Dear John,

I’ve spent this summer working hard to bring federal dollars to our area through investments in job training, education and veterans' health care in our district.

After a busy few months on the Appropriations Committee, I'm proud to announce that $14.5 million has just cleared an important hurdle on its way to NEPA through a seven-bill appropriations package. With its passage in the House on Thursday, this funding is one step closer to addressing the needs of NEPA workers and families.

The funding bill includes seven projects in Northeastern Pennsylvania that I advocated for. We're investing in things like workforce development hubs that will train our young people for the modern job market, and services for those struggling with mental health and substance abuse issues. These projects will also bring stormwater infrastructure improvements and funding to support our police and fire departments. 

We're one more step closer to bringing this money back to NEPA. I'll keep fighting as it moves to the U.S. Senate.

Many of our information infrastructure systems rely on older computer codes that few workers know, creating a shortage of skilled employees needed to address critical challenges. A lot of our government and financial systems rely on legacy codes that--despite being secure, effective and widely used--many schools and training academies no longer teach.

This problem has major, real-world consequences. The delays many Pennsylvanians faced in getting their unemployment insurance last year during the worst stages of the pandemic was in large part because of a shortage of skilled workers who knew how to prepare the commonwealth's systems for the surge in demand.

This week, I introduced the Grace Hopper Code for Us Act, which will fund grant programs that address the coding worker shortage by encouraging schools to teach widely used coding languages. 

By addressing this gap in the workforce, we can simultaneously get more people back to work in good-paying jobs, further our economic recovery and improving the critical infrastructure that our nation depends on.

On Tuesday, a select House committee made up of Democrats and Republicans began its investigation into the events on January 6. Members heard from Capitol and Metro DC Police officers who fought to protect and defend our democracy from violent extremism.

I was in the House chamber when rioters broke the police line and violently assaulted officers, some within an inch of their lives. They bravely defended me and my colleagues as we attempted to carry out our duty to certify the presidential election. 

These officers probably saved my life, along with countless others who were here at the Capitol that day. That dark day in our nation's history could have been a lot darker, if it wasn't for our Capitol and Metro DC Police Officers. 

We owe it to those brave men and women, and to all Americans, to understand what happened on January 6. As your Congressman, I'll do whatever it takes to ensure we get to the truth.

Be safe and well,