The Good

Brews to Barns Act: American brewers generate nearly five million metric tons of spent grain each year, and many of them donate this by-product to local farmers and ranchers. To incentivize this relationship between agriculture and small businesses, I recently introduced bipartisan legislation that would establish an excise tax credit for brewers who donate their spent grain for local agricultural use. The Brews to Barns Act will help reduce input costs for our country’s producers, support small businesses, and strengthen local economies. I’m pleased to lead this legislation to provide relief to small breweries and farms across Pennsylvania. 

DuBois Center for Innovation: The U.S. Department of Commerce recently announced its intention to award Penn State $39.9 million to establish the DuBois Center for Innovation. This new regional manufacturing facility will provide opportunities for the state’s workforce, grow the region’s manufacturing economy, and repurpose the Penn State DuBois Campus. This hub will support our country’s economy and national security initiatives while presenting opportunities for Pennsylvania businesses. I was pleased to work with Secretary Lutnick to secure the funding and look forward to the success of this new facility.

The Bad

Restoring Highway Safety: Traffic incident responders put their lives on the line every day to respond to emergency situations and help save lives. Unfortunately, every year, countless personnel are tragically struck by motor vehicles. This year, multiple first responders in Pennsylvania were killed due to reckless driving practices, including State Trooper Michael Pahira Jr., who was struck by a driver with an illegal CDL. November 2- 6, 2026, is National Crash Responder Safety Week, an opportunity to promote roadway safety and encourage the public to follow safe driving practices. I am pleased with the ongoing efforts of the Administration to apprehend drivers who hold illegal CDLs. This national oversight has restored integrity to the commercial trucking industry and made our roadways safer. Remember, slowing down and moving over can save lives.

The Local

Lycoming Engines: It was a pleasure to tour the Lycoming Engines facility recently and see firsthand how their piston aircraft engines are manufactured. The company has had a direct hand in the success of American aviation since 1929, when they first developed a nine-cylinder, 200-horsepower radial piston engine. For decades, this group and its world-class products have supported our country’s aviation industry and pioneered new technologies. As a senior member of the House Education and Workforce Committee, I was proud to see the continued investment of Lycoming Engines in the local workforce. The company’s longstanding partnership with Penn College provides real-world learning opportunities for students. I thank Lycoming Engines and its dedicated staff for their commitment to American aviation.