We covered a lot of ground while I was home in Chester and Berks counties this past week, and I wanted to share some highlights with you. Truly, I'm so thrilled to be back in full swing as I travel around our district. Last week's events were an important reminder - I am best able to represent all of us when I hear directly from you.

So much is happening in our community! If you don't have time to read this update in full, here's the takeaway: I am hyper-focused on rebuilding our economy in a way that leaves no one behind, focusing on our small businesses and working families. I’ll continue to voice our concerns and priorities when I'm down in Washington on our behalf. Thank you again for the honor of representing you.

Crisscrossing Our District

Hosting an In-Person Town Hall to Discuss Building Back Better

Securing Millions for Our Local Small Venues

What We're Working On

Sharing the Benefits of the Child Tax Credit

In our community alone alone, 71.8% of children will gain from the expanded and improved Child Tax Credit that already hit bank accounts this week. That's huge! To talk about this critical resource for PA families, we were joined by Loraine Disciullo (Brandywine Valley YMCA), Michelle Legaspi Sanchez (The Fund for Women and Girls), and Elyssa Schmier (MomsRising).

Listen to our full conversation on Youtube here.

Investing in our kids is investing in our country’s future. That’s why I fought to get the child tax credit across the finish line and signed into law. Let’s be clear – this middle class tax cut for working families will provide them economic opportunities and choices that may not have otherwise been available. This money will go a long way towards empowering both kids and their parents to have their shot at the American dream.

Visit the White House's website to learn how your family might benefit.

Every Pennsylvanian deserves access to efficient and reliable transportation options to commute to work, get to school, and remain connected. In our community, highways, roads, rail, and buses provide access to job markets and opportunities within my district, in Philadelphia and across Southeastern Pennsylvania. 

Working families and small businesses in our district rely on our transportation network to support their livelihoods and operations. Unfortunately, the Commonwealth and our nation have fallen behind in terms of needed transportation and infrastructure investments, which negatively impacts our community.

So here's what has to happen: Congress owes the American people a long overdue infrastrucure package - one that brings good-paying jobs to Chester and Berks Counties. I've been working with the Problem Solvers Caucus in the House and my counterparts in the Senate to broker this deal, get it through Congress, and on to the President's desk for signature. 

This week, I had the privilege of joining President Biden at the National Consitution Center where he spoke directly to the American people from the very birthplace of our democracy - Philadelphia. Joining me were Michael Toledo, President & CEO, Centro Hispano, Rev. Kyle Boyer, West Chester NAACP former president and educator, Marian D. Moskowitz, Chair, Board of Commissioners’ County of Chester, and Mayor Peter J. Urscheler, Borough of Phoenixville.

The right to vote is sacrosanct. I served this country in the Air Force and now in Congress because I believe in the majesty of our Constitution, in the fundamental tenet of our democracy – every eligible American has the right to make their voice heard at the ballot box. President Biden did not mince words this week. Every elected official has the responsibility to defend every American's right to vote. 

I want to be clear with the people of Pennsylvania – politicization of voting rights is antithetical and dangerous to our democracy. Anyone who has served this country knows that the right to vote cannot be taken for granted – and I will stand on the frontlines defending every American’s right to the ballot box and to protect the security of our elections. To do anything less would be a betrayal of my oath of office.

Delivering for Our Community: Constituent Services

Helping Constituents Expedite Their Passports

As I mentioned in one of my recent e-newsletter updates, our office has seen a substantial increase in passport-related inquires. Let me assure you, I'm already working with Democrats and Republicans to fix this problem. Online, we added a U.S. Passport Services webpage to address your concerns and also encourage you to call our office. Below you'll find testimony from Robert in Avondale who we were able to assist!