Air Force veteran and the daughter and granddaughter of Navy veterans, I know the weight of this commitment. These young leaders have chosen a path of service to our country, and I could not be prouder of them. It is an honor to nominate them, and I look forward to supporting them throughout their journeys. |
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Weeks like this are a reminder that even in challenging times, we can still make meaningful progress for our community and our country. Thank you, as always, for the opportunity to serve you. |
Chrissy Houlahan U.S. Member of Congress
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