Smucker Opposes Pelosi's Wish List

Washington – Congressman Lloyd Smucker (PA-11) released the following statement after voting against H.R. 6800:

"We don't need Speaker Pelosi's three trillion-dollar progressive wish list. Particularly one that includes additional dollars that Gov. Tom Wolf can use to hold hostage Pennsylvania's counties and small businesses.

We can continue to fight this virus and protect those at highest risks in nursing homes and long-term care facilities, while also gradually opening businesses that can follow CDC and social distancing guidelines. The best way to support the hardworking people of my Congressional District is to allow them to safely return back to work.

Beyond the $150 billion in direct funding to states included in the CARES Act, where Pennsylvania received nearly $5 billion, over $600 billion in additional funding has already flowed to benefit states and municipalities. We need to use existing funds as efficiently as possible, not write blank checks to states for funds to be wasted.

I have called on Gov. Wolf to push out existing funds to all of our counties that didn't already receive them and have asked the Treasury Department for maximum flexibility on how these funds may be spent. We need Gov. Wolf to communicate how he intends to distribute the funds Pennsylvania has already been allocated before considering any additional funds for state governments," said Smucker.

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