John --

Good morning and welcome to our Week-End Update.

This was a busy week in Washington as we again voted on legislation to support employees and small business owners recover as we continue the work of reopening our economy in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

First, we passed a bill, the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act, which gives small businesses more time to use PPP loans and addresses concerns around loan forgiveness. The bill extends the length of time businesses have to use the loans from 8 weeks to 24 weeks and pushes back the deadline to rehire workers. This new legislation, which still needs to pass in the U.S. Senate, is prospective for new loans. If passed and signed into law, those with current PPP loans can reapply under the new loan provisions. With many businesses still shutdown and the prospect of reopening potentially weeks away, these changes were necessary to continue to support these hardworking Pennsylvanians.

In related news, this week, I introduced the Coronavirus Swindlers, Crooks, and Manipulators (SCAM) Act, a bipartisan effort to crack down on the rising number of scams during the coronavirus pandemic. Some of the most common offenses have included phishing emails targeted at seniors and their recovery checks, websites selling fake masks, and deliberate misinformation regarding CDC guidance. The SCAM Act would heighten the penalties for those committing these crimes during the coronavirus pandemic.

Since the coronavirus pandemic began, there has been an unfortunate rise in the number of scams aimed at taking advantage of hardworking Americans and seniors.  For example, the FTC has reported more than 50,000 scams totaling $38.6 million dollars and the IRS has investigated 15,000 false websites since economic impact payments began. These fraudulent schemes are always shameful, but scammers using this time of crisis to take advantage of vulnerable individuals is absolutely reprehensible. The SCAM Act warns that these scammers engaging in deceitful activities will pay a steep price.

In our efforts to keep people throughout the 9^th District informed on the latest activities in Washington and important topics, I conducted a series of interviews with RJ Harris on WHP 580, the David Webb Show on SiriusXM Patriot, WPPA Pottsville and conducted an interview for the Trump Campaign with Tim Murtaugh which can be viewed by clicking here or on the picture below.

Over the past week, I participated in the Carbon County Strong Day with State Representative Doyle Heffley and Executive Director of the Carbon Chamber of Economic Development Corporation, Marlyn Kissner, to celebrate Carbon County Strong Day. Small businesses are the backbone of our communities. Carbon County Strong Day was a celebration of their resiliency over the past several months and a reminder for all of us to support them.

In the District, I participated in the Tamaqua Memorial Day ceremony with American Legion Post 73, which included a 21-gun salute, taps and wreath-laying.

Later, I attended a Port Carbon Memorial Day tribute at the Vietnam War home association, where I am a member. This Memorial Day tribute is usually packed with people. Even though different this year, Patriotism throughout the Pa-9 was never stronger. Pictured with member veterans and founding member Joe Kuperavage.

That evening, Shelley and I took a ride out to Harvey's Lake, stopped by Rick and Charlottes, met up with Bikers for Trump Tom Lantz and his All-American Harley. We talked about Freedom and the great Americans who sacrificed it all for us. It was a great Memorial Day.

In News You Won’t Read In The Mainstream Media: Congress was back in session for the first time with the new proxy voting rules in place.  

• 70 - The number of Democratic Congressional members who had another member vote for them.
• 0 - The number of Republican Congressional members who had another member vote for them.
• 0 - The number of times I will ever vote by proxy. I take my role to serve the 9^th Congressional District seriously and you can ALWAYS count on me to show up and make sure you are being represented in person at the U.S. Capitol.

On Tuesday, House Republicans filed a lawsuit to block the practice of remote voting. As I have explained before, Article 1, Section 5 of the U.S. Constitution states that a quorum is necessary for House business to be conducted. I believe the House resolution is unconstitutional, and we are contesting that in court.

Election Update: Reminder, this Tuesday, June 2nd, is Primary Election Day and polls are open from 7 am-8 pm. Please vote. Our nation is facing unprecedented times and we have a critical election approaching in November. I humbly ask for your support of President Trump and myself. We must reelect President Trump and win back control of the U.S. House of Representatives. While I am unopposed in the Primary Election, I truly appreciate your support.

If you need yard signs for polling places or have questions related to the election, please feel free to contact our Field Campaign Manager Rob Bresnahan at [email protected].

Additionally, to find your polling place, please click here. NOTE: Many polling locations have changed or been consolidated as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

I hope you are having a great weekend, stay safe and we will see you soon.

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