The Good, The Bad,

The Local

The Good

Mass Timber Innovation Act: I recently introduced the bipartisan Mass Timber Growth and Innovation Act, which is legislation to provide targeted incentives to expand domestic production of mass timber. This innovative wood building material helps builders construct homes faster and at a lower cost. The northern tier of Pennsylvania has been a leader in timber production, and this important industry has done its part to drive local economies for generations. I am pleased to lead this commonsense bill that will strengthen the forest products industry by helping manufacturers build new plants and by rewarding research that brings costs down for all Americans.

Bridge Grades: I am honored to receive an “A” from Bridge Grades in recognition of my efforts to always reach across the aisle. I believe in bringing everyone to the table and remain encouraged by the good bipartisan work that is still possible in Congress. Bridge Grades is an objective, non-partisan group that uses third party data to compile grades for Members of Congress. These grades demonstrate a member’s commitment to collaboration and bipartisanship. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for the remainder of the year on our shared priorities.

The Bad

Ghost Fraud: The Department of Justice uncovered more than 830,000 potentially fraudulent student aid accounts that used stolen or counterfeit identities to collect millions in taxpayer-funded loans and grants. These fraudsters used Americans’ identities to pose as students, applied for and extracted federal financial aid, and then vanished with the funds. For too long, hardworking Americans have been forced to foot the bill for these bad actors. Earlier this year, I was pleased that my legislation, the Student Aid Fraud Oversight and Accountability Act, was included in a package that passed out of the House in June. This legislation would establish strong safeguards to prevent student aid fraud. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate to get this legislation across the finish line and signed into law in order to protect taxpayer money and ensure deserving Americans continue to have access to college classrooms.

The Local

Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce: It was a pleasure to spend the morning with members of the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce to hear firsthand about developments in the region and discuss my work in Congress. These members, many of whom are small business owners, are committed to keeping our community strong and ensuring the area remains a place where people love to work and live. For more than 100 years, the Chamber has provided resources for members of Lycoming County and supported local economies. I applaud Jason Fink, President and CEO of the Chamber, for his leadership and for helping our businesses and workforce in the region succeed. I look forward to learning more about the Chamber’s accomplishments in the future.