Dear [firstname],

I’m back home in our community after a long week down in Washington, and I wanted to take this opportunity to update you on all that my team and I have been up to. This week I: 

• Met with Ukrainian officials and voted for $14B in military & humanitarian aid 

• Announced $96 million to improve SEPTA 

• Questioned Small Business Administration (SBA) officials to deliver for our community 

• Shared your issues with the IRS in a speech on the House Floor 

• And (finally) passed legislation to fully fund the government 

On Tuesday night, I joined my colleagues in the For Country Caucus—a bipartisan group of veterans in congress—to meet with members of the Ukrainian Parliament and learn more about the situation on the ground. I am grateful for these brave Ukrainian legislators' insights on how we can better support their fight for their Democracy and their sovereignty.

As part of the budget bill we voted to pass on Wednesday night, we provided for $14 billion in military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine. This is an important step as we continue to work with the Biden Administration, NATO Allies, and our EU partners to help the Ukrainian people defend their homeland. This budget process was a long and challenging one, but it was worth it to ensure we fulfill our duty to fund our federal agencies.  

In the face of rising costs for Pennsylvanians, ensuring we help working families protect their paycheck could not be more imperative. I am working aggressively in Congress to do just that, and I assure you that every viable option is being considered to bring down prices—especially at the gas pump. This budget reflects our values by centering on working families, too. Among other Pennsylvania priorities, this bill will fund rural development and broadband, expand child care program accessibility, support high-quality job training and apprenticeship programs, strengthen nutrition assistance for our most vulnerable, bolster the VA’s health care system, and reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act. Read a section-by-section summary of the government funding package here.

I was also excited to join my good friends and colleagues Senator Casey and Congresswoman Scanlon in Philadelphia to announce that, thanks to the American Rescue Plan, SEPTA will receive $96 million to improve both the frequency and quality of service. Our community relies on SEPTA both for the access it provides to Philadelphia and the business it brings to the suburbs—this funding is a welcome investment.

Small businesses have always been the heart of our community. As such, the SBA and its programs have a profound impact on our ability to thrive. When Hurricane Ida destroyed businesses and flooded homes, Economic Impact Disaster Loans (EIDLs) were a cornerstone of the SBA’s recovery plan. However, I noticed that—despite over 70 applications—$0 has been distributed and our local businesses deserve an explanation. That’s why I led fellow members of the Pennsylvania delegation in sending a bipartisan letter to SBA Administrator Isabel Guzman seeking answers—primarily, why this has happened and how we can fix it. You can read our letter here.

To round out the week, I joined small business owners for a roundtable at Baba’s Brews Kombucha in Phoenixville. I heard how small business owners adapted to keep their doors open during the pandemic, and how they’d like to see Congress support them as we continue our recovery. Many of the small businesses present utilized the Paycheck Protection Program, a lifeline I helped champion in the House Small Business Committee, to keep their staff on payroll. As an entrepreneur, I know Pennsylvania businesses like these are a vital part of our community, and I will continue to push for new ways to help them succeed. 

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Finally, I wanted to include a quick note about our internships! Applications are open for both legislative and press internships with my team, and I cannot wait to meet our next class of smart and motivated young public servants. If you know anyone who might be interested, please send them my way! As always, I hope you’ll reach out to my team with any questions, comments, and suggestions you may have. Stay safe, I hope to see you around our community soon. 

Sincerely,