Dear John,

As your Congressman, one of the most impactful things I can do for our area is bring back federal dollars to invest in ourselves and our communities. And as a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, I've been hard at work this summer making sure we get our fair share.

This week, I was proud to announce that the Appropriations Committee approved $11.1 million in funding for six projects in NEPA that I requested.

This money will help get new equipment for our local law enforcement, invest in NEPA's next generation of workers and provide resources for people struggling with substance abuse issues.

This funding has already made it through the full Appropriations Committee, but there's still more work to do. I'll keep fighting to pass it through the House, the Senate and get it signed into law, because these investments would make a positive impact in our region for years to come.

Over the years, I have been a strong advocate of the Children's Service Center of Wyoming Valley (CSC) in Wilkes-Barre.

That's why I was proud to announce that CSC has received a $3.8 million first-time grant award to expand their services for children struggling with mental illness and substance abuse disorders.

This funding brings over 60 new jobs to the area, which will help the Center continue their important work as a one-stop-shop for integrated care for more than 10,000 children and adults in Luzerne and Wyoming counties. 

After a year in which so many parents and children faced greater education, housing and food security challenges, I want to make sure our families receive the help they need. 

Beginning on July 15 and running through December, advance payments of the Child Tax Credit will hit the bank accounts of hardworking parents and caretakers each month. This tax relief from the American Rescue Plan we passed earlier this year is not just going to help families recover from a tough year, it will also boost our economy by putting money directly into people's pockets.

An estimated 90 percent of children in our district are eligible to benefit from the expanded and improved Child Tax Credit--that's 126,100 children, according to data compiled by Co-Equal. When parents can afford the cost of child care, they can go back to work. And when parents can go back to work knowing their kids are in good hands, our entire community benefits.

If you're unsure about whether you qualify or how to get your advance payments, click HERE to visit my website.

I spoke with WBRE about how this tax relief is going to help NEPA families. Check out my interview below.

Be safe and well,