Dear John,

Nearly ten years ago, a young correctional officer named Eric Williams was supervising 125 inmates alone at USP Canaan in Wayne County when he was stabbed to death by an inmate. That evening his parents, Don and Jean, got the phone call that no parent should ever receive.

"Eric was working all alone in a housing unit of high security inmates when he was killed," Don Williams said. "Had there been a second officer on hand, the outcome may have been very different.” 

At a press conference held earlier today, I announced more than $180 million in federal funding for the recruitment and hiring of federal corrections officers at USP Canaan and all federal prisons across the country. 

Don and Jean Williams were both in attendance.

This much-needed financial support will provide robust federal investment in the safety of our federal prisons and the brave correction officers who go to work in them every day.

You can read my entire announcement here. 

I’m honored to have played a role in securing this funding as Chair of the Commerce Justice and Science Subcommittee. 

Every day across our country, brave officers walk through the doors of correctional facilities to do their jobs and provide for their families.

And they deserve to go home to their loved ones at the end of every shift.

Congressman Dan Meuser and I will be on hand at WVIA studios for our rescheduled television town hall on Sunday, January 29th, starting at noon.

We hope you can join us for Keystone Edition's "Meet Your Congressman" as a member of the live studio audience where you'll be able to ask us questions and offer your comments.

To reserve your free seats for this interactive event, click here. As a reminder, if you had tickets to the event originally scheduled for Jan. 8th, you'll need to re-register for the new date. 

The final deadline for Pennsylvanians to enroll in 2023 health coverage through Pennie is this Sunday, Jan. 15.

Those who enroll by Jan. 15 will have coverage beginning Feb. 1.

Pennie is Pennsylvania’s official online health insurance marketplace. It provides qualified customers with savings on their monthly coverage costs, and nine out of 10 customers qualify.

Through the American Rescue Plan and the Inflation Reduction Act, I voted to expand important tax credits to reduce monthly health-care premiums for thousands in our district. As a result, NEPA families can save an average of $800 per year and $2,400 per family.

I encourage everyone – including those already enrolled in ACA coverage – to log onto the Pennsylvania exchange to make sure you've signed up for a plan that best serves your family's needs.

If you're interested in enrolling, you can learn more here or by calling Pennie customer service at 1-844-844-8040.

Be safe and well,