Bringing Together Experts to Help Our Senior Community

I was proud to help pass the American Rescue Plan through Congress and onto President Biden's desk for signature. The bill includes a myriad of support mechanisms for our seniors, some of the most impacted people in our community during this Covid-19 crisis. I want to ensure that our seniors back home have the most up-to-date information about the bill and have an opportunity to ask me and our panel of experts questions. 

The telephone town hall will be held this Tuesday, May 18 at 6:00pm. To join, dial (855) 731-4616.

What We're Working On

Introducing Legislation Inspired by Our National Guard Servicewomen

Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down with a group of PA Guardswomen here in Washington. We discussed their service and some of the struggles they face as women in the Armed Forces, struggles I know well having also been an active duty mother.

Our military needs to do a better job of caring for and supporting servicemembers who are building a family. We have seen great progress in the past few years, but more can and must be done. Supporting our military moms isn’t a women’s issue – it’s a military readiness and national security issue. I am thrilled to see so many women electing to serve their country. Our military needs to respond with inclusive policies like standardized paid leave, postpartum depression screening and an increased time window between giving birth and having to pass your required fitness test again.

That's why I wrote the Military Moms Matter Act, which will address some of these crucial issues and continue supporting the brave women who volunteer to defend this country. I'm so proud that this bill has already garnered bipartisan support, and I will be working to get it passed into law as quickly as possible.

Continuing Efforts to Get Our Community Vaccinated...UPDATES

I'm so proud to represent our community, which continues to lead the Commonwealth in vaccination rates. Vaccines continue to be our best line of defense against this pandemic, and the fasted route to fully reopen our schools and small businesses.

As of Thursday, nearly half of all adult Pennsylvanians have been fully vaccinated. This is incredible news. We know that vaccines are our best and strongest tool to crush this virus. 

Another piece of great news is that Pennsylvanians age 12 to 15 can now receive the Pfizer vaccine! More and more of our community, Commonwealth, and country are getting vaccinated, and we're begging to see things open up and return to normal. 

I encourage all eligible Pennsylvanians to get vaccinated. It's free and widely available. 

Find a vaccine near you at http://vaccines.gov or by text message:

English: Text your ZIP code to GETVAX (438829)
Spanish: Text your ZIP code to VACUNA (822862)

Lastly, CDC has issued new guidance relaxing masking requirements for vaccinated individuals. Per the new guidelines, "Fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear a mask or physically distance in any setting, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance."

Convening Panel Focused on Community College's Role in Future of Work

This week, I hosted a public forum examining the critical role community college will play as Pennsylvania works to rebuild its economy and generate jobs and academic opportunities for workers and students of all skill and income levels.

I was grateful to be joined by Dr. L. Joy Gates Black, the President of Delaware County Community College and a fellow Air Force veteran. She has been a leader in our community, and her work continues to inspire us all. 

As I made clear in the presentation, I firmly believe community college will play a vital role in our economic recovery. Our conversation made that clear as we focused on how programs offered at Delaware County Community College will be helpful to students and working families as we make efforts to increase access to education, and by extension, access to jobs and financial stability.

We have the responsibility right now to capitalize on the momentum that is our growing economy and help ensure we have workers with the necessary skills and education to succeed in the 21st century. Community college will help bridge the skills gap in a post-COVID economy.

If you missed our conversation, you can view it here. 

Making Your Voice Heard

Voting in Our Commonwealth's Upcoming Municipal Primary Election