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Dear Friend,
Over the last few months, the coronavirus pandemic has challenged families, small businesses, and workers across the county. Our factories joined the fight against the coronavirus and their dedicated employees are working tirelessly to produce the critical supplies and equipment our brave healthcare workers need to combat this illness.
The public and private sectors have made a concerted effort to develop medical capabilities and distribute supplies to hospitals. On Friday, President Trump announced Operation Warp Speed, a significant undertaking to accelerate the development of a COVID-19 vaccine by January. Additionally, Pennsylvania’s healthcare workers have received considerable resources to protect healthcare workers through public-private partnerships led by the Trump Administration and FEMA.
Our readiness for pandemics, natural disasters, and national security depends on a resilient American industrial capacity. President Trump came to Allentown on Thursday to lay out a plan to further expand the manufacturing revival that has been underway for the last three years. I was pleased to welcome the President to Eastern Pennsylvania and will continue to work with him to provide opportunities for workers to find jobs, improve their skills, and reinvigorate America’s economic engines.
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| Saed Hindash | For lehighvalleylive.com |
In the first 15 years of the 21st Century, the United States shuttered 60,000 factories losing countless jobs and livelihoods to China. In the last three years, the tide has turned and 12,000 factories have opened in the United States, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
This pandemic has demonstrated there is no substitute for strong manufacturing here at home. We cannot trust China to be a vital link in our supply chain. President Trump’s plan to replenish the Strategic National Stockpile relies on the promise of American industry. Under this plan, we will make what we need in our communities and will export, rather than import, critical supplies. This plan will create jobs, revitalize communities, and restore America’s independence, putting America First.
Do you support restoring manufacturing in America
and bringing jobs back from China?
Unfortunately, House Democrat leadership does not see that saving lives and restoring livelihoods go hand in hand. Rather than supplement the President’s commitment to improve readiness and create jobs with Congressional action, Speaker Pelosi introduced a bill this week that includes handouts to illegal immigrants, bailouts for labor unions, and opens the door to ballot-harvesting and other fraud in this year’s election.
The Speaker’s plan is a redux of progressive wish lists that have consistently stymied actual progress on issues ranging from lowering prescription drug costs to funding our nation’s defense. This bill included a laundry list of items that are irrelevant to the ongoing crisis:
- It federalizes elections and requires mail-in voting without guarding against fraud;
- It allows illegal immigrants to get Economic Impact Payments;
- It mentions “cannabis" 68 times;
- It bails out mismanaged pension funds and mismanaged state governments at significant and accountable cost to taxpayers;
- And it applies one-size-fits-all OSHA rules at a time when regulators would do well to learn from businesses that have implemented workplace safety measures like many in our district who can serve as models for similar employers to follow.
A Better Way
I recognize the significant task ahead of us to reopen our country and restore a sense of normalcy. This is no time for politics - it’s a time for clear thinking. Our country will need to move forward with new safety standards and those who lost their business or their job will continue to need assistance. Our plan should include:
- Funding transportation infrastructure projects to create jobs and spur growth;
- A comprehensive plan for safely reopening schools nationwide;
- Workplace safety standards that include input from businesses and experts;
- Relief for homeowners, renters, and other borrowers through forbearance; and
- Additional relief and liability protections for small businesses and employers.
Over the last three years, our country has taken significant strides without the heavy hand of government. Throughout this crisis, the federal government has coordinated a response to this virus that harnesses and encompasses our country’s private industry and the spirit of the American people. These have been the principles that have gotten our country through past crises and it must be the way forward now. Our country’s future depends on our ability to protect our communities and promote opportunity. These objectives go hand in hand. |