NASA in NEPA, Strengthening National Security and Getting Time Off to Vote

Dear John,

This week, I was honored to host NASA Astronaut Bob Hines and Administrator Bill Nelson in Northeast PA to meet and inspire our future generations of astronauts, scientists, engineers and more.

Upon arrival, Astronaut Bob Hines and I enjoyed a morning assembly with the entire student body of Pittston Area High School. Then, we met with Admin. Nelson and area students at the WVIA studios in Jenkins Township.

As a Crestwood High School alum Astronaut Hines felt right at home speaking with the students of Northeast Pennsylvania.

Watch the hour-long NASA studio event with area students here.

After meeting with students, we held exciting discussions at a small business roundtable with local business leaders interested in boosting our local space economy.

It truly was an out-of-this-world day in NEPA with NASA Admin. Nelson, Astronaut Hines, area students and local business leaders.

Together, we are focusing on boosting a space economy in NEPA with good paying jobs through exploring business opportunities, and inspiring students to envision bright futures in space careers.

Lackawanna County

Strengthening National Security

It was great to be at the Gentex Corporation headquarters in Carbondale to announce $5 million in federal funding to continue updating its nearly 130-year-old facility.

This Department of Defense funding will help provide for advanced electrochromic manufacturing for application in visual display, augmented reality (AR) and other complex eyewear systems.

Two key Department of Defense programs that will greatly benefit from Gentex's innovative electrochromic auto-tinting technology are the U.S. Army's Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS), and the F-35 Fighter program, which is working to improve helmet system performance and reducing weight by way of a single day/night visor.

As a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee and Ranking Member of the Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Subcommittee, I’m working every day down in D.C. to bring home our region’s fair share of federal tax dollars and contracts, like this one, in order to positively impact our local economy and provide good-paying jobs for Northeast Pennsylvanians.

The Carbondale headquarters supports six other Gentex facilities throughout the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia. Out of the 1,000 employees who work at Gentex worldwide, 500 of them are based in Northeast Pennsylvania, and 100 new positions are now being offered by Gentex to fill new orders.

Legislative Update:

Time Off to Vote Act

I am proud to report that I have reintroduced the Time Off to Vote Act along with Rep. Nikema Williams to reaffirm our commitment to making voting more accessible to all by ensuring that American workers do not have to choose between casting their ballots or receiving a full paycheck.

This legislation would require employers to provide their employees at least two hours of paid leave to vote in a federal election.

During each election, many wage earners choose not to go to the polls because they simply cannot afford to take time off from work.

Voting should not be a luxury that only the well-off can afford. The Time Off to Vote Act would establish a minimum national standard to give workers time to vote without creating a financial burden.

Learn more here.

Military Service Academy

Application Deadline

Every year, I have the distinct honor of nominating young men and women from NEPA to the elite United States Service Academies.

September 29th is the final day for applications and supporting documents for those seeking a congressional nomination for the class of 2028.

Learn more and apply directly here.

Be safe and well,

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