Good afternoon, and welcome to our Weekend Update.

On Monday, Columbus Day, a new dawn has risen in the Middle East.

This historic moment marks the safe return of 20 hostages who were finally reunited with their families after more than two years in captivity.

I commend President Donald J. Trump, Secretary Rubio, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and everyone who had a hand in making this landmark agreement possible. Click here or below to watch President Trump’s remarks to the Knesset in Jerusalem.

They are delivering results at home and abroad, most recently with the release of all 20 Israeli hostages through a historic peace deal between Israel and Hamas, brokered by President Trump. Click here or below to watch our video.

Tuesday would have been Charlie Kirk’s 32nd birthday.

In his memory and honor, both the House and Senate have passed a resolution establishing October 14 as a National Day of Remembrance for Charlie Kirk.

Charlie was a tireless advocate for free speech, open dialogue, and the American values that make our nation strong.

We must carry forward his legacy by engaging in spirited, respectful discourse and by standing firm in defense of the principles that define our great country.

In addition, Charlie Kirk was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Trump.

As the saying goes, “It’s not the years in a life, but the life in the years.” And man, did Charlie live. He was fierce in conviction, yet humble in spirit.

He proclaimed boldly and lived humbly, first as a Christian, then as a husband, a father, and an American.

Let us continue to carry the torch he lit and honor him by living out the truth he so fearlessly stood for. Click here or below to watch the President’s remarks.

Vigils were held across the country, including throughout Pennsylvania’s 9th Congressional District, to honor Charlie Kirk on his heavenly birthday. I had the privilege of attending two, one in Luzerne County and another in Susquehanna County, where communities came together in a powerful display of faith and unity to remember a man whose influence continues to inspire countless Americans.

We were joined by many young people yesterday, and in Susquehanna County, I was especially pleased to see Chase Poplawski, someone who’s been a member of my team as an intern, speak with such passion and purpose. I do not doubt that he, along with so many other young leaders, will carry on Charlie’s legacy with strength and conviction.

In a fitting tribute, President Trump posthumously awarded Charlie Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom, recognizing his unwavering devotion to God, country, and the next generation of conservative leaders. Charlie’s legacy reminds us all to stand firm in our faith, speak boldly for our values, and never lose sight of the mission to make this country stronger for the generations to come.

Wednesday marked the 15^th day of the Schumer Shutdown. The U.S. Senate Democrats voted for the 9th time to keep the government closed and put politics before their constituents.

House Republicans did our job back in September by passing a clean CR to keep the government open and working for the American people.

Now, the Schumer Shutdown is hurting Pennsylvania families, costing the state $523 million each week, will disrupt SNAP benefits after 30 days, and is putting jobs & livelihoods at risk across our Commonwealth. See the chart below.

On Thursday, I joined Dagan McDowell on "The Bottom Line" on Fox Business to discuss U.S. actions to protect Americans from Venezuela’s narco-terrorist regime.

Nicolás Maduro has destroyed his country and turned it into a hub for drug trafficking and criminal cartels. Every year, more than 100,000 Americans lose their lives to illegal drugs, like those coming from Venezuela, including over 4,000 in Pennsylvania.

President Trump is sending a clear message to Maduro and his narco-terrorist regime: you can destroy your country, but we won’t let you continue to destroy ours. Click here or below to watch.

Because of Democrats’ irrational demands for healthcare for illegal immigrants, gutting the BBB, and spending another $1.4 trillion of taxpayer money, our government remains shut down after 17 days. They’ve now voted ten times against keeping the government open and our federal workers paid, showing exactly where their priorities lie.

Instead of working to reopen the government, Democrats are doubling down on their anti-American agenda with events like the “No Kings” protests planned for Saturday.

But while the left tries to hold us back and stall progress, President Trump continues moving forward, and so will we. I joined "Wake Up America" on Newsmax to discuss. Click here or below to watch.

On Friday morning, I joined Varney & Co. on Fox Business.

Far-left activist groups drive the Democrat party’s agenda, going as far as to keep the government shut down to appease them. That’s why Schumer is marching in the No Kings protest this weekend.

Democrats believe the only way they can slow down the success of the Trump administration is to shut down the government.

Despite the shutdown, President Trump continues delivering for the American people, making peace deals abroad, and lowering drug prices at home. Democrats are more afraid of their radical base than they are committed to governing. Click here or below to watch.

My recent interview with Chuck Volpe on Fox56’s  “The Volpe Report” aired this week. We discussed some of the most pressing topics of the day, including the ongoing government shutdown, its impact on hardworking American taxpayers, and how Democrats are holding our government hostage with their nonsensical demands. Click here or below to watch.

IN NEWS YOU WON’T HEAR IN THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA: Senator John Fetterman tells the truth about the Democrat government shutdown.

For weeks, Democrats have been claiming that Republicans are to blame for both the government shutdown and for potentially higher Obamacare premiums.

On Wednesday evening, one of their own admitted what even some in the legacy media have admitted: Democrats’ narrative is a lie.

In a NewsNation town hall, Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman ripped his own party, admitting that “Shutting down the government is really what the Democratic Party wants to do.” He also admitted that Obamacare subsidies were designed by Democrats to expire.

 Fetterman: “That’s why shutting the government is really what the Democratic Party wants to do … It’s the wrong thing for the country in a period of chaos. I refuse to vote to shut our government down … I would love to have a conversation about extending the tax credits for healthcare. Absolutely. But I would remind everybody, too: this was designed by the Democratic Party to expire at the end of the year. This is not something taken from, by the Republicans. They were designed to expire.”

Just as embarrassing for Democrat leaders Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries, as their shutdown drags into its 16^th day – which, according to Schumer, “every day gets better for us” – it’s doing nothing to shore up their miserable support from their base:

• Schumer just posted his worst fundraising quarter in years, raising just $133,000 as he faces a looming primary challenge from AOC.
  
  
• More than 20 House Democrat candidates said they won’t back Jeffries to be their leader next year, according to a new report from Axios. 

Democrats want the government to be shut down, and they are responsible for the expiration of Obamacare subsidies. That’s not a Republican talking point. Those are the facts.

Appropriately, on Columbus Day, we marked the 250th anniversary of the founding of the Navy.  On that day, 250 years ago, in Philadelphia, the Continental Congress took a historic step that would shape the future of our nation — establishing what would become the United States Navy.

Predating American independence, this bold decision was driven by the vision of patriots like John Adams and the determination of colonies like Rhode Island, who understood that the defense of liberty required command of the seas.

From those first two modest vessels to today’s global fleet, the United States Navy continues to exemplify the same courage, discipline, and commitment to freedom that marked its founding in Pennsylvania.

Happy Birthday to the United States Navy — forged in Philadelphia, defending freedom around the world.

I had the pleasure of joining the Sullivan County GOP for their annual dinner. It was a great evening celebrating the dedicated patriots who keep our party and our region strong.

Thank you to Chairman Don Cicero for his leadership and for hosting a fantastic event. I was also glad to be joined by Representative Joe Hamm, a true champion for the people of Sullivan County. Events like this remind us of the importance of service, unity, and working together to build a stronger future for our Commonwealth.

President Trump, working alongside Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, and other Middle Eastern allies, secured a historic peace deal between Israel and Hamas.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, Senate Democrats voted for the tenth time to keep the government shut down, forcing roughly 100,000 federal workers in Pennsylvania to go without pay.

House Republicans did our job by passing a clean CR, and we’ll keep fighting for our constituents by advancing President Donald Trump’s America First agenda that will lower costs, create opportunity, and deliver results for the American people. I joined "The Bob Cordaro Show" on WILK FM to discuss. Click here or below to watch.

Recently, news reports regarding the USDA's announcement that it will halt November SNAP payments have been published. In a Fox43 article, Governor Josh Shapiro's administration wrongly blamed congressional Republicans.

Yesterday, activists held rallies across the nation as part of a "No Kings" rally. While everyone has the freedom to express their opinions and to exercise their First Amendment rights, I think it is important to understand who is financially supporting these actions, including the Communist Party of America.

I want to stress that not every person or group that participated in these rallies is necessarily funded by the Communist Party of America. However, the rally in Washington and many other major cities was sponsored by the Communist Party of America and Indivisible, which is known to be funded by George Soros. 

A recent article from the Lebanon Daily Times attempts to insinuate that I believe all groups were funded by the Communist Party of America or George Soros. That is not true. With that being said, it cannot be argued that the Communist Party of America, as well as the American Federation of Teachers, is sponsoring the rally in Washington, D.C. That fact alone should be alarming to all Americans.

Below is a piece from Fox News featuring Oklahoma U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin on "Saturday in America." Click here or below to watch.

While the left is not afraid to label all Trump supporters as fascists, when in reality, we are the antithesis of fascism. There are NO fascists within our Party. However, there are communists within the Democrat Party as they are about to elect one, Zohran Mamdani, as the mayor of New York City. Mamdani is endorsed by Democrat leaders. It is time to start being honest... maybe the media can turn a new leaf.

ELECTION UPDATE:

October 20th is the deadline to register to vote in this Fall’s Election. If you are not registered or would like to update your registration, it takes only a couple of minutes to complete online using the link below.

Maria Battista for Superior Court

Matt Wolford for Commonwealth Court

If you would like to request a mail-in ballot, please click on the link below.

May God continue to bless our nation. I look forward to seeing you soon,