Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor and recognize Mental Health America of Lancaster County for reaching a milestone 70 years of service.

This 70-year anniversary marks the foundation of the Mental Health Association of Lancaster County in 1956, after the Community Service Association, the Visiting Nurse Association, Lancaster Medical Group, representatives from nearby schools and courts, and the Psychology Department at Franklin & Marshall College collaborated to establish a mental health clinic. The purpose was twofold: to provide accessible mental health care, and to promote public understanding of mental illnesses.

The organization became an independent affiliate of Mental Health America in 1977 and changed their name to Mental Health America of Lancaster County in 2007. They provide peer advocacy services, assist those dealing with financial barriers to care, educate the public on mental health, and much more. These programs are made possible through the generous Lancaster community, which has provided financial support, volunteer efforts, and partnership.

Mental wellness affects everyone, and Mental Health America of Lancaster County has long played an important role in supporting the wellbeing of our community. As the organization celebrates its 70th anniversary, I extend my appreciation to its leaders and staff for their dedicated service and lasting contributions to Lancaster County. I wish them another 70 years of continued success.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor and recognize the Pennsylvania State Society of the Children of the American Revolution for their positive impact across the state and Pennsylvania's 11th Congressional District.

The Pennsylvania State Society Children of the American Revolution (CAR) belongs to the National Society CAR, which was chartered in 1895 by author and Daughters of the American Revolution member, Harriet Lothrop. Harriet's vision was to instill patriotism and reverence for America's institutions and principles among future generations.

Any boy or girl under the age of twenty-two who has lineal descent from a soldier, sailor, civil officer, or recognized patriot in the cause of American Independence is eligible for membership. As heirs of the American Revolution, the Pennsylvania Society educates its members on American history, assists in the preservation and recognition of historical places and figures tied to the revolution, and promotes American patriotism.

The Pennsylvania State Society CAR has over twenty societies, or chapters, across the commonwealth. These include the George Ross Society in Lancaster and the Colonel Thomas Hartley Society in York, both of which are named after local figures who played an important role in America's founding.

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary in July, it is heartening to know that the Pennsylvania State Society CAR is keeping our history and heritage of liberty alive. I thank the leaders and the members of the organization for their positive impact, and I wish them continued success in all they do.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to congratulate and recognize Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Cadet Colonel Slater Shannon for earning the General Carl A. Spaatz Award.

Cadet Colonel Shannon is the 2,574th individual in history to receive the General Carl A. Spaatz award. Named after General Spaatz, the first Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force and first chairman of the CAP National Board, the award is the highest honor that a CAP cadet can receive. Qualifying individuals spend years in the cadet program and undergo physical training, academic preparation, and leadership development.

Cadet Colonel Shannon serves with the Jesse Jones Composite Squadron 304, based at Lancaster Airport, of the Pennsylvania Wing Civil Air Patrol. During his time with CAP, he served as Cadet Commander of Squadron 304, was Primary Representative to the Pennsylvania Wing Cadet Advisory Council and assisted in multiple emergency service missions. He currently serves as the Secretary for the Northeast Region Committee of CAP. Cadet Colonel Shannon is also an accomplished student both in his CAP service and his private life, having completed aerospace education programs provided through the military while sustaining a 4.07 GPA. His accomplishments have earned recognition not just from myself, but from President Donald J. Trump, who wrote to him a letter of recognition.

The General Carl A. Spaatz Award goes to an average of five cadets out of one thousand, and the accomplishments of Cadet Colonel Slater Shannon merit him this prestigious honor. I thank Cadet Colonel Shannon for his selfless service to this country and I congratulate him on receiving this prestigious recognition. I look forward to seeing what his bright future holds.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and congratulate Rohrer Seeds, of Smoketown in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, for over a century in business.

Rohrer Seeds began in 1919 when P.L. Rohrer bought the business he worked for and introduced a mail-order seed catalog. Four years later, P.L. Rohrer built the company's retail store and headquarters in Smoketown, where it remains to this day.

What began as a small seed store has since adapted to the changes in both the market and in Lancaster County. While the customer base was once mostly agricultural, Rohrer Seeds shifted and found success in gardening and lawncare. Today, Rohrer Seeds sells hundreds of different kinds of seeds, alongside gardening and lawn supplies, to customers and other businesses. Their original service, the mail order catalogue, is still released annually and attracts customers from across the region. Rohrer Seeds continues to be family-owned and is led by P.L. Rohrer's great-grandson, Doug Rohrer.

Few businesses can say they have lasted a century, and even fewer can say that they have remained family owned during that time. I congratulate Rohrer Seeds for their longevity, and I appreciate the services that they have provided to generations of constituents. I wish them another century of success.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to congratulate and recognize Young Marine Corporal Chase Muchmore on being named the Pennsylvania Regiment Junior Young Marine of the Year.

Chase Muchmore is a current student at Manor Middle School and is a Corporal with the Young Marines of Lancaster County. As a member of the organization's color guard, he has spoken and posted the colors for events such as graduations, sporting events, and a Cold War Veteran Recognition Ceremony that I held in November 2025. He has also led community service efforts, such as donation drives, and organized a Veterans Day program for his hometown.

The Young Marines is a national youth program that focuses on community service, leadership, and a drug-free lifestyle. To be the Pennsylvania Regiment Junior Young Marine of the Year, YM/Cpl Muchmore completed Junior Leadership School, fulfilled requirements for rank, education, and community service, wrote an essay, and completed an interview process before being selected by the state board.

By being named Pennsylvania Regiment Junior Young Marine of the Year, YM/Cpl Muchmore has demonstrated leadership qualities and a heart for service not frequently seen by children his age. Congratulations to YM/ Cpl Muchmore and to the Young Marines of Lancaster County, and I look forward to seeing what his bright future holds.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to congratulate Cocalico High School's girls' soccer coach, Mr. Dan Hogan, on receiving the 2025 W. Gene Davis Memorial Award as Class 3A girls Coach of the Year by the Pennsylvania Soccer Coaches Association (PSCA). I am equally pleased to recognize his colleague, Mrs. Lynn Parmer, for being named the Assistant Coach of the Year by the PSCA.

The Cocalico Eagles soared under Hogan and Parmer's leadership. During their stellar 20-2-3 season, the girls' soccer team won the Lancaster-Lebanon League section title and advanced to the District Three 3A championship. Beaten in the finals in the previous two years, the Eagles defeated their opponents 3-1 for their first District Three Class 3A title. The Eagles then made it to the PIAA tournament quarterfinals before falling in overtime to the eventual tournament champions.

Having served as head coach for the last 26 years, Coach Hogan developed a history of success that culminated in their historic 2025 run. The PSCA's W. Gene Davis Memorial Award cements his legacy and marks him as one of the best soccer coaches in the state.

Equally deserving of commendation is Cocalico's Assistant Coach Lynn Parmer. Her significant role in Cocalico's success merited statewide recognition as PSCA's Assistant Coach of the Year for 2025. I congratulate the Cocalico girls' soccer team on their accomplishments in 2025 and coaches Hogan and Parmer, for their well-deserved recognition. I wish them continued success both on and off the field.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to congratulate and recognize the Garden Spot Future Farmers of America chapter (Garden Spot FFA), affiliated with Lampeter-Strasburg High School in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, on their success at the 98th National FFA Convention & Expo.

The Garden Spot FFA represented themselves well during the 98th National FFA Convention & Expo, which was held from October 24, 2025, to November 1, 2025, in Indianapolis, Indiana. At the Farm and Agribusiness Management event, which tested students on their economic and agricultural knowledge, the Garden Spot FFA Team placed second. Each student on the team--Antonio Franco, Will Gajecki, Rex Giberson, and Jack Ross--earned silver for their individual performance.

Five Garden Spot FFA alumni also received American FFA Degrees in 2025, the highest honor bestowed to FFA members, and were recognized at the convention. These individuals were Gracie Albright, Sydney Albright, Kayla Frey, Jaclyn Martin, and Katelyn Ranck.

With their success at the 98th National FFA Convention, the students at Garden Spot FFA demonstrated their remarkable work ethic and devotion to agriculture--making all of Pennsylvania's 11th Congressional District proud. I congratulate the Garden Spot FFA on their accomplishments, and I wish them continued success.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize and congratulate Solanco High School students Robert Baxter, Lucas Vilk, and Caleb Reed on their success in the 2025 Student Drone Challenge.

The Student Drone Challenge is hosted by the Interaction of Ionizing Radiation with Matter University Research Alliance (IIRM-URA), which is a collaborative partnership between universities, laboratories, and industrial companies. Funded by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, the IIRM-URA's primary concern is to mitigate threats against weapons of mass destruction. The competition is an opportunity for students to learn and engage in the fields that IIRM-URA supports.

The 2025 challenge involved a virtual drone simulation where students conducted reconnaissance to identify radiological threats in a building captured by friendly forces. Pitting over 800 competitors including those from university, high school, and middle school--the Solanco High School students took the top spots on the podium. Robert Baxter placed 1st overall, Lucas Vilk placed 2nd for high school students, and Caleb Reed placed 3rd for high school students.

I am grateful for educational programs that broaden our students' horizons. I congratulate the winning students, and I look forward to what their bright futures hold.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to congratulate and recognize the Lancaster County Beekeepers Society on their 150th anniversary.

The Lancaster County Beekeepers Society first met on March 13, 1876, in the city of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Founded by beekeepers with Lancastrian surnames like Reist, Hershey, and Herr, the first subject discussed was ``Will bee-keeping pay?'' The Lancaster County Beekeepers Society has continued to meet in the following 150 years, making it the oldest continuously operating, non-profit, honeybee club in the United States.

Throughout their long history, the Lancaster County Beekeepers Society has provided an opportunity for beekeepers to share their insights with one another and promote bee-related products. The club also provides public awareness about honeybees and their importance through lectures, exhibits, and programs like their annual New Beekeeper Workshop. The workshop has trained over 1,000 new beekeepers since its inception in 2010. These initiatives have benefited schools, churches, clubs, farm shows, and fairs across the county and state.

Honeybees are a vital part of our ecosystem. As the Lancaster County Beekeepers Society celebrates a monumental 150 years, their service to the community deserves to ``bee'' commended. I thank the club for what they do, and I wish them another 150 years of continued success.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize and thank an extraordinary public servant, Joanne Horn, who has retired after decades of faithful service to the people of Pennsylvania's 11th Congressional District.

Joanne has been a valued member of my staff since 2017, and before that, she served for 20 years working for Congressman Joe Pitts. For nearly three

decades, Joanne has been a steady, compassionate presence for constituents across the 11th District who needed help navigating Washington's vast alphabet soup of agencies and departments.

We did some calculation, and during her time in my office alone, not counting her time with Congressman Pitts, Joanne helped more than 7,500 individuals and secured over $46.8 million in savings and benefits that were rightfully owed to the people we serve.

Those numbers only tell part of the story. Joanne always helped seniors with Social Security, families navigating economic assistance during COVID, veterans, and countless others who felt overwhelmed and unheard until Joanne stepped in.

She didn't just do what we call casework. She actually changed lives. Joanne treated every constituent with dignity, persistence, and care, and she never gave up on someone who needed help.

There is truly no one quite like Joanne Horn. Our office, district, and Commonwealth are better because of her service, and we are deeply grateful as she begins this next chapter.

Celebrating a Century of Root's Country Market

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to congratulate and recognize Root's Country Market on their 100th anniversary.

Root's Country Market is a farmer's market and auction based in Manheim, Pennsylvania. The market's history stretches back to 1925 when it was founded by A.W. Root as a poultry auction.

Since then, Root's has expanded to include homegrown produce, handmade goods, and a flea market, the last of which was acquired in 2005.

Today, there are 250 stands in Root's Country Market, 180 stands at Root's Old Mill Flea Market across the street, and two auctions. Root's operates every Tuesday year-round and sees up to 10,000 visitors each week.

While seeing tremendous growth in the century since its founding, the market has stayed true to its roots. Root's remains family-owned and is currently led by fifth-generation market master Emily Longenecker Rineer.

What began as a poultry auction one century ago has become a staple of Lancaster County's heritage. As Root's Country Market celebrates 100 years in business, I thank the family and their stand holders for making our community a vibrant place.

Congratulations to the Root's Country Market, and I wish them another century of success.

Congratulating Constituents Named 2025-2026 Pennsylvania FFA Officers

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to congratulate and recognize the three individuals from Pennsylvania's 11th Congressional District who were installed as 2025-2026 State officers for the Pennsylvania FFA: State President Sarah Firestone, State Vice President Sally Bollinger, and State Secretary Leah Flinchbaugh.

Having emerged from a rigorous nomination and election process, a total of seven State officers were chosen to lead the Pennsylvania FFA this year. Three of the seven individuals belong to chapters in Pennsylvania's 11th Congressional District.

Sarah Firestone, the new president, is a member of the Garden Spot FFA Chapter and a graduate of Lampeter-Strasburg High School. The new vice president, Sally Bollinger, is a member of the Cloister FFA Chapter and is a graduate of Ephrata High School. The new secretary, Leah Flinchbaugh, is a member of the Eastern York FFA Chapter and a graduate of Eastern York High School.

Agriculture is crucial to Lancaster and York Counties, and the newly elected officers have demonstrated both passion for and knowledge of our local community.

I commend Sarah Firestone, Sally Bollinger, and Leah Flinchbaugh for their leadership in the Pennsylvania FFA. As they settle into their new roles and prepare for bright futures ahead, I wish them continued success in all of their endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I am not in Washington, D.C. due to family matters and missed the vote on passage of S. 1071, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 319.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to congratulate and recognize the Penn Manor Future Farmers of America chapter (Manor FFA), affiliated with Penn Manor High School in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, on their accomplishments at the 98th National FFA Convention & Expo.

Prior to the national convention, the Manor FFA was named as a national finalist for the 2025 Premier Chapter Award in the Building Communities category for their Mini-THON Line Dance activity. They were also recognized as a 3-star chapter, which is the highest ranking an FFA chapter can receive. Three of their students--Vita Failla, Molly Gehr, and Carly Railing--also received American FFA Degrees, the highest honor bestowed to FFA members.

The Manor FFA excelled during the 98th National FFA Convention & Expo, which was held from October 24, 2025 to November 1, 2025, in Indianapolis, Indiana. During the Poultry Evaluation event, Manor FFA students evaluated live poultry, graded carcasses and eggs, and completed a written exam. The Manor FFA team won a gold ranking, and the students--Anna Frey, Jozie Gilger, Leanna Kneisley, and Misty Railing--each earned silver.

The Dairy Cattle Evaluation and Management event saw students assess pedigrees, herd records, and live dairy cattle, and presented oral justifications for their decisions. The Manor FFA team earned an overall silver ranking. Katie Charles received a gold ranking, Jayden Buck and Grace Shaielby received silver, and Lillian Walborn received bronze.

The Manor FFA entered the 98th National Convention FFA with accolades and left with even more. Through their commitment to agriculture and their stellar work ethic, these students exemplify the character of Pennsylvania's 11th Congressional District. I congratulate the Manor FFA chapter on their accomplishments, and I wish them continued success.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for moving this bill through Ways and Means and for having us consider this bill this evening, the Hospital Inpatient Services Modernization Act, which is legislation led by my friend, Congressman Buchanan. I appreciate his leadership on this, and I was pleased to be able to support the effort, as well.

This bipartisan bill would enable hospitals to extend their successful hospital at home programs for another 5 years. The hospital at home model gives hospitals the flexibility to treat certain patients in the comfort and convenience of their own homes rather than in the hospital facility.

Over 31,000 patients received acute level care in their homes as of October 2024, and studies show that hospital systems achieved savings of 19 percent regarding these patients who required a shorter average length of stay and used fewer unnecessary services.

A number of hospitals in my district have used the hospital at home waiver to great effect. For example, one system with a hospital in my community has accepted more than 800 patients across all of their facilities, freeing up more than 1,500 hospital bed days and saving approximately $1.1 million.

This is exactly the kind of program that we should be encouraging. It allows medical providers to innovate and provide better care for their patients. Patients like being at home, as well. It decreases costs over the long run. By extending the hospital at home waiver for 5 years, this bill that we are considering today would give hospitals the certainty they need to continue to build out these innovative care models and serve their patients in a holistic way after the disruption caused by the Democratic shutdown.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage all of my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this important legislation, which is a clear win for patients and taxpayers.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the leader for bringing this bill to the floor.

Mr. Speaker, Ms. Moore is right. There are serious questions about Social Security and its sustainability going forward. I can tell my colleagues that Republicans want to ensure that the promises that have been made to the American people will be kept.

We need to have that conversation that Ms. Moore talked about. We need to make structural changes to the program. We have a math problem. In 8 years, if nothing is done, beneficiaries will not receive their full payments. It is time we begin to have that discussion.

Mr. Speaker, for individuals who are reaching retirement age, this ensures they have the best information available to them as they make decisions about when to start benefits.

Today, we use terms like ``early eligibility age,'' ``full retirement age,'' and ``delayed retirement credits.'' Those are confusing to people I talk with about this. Studies show that most beneficiaries don't fully understand how their claiming decisions will affect their monthly benefits. As a result, there are many seniors today who may be missing out on substantial retirement income because of suboptimal claiming decisions they made.

Mr. Speaker, that is where the Claiming Age Clarity Act comes in. My bill would simply change the terminology used by the Social Security Administration to describe the different ages when an individual can begin to claim their benefits.

Instead of ``early retirement age,'' this bill would refer to 62 as the ``minimum benefit age.'' If Americans start Social Security at 62, then that is the smallest benefit, the minimum benefit, they would receive. ``Full retirement age'' would become the ``standard benefit age.'' Age 70 would be referred to as the ``maximum benefit age.'' When describing this, it doesn't get any simpler than minimum, standard, and maximum benefit ages.

This bill will help seniors make informed decisions when deciding when to begin their Social Security benefits that they have earned.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Beyer for leading this effort with me, and I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense bill.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Smith for the opportunity to bring this up in committee and then for moving it out of committee. I thank the leader for bringing it to the floor for a vote.

This is about helping kids. I know when we talk about Social Security, we don't often think about kids. But remember, every child receives a Social Security number that follows them around for the rest of their life. Every year, there are kids whose Social Security numbers are lost or stolen in the mail and exposed to fraudsters.

Because children don't open bank accounts, they don't apply for lines of credit, and they don't seek employment, it can take them years to discover that their identity was stolen or to realize the effects of a stolen identity.

Under current policy, even if the child is aware that the Social Security number was stolen, a child must become victimized by actual fraud before the Social Security Administration will give them a new number.

That is ridiculous. If my bank issued a credit card and I didn't receive it in the mail, they wouldn't send me another copy of the same card. They would cancel the old one and send me a new card. Why would we treat our children any differently? We shouldn't.

That is why, Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to vote for the Social Security Child Protection Act. This bill would simply require that the Social Security Administration issue a new, different Social Security number to a child under the age of 14 if the card has been lost or stolen while being issued to the child in the mail.

Mr. Speaker, it is a simple fix to protect our children and make the process of interacting with the Social Security Administration easier. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''