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Proud to Fight for Small Businesses & Farmers

February 3, 2021
Blog Post

As appeared in the February 3, 2021 edition of the Ephrata Review, Elizabethtown Advocate, and the Lititz Review

During each two-year session of Congress, much of the legislative work is accomplished in one of twenty standing committees which have specialized jurisdiction to review and advance legislation. As I begin my third term in the House of Representatives, I have been appointed to serve on the House Committee on Ways and Means, which has broad jurisdiction over taxation and trade.

First established in 1789, the Committee derives a large share of its jurisdiction from Article I, Section VII of the U.S. Constitution which declares, "All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives." Noted Lancastrian and Member of Congress, Thaddeus Stevens served as Chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means for the 37th and 38th Congresses from 1861-1865.

I consider it an honor to be selected by my colleagues to serve on the House Committee on Ways and Means. As a small business owner, I know first-hand how taxation and government regulation impacts the nearly 13,000 small businesses in Lancaster and York counties. I will work to advocate for a tax code that allows small businesses to thrive, creating new family-sustaining jobs and opportunity across our nation.

Representing the top congressional district in Pennsylvania for agricultural production, our community is known as "the Garden Spot of America." I will fight to support our farmers in our nation's trade policy. The United States – Mexico – Canada Agreement (USMCA) was a big win for our local dairy farmers and manufacturers. I will continue to champion free and fair trade as a member of this committee.

As our economy continues to recover from the damage brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, which was exacerbated by unilateral business shutdown orders from Gov. Tom Wolf, I am concerned that President Biden's Administration and their pursuit of tax-hikes and a vastly expanded regulatory regime will hamper our economic comeback. I support policies which will increase economic opportunity and competitiveness, not kill it. I look forward to serving as a voice for the taxpayers, small businesses, manufacturers, and farmers as a member of the Committee on Ways and Means.