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Smucker: Standing Up for Middle-Class Families

February 9, 2017

Rep. Smucker Rolls Out First Wave of Cosponsorships

Washington, D.C. – This week, U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker (PA-16) cosponsored nine bills that will help reignite the American Dream. Seven of the nine bills are bipartisan – highlighting Rep. Smucker's commitment to working across the aisle to do what's best for the people of Pennsylvania's 16th District.

"Standing up for middle-class families, protecting the rights of law-abiding citizens, and ensuring access to affordable health care for all Americans – these bills will have a direct, positive impact on the people I am here to represent," said Rep. Smucker. "I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass these bills and get them signed into law."

  1. Preexisting Conditions Protection and Continuous Coverage Incentive Act
    • This legislation would prohibit health insurers from denying coverage to individuals with preexisting conditions. Ensuring this sort of coverage is one of the first steps toward ensuring all Americans have access to affordable, quality health care.
  1. Middle Class Health Benefits Tax Repeal Act
    • This bipartisan legislation would permanently repeal the "Cadillac Tax" – an onerous tax on employer-sponsored health care plans. Repealing this tax would help protect families from losing their doctor, unaffordable health care costs, and help keep more money in the pockets of middle class families.
  1. Death Tax Repeal Act
    • The estate tax, also known as the "death tax," requires families to turn over portions of an inheritance to the federal government. This legislation would end this tax to ensure that American families can work hard and know that what they built can be passed down to their children and grandchildren.
  1. Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act
    • This bipartisan legislation would allow handgun owners, who are legally permitted to carry a concealed firearm in their own state, carry a concealed firearm in another state that allows concealed carry – protecting the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens.
  1. Protect Medical Innovation Act
    • This bipartisan legislation would permanently repeal a 2.3% excise tax on medical devices. This tax has a direct effect on job creation and innovation. Repealing it will provide more affordable access to lifesaving medical devices such as pacemakers, stints, and MRIs.
  1. Proposing a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution
    • This bipartisan legislation would amend the U.S. Constitution to prohibit Congress from spending more money than it receives in taxpayer dollars – forcing the federal government to balance their budget just like millions of Pennsylvania families and the Pennsylvania State Government.
  1. Right to Try Act – original cosponsor
    • This bipartisan legislation would allow terminally-ill patients to access experimental medical products that have passed the first round of the FDA's basic safety testing – providing those who are too sick for clinical trials an attempt at a lifesaving treatment.
  1. Investing in Opportunity Act
    • This bipartisan legislation would improve access to capital for small businesses and entrepreneurs – helping them expand and create more jobs in distressed communities.
  1. Abie Abraham VA Clinic Designation Act
    • This bipartisan legislation would rename the VA Health clinic in Center Township, Butler County after Abie Abraham -- a WWII hero from Western Pennsylvania who spent over 23 years volunteering at the VA. You can learn more about Abie Abraham here. (Note: the entire Pennsylvania delegation has cosponsored this bill)


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