As a former FBI Agent, National Police Week is deeply personal to me. It is a time to honor those who wear the badge, answer the call, and serve this country wherever the mission takes them.
FBI Special Agent Kenya Merritt did exactly that.
He served in Iraq near one of the region’s most toxic burn pits. He came home. Years later, he was diagnosed with lung cancer and passed away in 2024.
As a result of the PACT Act signed into law in 2022, which I was proud to help champion with Senator Gillibrand, millions of veterans exposed to toxins while serving our country are receiving the health care they deserve.
Now, we are taking action for the civilian federal employees who served beside them.
The Kenya Merritt Renewing Our PACT Act ensures federal agents, officers, analysts, and civilian employees exposed to toxic burn pits overseas are not forced to fight an impossible burden of proof when they come home sick.
Kenya’s name on this bill is a tribute to his service and a solemn reminder of the duty we owe to those who served beside him. I urge my colleagues to join us in closing this gap and delivering the care, fairness, and recognition these heroes have earned.
For months, @repdonbacon and @repbrianfitz have worked together to hold Russia accountable through tough sanctions that cripple its ability to continue waging war on Ukraine.
Today, that effort gained enough support to force a vote in the U.S. House.
Read the full statement from With Honor Co-Founder & CEO @ryebarcott.official at the link in our bio.
Flyers. Ukraine. Less finger-pointing, more relationship-building—a pretty solid line up.
Great catching up with Max Cohen and team in the Punchbowl News Pink Room.
What an incredible morning in our community at the 37th Annual International Festival Foundation Spring Festival at North Penn High School in Lansdale!
Each year, this festival demonstrates exactly what makes our community so special: neighbors of many backgrounds and traditions coming together to share their heritage, learn from one another, and celebrate the enduring truth that diversity is not a challenge to overcome, but a strength to embrace.
In a world too often loud with division, the IFF continues to create space for connection, understanding, and mutual respect. Over the years, I have been proud to work alongside them in this shared mission, and am deeply grateful for their leadership and continued commitment to celebrating the richness of our diversity while strengthening unity across our community.
Big thanks to President Manish Ingle, the entire IFF organization, every volunteer, and every participant for making this extraordinary tradition possible and for all you do to enrich and our community year after year.
Metals USA is building America’s future right here in our PA-1 community. Yesterday, I was proud to join their team in Langhorne to break ground on this exciting expansion—an important investment in American workers, American manufacturing, and the future of our local economy.
Metals USA is a company that helps keep key American industries running, and their continued growth in PA-1 reflects the skill, work ethic, and excellence of the people behind it. What they are building here matters—not just for our community, but for the broader strength and competitiveness of our country.
As they continue to grow, I look forward to working alongside them and continuing to fight for the workers, manufacturers, and job creators moving our community and our nation forward. Join me in congratulating the entire Metals USA team on the major milestone!
What a great visit yesterday with the third grade class at Seylar Elementary in Pennridge School District. I was so impressed by the questions these young leaders asked about our nation’s history, how our government works, ways we can help others in our community and across the country, and even a few fun questions about some of our favorite things along the way.
Big thanks to all the Seylar teachers, staff, and parents for creating such a positive and engaging learning environment that that fosters curiosity, encourages civic engagement, and instills a spirit of service to others from such a young age. We look forward to visiting again soon!
Each year, I bring together student leaders from high schools across our community for our PA-1 Student Task Force—one of the most meaningful initiatives we lead.
Together, we dig into the legislative and appropriations priorities shaping PA-1, explore ways to bridge divides, and work toward real solutions that strengthen our community.
These students take on projects focused on major issues—from national security and social media’s impact on teen mental health to college affordability and workforce and trade pathways—and work to develop thoughtful ideas and legislative solutions.
Last night, we met to work through their projects, talk through challenges, refine ideas, and continue developing the solutions they’re building. I couldn’t be more impressed by the dedication, insight, and thoughtfulness these students bring to the table.
I’m proud of the work we’re doing together, and look forwarding to helping turn their ideas into action.
This was never supposed to be a choice between funding DHS and reforming ICE. It was supposed to be about doing both.
The Reforming ICE and Protecting America Act I introduced with Rep. Tom Suozzi remains the only proposal on the table that actually does that.
We joined Kristen Welker on MSNBC Now’s Common Ground to discuss our effort to fully fund the government, advance reforms that help repair frayed trust, and why finding common ground remains the only way to solve problems and deliver real results for our constituents and our country.
🔗: Read more about bill here: fitzpatrick.house.gov/2026/4/fitzpatrick-suozzi-unveil-bipartisan-bill-to-fund-dhs-reform-ice-and-protect-america
Easter is the story of hope fulfilled—of light breaking through darkness, and life made new.
It reminds us that no matter the trials we face, grace endures, faith sustains, and hope is never lost—only waiting to rise again.
Wishing all in our community and beyond a blessed and very Happy Easter! May the miracle of the Resurrection fill your hearts with peace, renew your spirits with hope, and strengthen your faith in every season.
Dr. Stanley Plotkin is one of the foremost figures in modern vaccinology—a pioneering physician-scientist whose work, including the development of the rubella vaccine, has helped protect millions of lives across generations and across the globe. We first met at the Life Sciences PA Showcase, where I was honored to receive the Federal Official of the Year Award in recognition of our shared commitment to advancing lifesaving innovation, alongside my longtime partners at the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center of Bucks County.
It was a privilege to sit down with Dr. Plotkin this week to discuss the future of cures, treatments, and biomedical innovation—and the imperative of continuing to advance the breakthroughs that improve and save lives. I’m deeply grateful for his insights and partnership, and remain committed to ensuring this vital work has the support, investment, and partnership needed to shape the next generation of vaccines, treatments, and cures.
Join me in congratulating William Zaleski of Troop 27, from Coopersburg, on earning the rank of Eagle Scout!
For his project, William helped transform Titus Elementary’s courtyard into a true outdoor classroom. Knowing the school had recently expanded its ability to teach outside, he set out to create a space that could fully support that opportunity. He restored the area from the ground up—cleaning the landscape, power-washing the shed, clearing and revitalizing the pond, and installing new benches that double as tables. The result is a renewed learning environment where students and teachers can step beyond the classroom walls and engage in a more hands-on, dynamic way.
Congratulations, William—and thank you to the entire PA-1 Scouting community for the mentorship and example that continue to shape young leaders through service.
Each year, the Congressional Art Competition offers a special look at the talent, creativity, and perspective of young artists across PA-1, and this year’s exhibition was no exception! What a pleasure to spend time with this year’s participants at the 31st Annual High School Art Exhibition at the Hicks Art Center Gallery, and celebrate the thought, originality, and heart behind each submission.
Congratulations to this year’s winner, Max Bollendorf of William Tennent High School, whose piece, “Apis,” will hang in the U.S. Capitol, as well as every student who participated and made this exhibition such an amazing showcase of talent from across our community.
Arts and culture have always been an important part of what makes PA-1 so special, and it is clear that tradition is in very good hands. Investing in and celebrating the next generation of creative voices is how we ensure that legacy continues to grow and thrive.
