Lowering Costs, Progress in Restoring Passenger Rail Service to NEPA and more -- Matt's Weekly Memo

Lowering Food and Fuel Costs

Dear John,

On Thursday, I voted to pass H.R. 7606, the Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act. This package will help lower prices for American families in the grocery aisle and at the gas pump while strengthening the food supply chain and ensuring robust competition in the meat and poultry sector.

Learn more here

Progress in Restoring Passenger Rail Service to NEPA

This week, we moved yet another step closer to the reestablishment of passenger rail service from Scranton to New York City. Senator Bob Casey and I officially submitted our “Expression of Interest” letters to the Federal Railroad Administration, calling for a once-in-a-generation investment to bring back this vital rail infrastructure to Northeastern Pennsylvania.

On Wednesday, we joined Larry Malski, President of the Pennsylvania Northeast Regional Railroad Authority, to announce that more than 25 Representatives and Senators from Pennsylvania and New Jersey, along with local government officials and business and tourism leaders also pledged their support by signing on as a coalition of “Lackawanna Cut-Off Interested Parties.”

This coalition letter also lays out that the Pennsylvania Northeast Regional Railroad Authority, Lackawanna County, Monroe County, the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce and the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau have all committed to annual financial support for the operation of this restored passenger route.

Amtrak’s analysis of the corridor places the estimated economic impact from passenger service from New York City to Scranton at $87 million per year, and the development in the Poconos in anticipation of tourism from northern New Jersey and New York City is accelerating, with a recent billion-dollar announcement coming from the Margaritaville Resorts group for an expansive complex in Pocono Township, Pennsylvania.

Learn more here

Update on the Camp Lejeune Justice Act

This week, the U.S. Senate passed the Honoring Our PACT Act, which includes my bill, the Camp Lejeune Justice Act. This bipartisan legislation will ensure that our servicemembers and their families finally receive justice for their exposure to toxic chemicals in their drinking water.

We expect final passage of the bill to happen as early as next week, and we can’t wait to share this good news with all of you and with all of those who are suffering.

Learn more here

Scranton Small Business Grants

The City of Scranton is partnering with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the University of Scranton in awarding small business grants of up to $5,000 to those starting out. The CDBG Small Business Micro-Grant Program for new or early-stage businesses located in Scranton’s low-moderate-income demographic areas (LMA) will supply funds ranging from $2,500 to $5,000 per business through the 2022 year to assist with start-up costs, thus contributing to their initial success and continued revitalization of our community. Businesses must be in a qualifying Low-to-Moderate service area within the City of Scranton.

Learn more here

Be safe and well,

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