It’s often said that World War II was won right here in the Lehigh Valley — thanks to the fearless work of Pennsylvania’s men and women who produced the steel that transported and protected Allied troops around the world.

Amidst a global pandemic that has impacted all of our local businesses and workers, I am reminded of that same grit, determination, and hard work that helped bring us through crises before. Now is the time to protect our workers, support our small business community, and strengthen our economy to ensure we recover from this crisis together.

I’m 100% dedicated to stabilizing our economy by lowering costs and bringing high-paying jobs to our district. Here’s my plan:

• Lowering costs and fighting inflation. Since day one, my top priority in Congress has been cutting costs for hard working Pennsylvanians. That’s why I successfully fought to make health insurance for the whole family more affordable, and why I was proud to support capping the price of insulin at $35 a month. We also have to bring back manufacturing jobs and secure our supply chains so that we aren’t dependent on foreign nations for our everyday needs. In Congress, I have introduced legislation that will make sure our supply chains are strong, stable, and secure while strengthening the U.S. economy, lowering inflation, and protecting our national security. My bipartisan bill, the Supply Chain Security and Resilience Act, would create a comprehensive federal government approach to analyzing and responding to supply chain vulnerabilities before they become a crisis.

• Defend, strengthen, and support unions. When Pennsylvania workers are strong, America is strong. It is critical that workers are guaranteed the right to fight for higher wages, safer working conditions, better benefits, and to collectively organize without fear of intimidation or retribution. The constant attacks on our hard-working labor force and middle class must end, and that’s why I am working to make it easier for public-sector and private workers to exercise their right to organize. We should be protecting unions, not dismantling them. Through my work on the Education and Labor Committee, I was proud to support the Protecting the Right to Organize Act (PRO) Act and to support it again when it came to a vote on the floor of the House.

• Invest in training, certification, and apprenticeship programs. Our economy is rapidly evolving and we need to equip Pennsylvanians — especially those who choose to pursue vocation and trade jobs — with the tools they need to keep pace and succeed in increasingly specialized professions. PA-07 is home to two of the finest community colleges in the country, and I have used my position on the Education and Labor Committee to advocate for increased access to technical schools and apprenticeship programs so everyone can choose whichever path best prepares them for a successful future.

• Build better infrastructure. When we invest our tax dollars in infrastructure, it’s an investment in our people, too — promoting economic growth while creating new construction and manufacturing jobs for Pennsylvanians. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, I fought to pass into law, is now delivering: it’s estimated to add two million good jobs to our economy each year over the next decade and takes action to boost our climate resilience, and ensures that our businesses have the tools they need to Make It In America.

• Promote rural broadband. In an age when activities are increasingly moving online, connectivity is more important than ever. We can only stay on the cutting edge of the 21st century economy if we have the technology to support it, which is why I strongly support expanding broadband access to our rural and urban communities.

 

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• Support small businesses. Small businesses are the backbone of our community and I’m proud to stand with small business owners across the Greater Lehigh Valley. In Congress, I have fought to get our businesses the support that they need. From the American Rescue Plan, which provided critical economic relief to millions of small businesses across the country, to increased funding for the Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, I will always work to ensure our businesses have what they need to to grow and succeed.