John,

Good afternoon, and welcome to our Weekend Update.

I wish all who celebrate a very blessed and Happy Hanukkah! May the light and inspire hope in us all. As President Donald J. Trump wrote, “The miracle of Hanukkah began more than 2,000 years ago when a proud band of Jewish patriots courageously stood up and reclaim their freedom, their faith and their traditions from an oppressive tyrant. After that great victory, the Jewish heroes prepared to rededicate the Holy Temple, but found only enough oil to light the lamp for one night. Yet by the grace of the Almighty. The flames radiated for eight days and eight nights. Ever since, the Menorah has been a symbol of Jewish perseverance in the face of oppression, and of God's hope, mercy and love in times of hardship."

Speaking of President Trump, I want to share the thoughtful gift I received from him this week. Below is a signed picture of my tweet announcing my decision to withdraw from the U.S. Speaker's race to focus on ensuring President Trump wins Pennsylvania in November. I am committed to this effort, and working together, Pennsylvania can help put our nation back on the track of prosperity.

This week, University of Pennsylvania President Elizabeth Magill testified during a House hearing on antisemitism on campuses. She was joined by the presidents of other universities, including Harvard and MIT. During her testimony, Magill repeatedly refused to characterize calls for genocide of Jews as a breach of Penn’s code of conduct. Unfortunately, but unsurprisingly, President Magill’s testimony reflected the pervasive moral and educational failures prevalent at the University of Pennsylvania.

I joined my colleagues, Congressmen Guy Reschenthaler, Mike Kelly, John Joyce, Lloyd Smucker, and Brian Fitzpatrick, in sending a letter to the University of Pennsylvania’s board calling for them to relieve President Magill of her duties. We wrote, “On December 5th, she confirmed that hateful, dangerous rhetoric is welcomed on the grounds of one of the oldest higher education institutions in the United States. Her actions in front of Congress were an embarrassment to the university, its student body, and its vast network of proud alumni.” Click here to read the letter.

Yesterday, under tremendous pressure, Magill resigned. I joined "Fox Report with Jon Scott" on Fox News to discuss the resignation further. Check back later for a clip of my interview.

Over the weekend, multiple commercial ships attacked in the Red Sea. I joined Fox News’s “Fox Report with Jon Scott” to discuss this issue. The Biden Administration’s practice of appeasement is emboldening our enemies — we need to establish deterrence now! Under President Trump, Ukraine wasn’t invaded, Israel wasn’t invaded, and we didn’t have this high level of ill activity taking place throughout the world. The United States must once again establish itself as the deterrent and the offensive. Click here or below to watch my interview.

I joined “The Evening Edit” on Fox Business to discuss the Biden Administration’s ideology of appeasement, which is running rampant at our southern border, on our streets, and globally, including in the Middle East. There is only one way to deal with terrorists – they must be wiped out. Hamas is the enemy, and we cannot allow Iran’s proxy terror to go unchecked. Click here or below to watch my interview.

The Biden Administration’s ideology of appeasement is making victims of crime the guilty party while actual criminals are being shown sympathy. In Washington, DC, only 44% of arrests have been prosecuted this year, and in many cities, the statistics are even worse. I’m working on legislation to ensure prosecutors do their jobs and hold criminals accountable. I joined Newsmax's "National Report" to discuss this issue further. Click here or below to watch my interview.

I had the opportunity to meet with Talen Energy CEO Mac McFarland this week. Talen Energy has a presence throughout the 9th District. It is an independent power producer and infrastructure company that aims to provide zero-carbon, reliable energy to consumers at a low cost.
We discussed the future of Talen Energy's footprint in the District and the company’s new Susquehanna data center campus.

This week, several of my colleagues on the Small Business Committee and I participated in a roundtable discussion with the Administrator of the Small Business Administration, Isabel Casillas Guzman. We had a productive conversation about initiatives and programs aimed at supporting entrepreneurs and the need to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars. I will continue to advocate for pro-growth policies that help our small business community thrive.

IN NEWS YOU WON’T HEAR IN THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA: Biden continues to break all the wrong records related to the border crisis. Democrats have done nothing and continue to ignore the issue.

NEW: A huge group of hundreds of illegal immigrants just came through a breach in the border wall and have crossed into Lukeville, AZ. Just as Border Patrol begins to clear masses out, more arrive. More will likely arrive after sundown. It’s a free-for-all all out here. Crazy to see. pic.twitter.com/Dz7Ed6WMES — Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) December 6, 2023

Earlier this week, more than 12,000 illegal immigrants were encountered at the southern border in a single day — the highest daily total ever recorded — with individual sectors also reporting record totals. The staggering numbers come amid a flood of “single, adult men” from African, Middle Eastern, and Asian countries and a “resurgence of smuggling” from Mexico.

Since October 1, more than 535,000 illegal immigrants have been encountered at the southern border, in addition to 65,000+ known “gotaways” (roughly 1,000 per day) who escaped into the country.

Illegal immigrants are literally thanking Joe Biden for the open border!

Yet, Democrats act shocked Republicans are demanding a secure border:

• Biden says border security is “political,” “draconian,” and “extreme.”
  
  
• DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas says border security is akin to “violence.”
  
  
• Budget Director Shalanda Young is “stunned” by Republican efforts.
  
  
• Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre thinks simple border security measures are “extreme,” though she is unable to name any specifics.

Senate Democrats aren’t even trying to hide their carelessness for border security, even as authorities warn terrorists may attempt to “exploit” the southern border over the holiday season.

Instead, Democrats are holding border security hostage under the guise of “national security.”

Border security is national security. President Trump understood that, and when re-elected, I am confident he will secure our border. After all, he had the border situation under control during his administration by building the wall, implementing the "Remain in Mexico" plan, and providing our brave men and women who work in the U.S. Border Patrol with the resources we need. The Biden administration's policies of appeasement must be stopped. We must re-elect President Donald Trump.

This week, we marked the 82nd anniversary of the infamous attack on Pearl Harbor, which took the lives of more than 2,400 Americans. Please join me in honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country on that day and throughout World War II.

I want to thank the dedicated miners, both past and present, whose unwavering commitment and sacrifice have played a crucial role in powering our nation.

Our good friend, Chairman GT Thompson, announced he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

GT is stronger than a Pennsylvania bull — this, the great treatment we have in PA, and the prayers of my family and hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians will assure a speedy recovery. God bless you and Penny, GT.

I want to acknowledge some great high school football seasons around the 9th District. In particular, I want to recognize the Southern Columbia High School and Dallas High School football teams. Southern Columbia football team won the Pennsylvania 2A High School Championship - their seventh consecutive title. Congratulations on such an amazing achievement.

Dallas High School football took an undefeated season into the State Championship game. Unfortunately, they came up short in the title game, but that does not detract from their amazing season—much to be proud of and appreciate in a great Dallas football program.

Lastly, we had two very well-attended Christmas parties, one in Pottsville and the other in Dallas. Pictures below. Thanks to my (and your) great staff for putting on such a holiday appreciation party for our constituents. To receive an invitation for next year, send us an email by clicking here. Merry Christmas season to all! The first pictures are of our great team in Pottsville.

Below is a picture of Shelley and I with Johnny Kropa and Santa Claus.

Below is a picture with Bradford County GOP Chair Dick Harris, Commissioner Doug McLinko, and Eric Matthews.

Thanks as always to Brenda Pugh and Alan Pugh (AKA St. Nick) for running a beautiful tree lighting in Dallas Saturday night! Merry Christmas!

We look forward to catching up with you next week. God Bless, and see you soon,

Dan Meuser
https://www.meuserforcongress.com/