Good afternoon, and welcome to our Weekend Update.

I am very grateful to President Donald Trump, who has always been generous, for the invitation to join him and others at the inaugural dinner in the Rose Garden Club on Friday evening.

(Pictured below with President Trump, Speaker Mike Johnson, and our U.S. Senator Dave McCormick)

(My colleague Congressman GT Thompson and I pictured with Vice President JD Vance)

(Pictured below with White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles. Susie is doing an amazing job in her role, and already is one of the best to do it.)

(Pictured with White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Homeland Security Advisor Stephen Miller. I have great respect for the service he does for our country)

The Left’s obsession with attacking President Trump has gone too far—it’s reckless, it fuels hostility in the streets, and it distracts from the real challenges we face. Instead of tearing down our President, we should be working together to strengthen our nation.

That’s exactly what House Republicans are focused on—responsibly funding the government to keep it open and working for the American people. While many Democrats waste time with toxic rhetoric, we’re committed to solutions that put the country first.

Check out my Newsmax interview on this topic by clicking here or below.

In 2025, too many families and small businesses in my district still lack reliable broadband. Despite $1.5 billion sent to Pennsylvania over the last three years, there’s been zero improvement.

At a recent House Committee on Small Business hearing, I highlighted how loose rules and misallocated funds leave rural communities behind. We need to ensure federal dollars actually connect people—by prioritizing fiber, working with local cooperatives, and cutting through permitting delays.

Rural America and Rural Small Businesses deserve results. Click here or below to watch.

It was great to join the South-Central Pennsylvania Regional Chambers of Commerce Alliance at the Capitol for a productive discussion on policies that will strengthen our communities and grow our economy.

The South-Central Chamber Alliance — including Lebanon, Harrisburg, York, Lancaster, and Reading — represents two million Pennsylvanians and accounts for $121.6 billion of our Commonwealth’s GDP. Their leadership and insight are vital as we work together to advance pro-growth policies that support small businesses, create jobs, and expand opportunity across the region.

On the House Floor, I shared the story of Smarty Jones—one of the greatest horses ever bred in Pennsylvania.

From the fields of Chester County to the winner’s circle at the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, Smarty Jones captured the imagination of fans across the country. In 2004, he came within a single length of winning the Triple Crown, showing the world that champions can come from right here in our Commonwealth.

This year, Smarty Jones was inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame, only the fourth Pennsylvania-bred horse to receive that distinction. Thanks to Rodney and Sharon Eckenrode, he continues to stand at Equistar Training and Breeding Center in Lebanon County, where his legacy carries on.

Smarty’s story is a reminder that when you’re Pennsylvania-bred, you’re built to run with the best. Click here or below to watch my remarks.

President Trump and House Republicans delivered on the promise to eliminate the Tax on Tips through the Working Family Tax Cuts (OBBB). This is a real win for working families. By ending tax on tips, we’re letting hardworking Americans keep more of what they earn—and strengthening our local economies in the process.

Under this new policy, up to $25,000 of tips per year will no longer be taxed, giving workers across Pennsylvania and the nation long-overdue relief.

The White House has now released the official list of occupations that qualify for No Tax on Tips. That list can be found in the graphic below:

I met with Comptroller of the Currency Jonathan Gould, who plays a central role in ensuring the strength and stability of our nation’s financial system.

We discussed the importance of a regulatory environment that encourages lending, prevents fraud, and promotes American financial leadership.

Comptroller Gould is the right leader at the OCC to refocus it on unlocking capital that too often sits on the sidelines. Increasing access to capital for the private sector, where it can fuel growth, innovation, and job creation, is beneficial for small businesses across the Commonwealth.

IN NEWS YOU WON'T HEAR IN THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA: Winning Streak: Record-Breaking Tariffs, Border Security, and Safer Cities

President Trump’s America First agenda is delivering historic results at an unprecedented pace. From shattering tariff revenue records to securing the border and revitalizing our nation’s capital, the Trump Administration is proving that bold leadership gets real results.

Here are a few of the latest victories for the American people you may have missed:

💼 New data shows President Trump’s return-to-office order worked

President Trump’s order that federal workers return to the office five days a week is working, Axios reports, with federal employees now “twice as likely to work in-office as employees overall nationwide.” In fact, the percentage of federal employees working in the office increased nearly 30 points in the second quarter of the year — a significant boost for local economies that rely on in-person foot traffic and for the overall cohesion of the federal workforce.

🔙 “Reverse flow” of migration to the U.S.

More would-be illegal immigrants are turning around rather than making the perilous journey to our southern border. At the same time, the number of unaccompanied migrant children attempting to enter the country — often at the hands of criminal smugglers — has dramatically declined. In fact, northward migration from Central American countries is down 97% this year, while unaccompanied migrant crossings are down 93% over last year.

After years of Democrat-induced open borders making the U.S. a magnet for dangerous, unchecked migration, it’s yet another sign that President Trump’s unprecedented border security effort is working.

🤝 D.C. Mayor partners with Trump Administration

Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced a continued partnership with the Trump Administration to Make D.C. Safe Again, following the unprecedented success in cracking down on crime in the nation’s capital — establishing a model for other Democrat politicians in some of the nation’s most violent cities to follow.

On Labor Day, I went to the annual Festa Italiano in Scranton, and it’s always a fantastic experience. Great people, Italian music, and definitely the best Italian food in the world… And plenty of it.

Had a great time at the Wyoming County fair today. Thanks to Chairman Davis Haire and all the patriotic Wyoming County Republicans for their tireless efforts.

Yesterday, we attended the PA GOP & GT Boots & Buckles Event in Lebanon County. The event was held at Equistar Farm, owned by Rodney and Sharon Eckenrode. Many great friends from the agricultural community joined us. Congressman GT Thompson and PAGOP Chair Greg Rothman were in attendance... along with the star of the show, legendary horse, Smarty Jones.

Of all the people (and horses) I was able to visit, it was a highlight of my day to run into our great friend Charlie Gerow. Charlie is a committed Republican and has been a source of encouragement and counsel throughout my public service. 

After that event, we stopped by an event in support of Lebanon County District Attorney Pier Hess. Pier is a dedicated public servant who is on the frontline of keeping Lebanon County safe. 

Later, I traveled to Luzerne County for the fair. Shelley and I met up with State Rep. Brenda Pugh and visited the many great exhibits and vendors. We also had the opportunity to meet with our great friend Scott Pressler, who is doing tireless work to register Republican voters throughout Pennsylvania. Scott is a fighter and a champion for President Trump and the GOP in Pennsylvania.