NationBuilder

On Friday, President Donald J. Trump delivered major news for Pennsylvania. He announced that he helped make the Nippon-U.S. Steel deal better for America, for Pennsylvania, and American steel. This deal directly results from President Trump's problem-solving, business-minded leadership. While it’s still conditional, we fully support and appreciate his critical review which will help ensure U.S. Steel remains strong.

We’re making U.S. Steel Great Again for Pennsylvania. We’re Making American-Made Steel Great Again for our country!

It was great to join "Varney & Co." on Fox Business to discuss President Trump’s bold economic agenda—ensuring fair trade with reciprocal tariffs, delivering tax relief for hardworking Americans, and prioritizing policies strengthening our economy. We’re focused on pro-growth solutions that put American families first. Click here or below to watch.

This week, I interviewed on “American Agenda” on Newsmax. We discussed DOGE’s efforts to identify wasteful spending at USAID and President Donald J. Trump's plan to restore peace and stability in Gaza. Click here or below to watch.

On Thursday, I led my first hearing as Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee Oversight & Investigations Subcommittee, exposing the Biden Administration’s Operation Choke Point 2.0—a coordinated effort to debank crypto firms through regulatory pressure. Federal regulators have no business picking winners and losers in our economy. Crypto businesses, their employees, and customers shouldn’t be targeted just because unelected bureaucrats disapprove of their industry. We’re holding them accountable and fighting for a fair financial system. Click here or below to watch my opening remarks of the hearing.

Later in the hearing, I pressed witnesses on how the Biden Administration’s Operation Choke Point 2.0 is just the latest version of the same playbook Obama used to debank industries he disfavored. The witnesses detailed how regulators didn’t issue formal bans but used vague threats, endless scrutiny, and regulatory pressure to force banks to cut off crypto firms. This is nothing new—it’s a deliberate abuse of power, and we need real solutions to ensure it never happens again. Calling it out isn’t enough. We must end these politically motivated backdoor efforts to control industries. Click here or below to watch.

I joined "Mornings with Maria" on Fox Business about the Biden administration’s Operation Choke Point 2.0. Click here or below to watch.

During my interview on "Mornings with Maria," I also discussed President Trump's comments laying out a vision of what could be for Gaza rather than what exists right now—a disaster. He sees the potential for peace and prosperity—a place people want to go to, not run from, a place they can live in, not be killed in. However, regional leaders must step up and be part of the solution. Click here or below to watch.

Check out my interview with Chris Stigall on Philadelphia's AM 990’s “The Answer.” We covered DOGE’s efforts to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse, particularly at USAID, which has seriously misused taxpayer dollars. We also discussed efforts to advance President Trump’s America-First Agenda through reconciliation. Click here or below to listen.

I recently joined Melissa Georgeoff on the "See the Unseen" podcast to share my career journey. We covered my two decades in the private sector helping grow a small business into a large business, my work as Pennsylvania’s Secretary of Revenue, and what I’m working on now in the U.S. House of Representatives. Check it out by clicking here or below.

After four years of excessive inflation, soaring energy prices, a death and destruction from an open border, and uncertainty for small businesses, President Trump’s America-First plan offers a clear path forward. Reducing regulations and restoring key provisions in the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act will strengthen our economy and reignite a renewed sense of optimism nationwide.

In conjunction with President Trump and his administration, my colleagues and I will continue to put American businesses first, ensuring a stronger economy and greater national security. Click here or below to watch me at a recent hearing.

Over the past four years, excessive regulations have weighed down community banks. At a Financial Services Committee hearing, I heard directly from community bankers about how rising compliance costs and red tape are making it harder to serve their customers. We must remove unnecessary regulations and eliminate burdensome rules so they can continue supporting the families, farmers, and small businesses that rely on them. Click here or below to watch.

The Protecting Energy Production Act ensures that no President can unilaterally ban fracking—safeguarding one of America’s most vital energy resources from being shut down by ideological policies.

The whole world is fracking, but we do it best and cleanest in Pennsylvania and throughout the United States. I urged my colleagues to support this legislation and vote for clean energy, which will strengthen American economic and national security. Click here or below to watch my remarks on the floor of the U.S. House.

Fentanyl is devastating communities across Pennsylvania, claiming a life every two hours. This week, I voted for the HALT Fentanyl Act, which permanently classifies fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs—ensuring law enforcement has the tools to go after traffickers. This legislation is an important step in addressing the opioid epidemic, which was exacerbated by the Biden Administration’s open border policies. Click here or below to read more.

On Tuesday, I attended the 2025 Financial Services Member Retreat, where I joined my Financial Services Committee Republican colleagues to discuss key priorities for the 119th Congress. We focused on CFPB reform, reining in regulatory overreach, easing banking restrictions to expand capital access—especially for small businesses—and advancing a unified Republican approach to crypto policy. These efforts will ensure House Republicans drive a transparent, accountable, and pro-growth financial agenda that aligns with President Donald J. Trump's America-First vision.

Secretary Bessent’s decision to pause CFPB activities is another step toward resetting the agency’s priorities. It’s time for the CFPB to refocus on its core mission: protecting consumers and fostering an innovative, competitive, and fair financial system. Financial Services Committee Republicans have scrutinized the agency’s excessive overreach over the past four years. This pause provides a much-needed opportunity to reassess and realign an increasingly unaccountable agency.

I spoke with newly sworn-in U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Chris Wright on Tuesday evening. He is very familiar with the Marcellus Shale region and understands the importance of Pennsylvania’s natural gas industry. He’s committed to visiting in the next couple of weeks to discuss how we can expand responsible production. Despite Governor Shapiro’s resistance and failed energy policies, Secretary Wright is ready to help us unlock Pennsylvania’s full energy potential.

I also want to congratulate Scott Turner, our newly confirmed U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development! In 2019, while serving as the Executive Director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council, Scott visited Tamaqua at my invitation for a roundtable discussion about President Trump’s Opportunity Zone initiative. He mentioned this productive visit during his Senate confirmation hearing.

I look forward to working with Scott to revitalize communities across Pennsylvania and build on President Trump’s record of success.

On Thursday, we recognized National Women and Girls in Sports Day and celebrated the achievements, dedication, and perseverance of female athletes nationwide.

When Title IX was enacted in 1972, it created opportunities for women and girls in athletics, ensuring fairness and equal competition. Yet the left’s failed ideological social experiment of allowing biological men to compete against women in athletics is disrupting the very fabric of what Title IX was designed to protect. My Republican colleagues and I will continue to fight to protect the safety and integrity of women and girls’ sports.

IN NEWS YOU WON’T HEAR IN THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA: For decades, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has been unaccountable to taxpayers as it funnels massive sums of money to the ridiculous — and, in many cases, malicious — pet projects of entrenched bureaucrats, with next-to-no oversight.

I joined “The Evening Edit” on Fox Business to discuss the abuse at USAID. Click here or below to watch.

The list goes on and on — and it has all happened for decades.

Under President Trump, the waste, fraud, and abuse ENDS NOW.

I had the opportunity to meet with Lycoming College President Dr. Kent Trachte and Executive Vice President Chip Edmonds to learn about recent developments and initiatives at the college. We explored ways Congress can further support independent institutions of higher education. Dr. Trachte also shared an insightful update on the Old City Revitalization Initiative, a project set to bring new housing, retail, and dining options to the area once completed.

It was a pleasure meeting with John Fiorill, National FOP Trustee for Pennsylvania, to discuss legislative initiatives that support law enforcement officers in the field and through their retirement. In Congress, I remain committed to helping those who put their lives on the line to ensure the safety and well-being of our communities across the Commonwealth.

Had a productive discussion with Gonzalo Luchetti, Head of U.S. Personal Banking at Citi, about expanding access to capital and ensuring all Americans have fair access to banking services. We also discussed how the American financial model can be promoted globally. This is essential to building a stronger financial system both here and abroad.

I had the opportunity to meet with Brian Alvaro and Dave Demas from Local 3003, which represents the correctional officers at United States Penitentiary Canaan. We discussed the challenges of contraband smuggling into federal prisons and the need to improve safety for officers working in these facilities. Throughout my tenure in Congress, I have been a vocal advocate for our corrections officers and will continue to be as they put themselves at risk serving our communities.

On Monday, I met with employees participating in a National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER) training program at the Schlouch Incorporated Training Center in Blandon. I heard firsthand about their training experience and spoke with the coaches who mentor them. We also discussed how they enhance safety, quality, and productivity, further strengthening Schlouch’s role as an industry leader in construction.

I visited Governor Mifflin High School in Berks County to see their Total Experience Learning Classroom firsthand and hear directly from the students in the program. This hands-on, student-led approach—developed through Alvernia University’s award-winning Total Experience Learning framework—equips students with the skills to think independently and tackle real-world challenges. As the school puts it, they’re learning how to think, not what to think—exactly the kind of education that prepares them for success.

I want to thank Barry Schlouch for helping to arrange the events at his training center and Governor Mifflin High School. I always enjoy being with him and his wife Deb. It is always a worthwhile and great experience.

Later, I met with the leadership and students at Tec Centro Berks, where the Berks Latino Workforce Development Corporation is creating pathways to success for the Latino community in Berks County. Their programs provide education, skills training, and new career opportunities that make a real difference. It was great to speak with students about how these initiatives are opening doors and strengthening the local job market.

On Friday night, Shelley and I attended the PA GOP Lincoln Day Dinner, where many great Republican leaders came together to thank Chairman Lawrence Tabas for his service and leadership to the party. The guest speaker was our great RNC Chair Michael Whatley. At their meeting on Saturday morning, my friend, Senator Greg Rothman, was elected the new Chairman of the Pennsylvania GOP, along with Vice Chair Bernie Comfort. Congratulations to them and their team as they transition to lead our party forward, securing many more victories for the Republican Party.

Finally, Super Bowl LIV will take place later this evening. President Trump will be there. I am looking forward to a great game and a Philadelphia Eagles victory!

My son is going to Philadelphia to join in the victory celebration. I told him if I see him on top of a traffic light, don’t come back… Certainly, I was only kidding, but Go Birds! Fly Eagles Fly!