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In This Update:
The Left Must Reject Political Violence Op-ed
America stands at a dangerous crossroads. The recent attack targeting President Donald J. Trump — combined with years of escalating political hostility from the left — should alarm every citizen. Violence, threats and the normalization of hateful rhetoric are not merely political problems. They are threats to the very foundation of our republic. When public figures, entertainers and media personalities normalize hostility or ridicule political opponents in ways that dehumanize them, they create an environment where violence becomes thinkable. Recent commentary from prominent figures in entertainment, including statements made by Jimmy Kimmel, illustrates how rhetoric can cross lines that once defined responsible public discourse. Every citizen has a role to play in restoring civility. Every leader has a duty to set the tone. And every public figure must remember that words spoken today can shape actions tomorrow. The time to speak clearly is now. Not after the next attack. Not after the next tragedy. Now. Read my full thoughts about the rise in political hostility from the left here. Honoring Master Sergeant Ben Bitner at Greencastle’s Annual Gathering
It was an honor to speak at Greencastle’s Annual Gathering honoring Master Sergeant Ben Bitner, who gave his life in the line of duty on April 23, 2011. Master Sergeant Bitner’s courage, dedication, and ultimate sacrifice reflect the very best of our nation’s service members. His legacy continues to inspire all who value duty, honor, and love of country. We remain forever grateful for his service and for the sacrifice made by him and his family. Teach PA visit at the Capitol
It was a pleasure to welcome students and families to the Capitol for Teach PA Student Mission Day as they advocated for policies that support quality, affordable education and strengthen Jewish day schools and their communities. Hearing their experiences and learning firsthand about the importance of accessible, high-quality education was truly inspiring. Hoffman Homes Tour
What an incredible visit to Hoffman Homes in Littlestown! Touring the 192-acre campus, seeing the housing layout, classrooms where students learn, and the beautiful horse farm made it clear how special this place truly is. What began in 1907, when George and Agnes Hoffman donated their farm to create a home for children in need, has grown into a remarkable campus dedicated to healing and hope. Since opening in 1910, Hoffman Homes has continued to evolve to meet the changing needs of children and families. Today, their work spans Outpatient Therapy, Therapeutic Shelter, Creative Therapies, Medical Services, and more—all built around a trauma-informed, healing-centered approach that helps young people overcome challenges and build brighter futures. We are grateful for the compassionate team carrying forward the Hoffmans’ legacy and invite others to stand with them in making a meaningful difference. Franklin County Career and Technology Center Round Table Discussion
We had a fantastic roundtable discussion today at the Franklin County Career and Technology Center in Chambersburg, PA. Hearing directly from the students about their experiences and the impact this school has had on their lives was truly inspiring and impressive. We were also joined by dedicated administrators, local businesses that employ Career Tech students/graduates, along with our state representatives and county officials. Career and technical education is opening doors, building skills, and preparing the next generation for success in the workforce. Thank you to everyone who participated in this meaningful event and for your continued commitment to our students and community. Throwback!
Here I am with an Iraqi girl in Ur, Iraq, 1991, after the liberation of Kuwait during Operation Desert Storm. My unit, the 2nd Armored Calvary Regiment (2 ACR), led the main attack against Saddam Hussein’s elite Republican Guard, which culminated in the Battle of the 73rd Easting, the last tank battle of the century. Senate Approves Legislation to Help Relieve PA Nurse Shortage
The Senate approved legislation to help alleviate Pennsylvania’s nurse shortage by increasing the number of qualified nursing students. Senate Bill 998 would establish the Nurse Education Capacity Expansion Grant Program, aimed at increasing the number of qualified nursing students by providing targeted support to accredited nursing schools across Pennsylvania. Nursing education programs would have to meet key performance benchmarks, including strong graduation rates, high licensure exam pass rates and successful job placement outcomes. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration. Read more about Senate Bill 998 here. Measures Reinforcing Commercial Vehicle Safety Approved by Committee
A package of bills to improve safety standards for commercial driver’s license (CDL) holders in Pennsylvania was approved by the Senate Transportation Committee. The measures are the result of a committee fact-finding hearing in December, which revealed deficiencies and loopholes involving criminal illegal migrants. The hearing was prompted by a fatal crash in the state of Indiana involving a Pennsylvania-issued, non-domiciled CDL held by a citizen of Kyrgyzstan. The package includes the following bills:
The bills now go to the full Senate for consideration. Hearing on Resource Adequacy, Energy Market, Barriers to New PA Power Generation
Continuing efforts to ensure Pennsylvania families and employers have access to reliable, affordable electricity, the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee held a public hearing to examine the latest energy market conditions and barriers to new power generation in the commonwealth. The panel heard from testifiers representing the regional power grid, PJM, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission and others. ReliabilityFirst, which is responsible for ensuring the dependability and security of the regional bulk power system, projected risk to grid reliability could come in 2029 instead of in the early 2030s as previously projected. The surge of demand from data centers and the need for more skilled infrastructure workers were also discussed. You can view written testimony and the hearing video here. May 4 is the Deadline to Register to Vote in the Primary Election
This Monday, May 4 is the deadline to register to vote in the May 19 primary election. You can register to vote online, by mail or at several government agencies. To register to vote in Pennsylvania, you must:
Learn more about registering to vote here. Check if you’re registered to vote here. Mammo May: Early Detection Saves Lives
Continuing to build awareness on the importance of early breast cancer detection, the Pennsylvania Senate announced a Senate Resolution recognizing May 2026 as Mammography Month in Pennsylvania. The American Cancer Society estimates that nearly 322,000 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer nationwide this year. In Pennsylvania alone, an average of 38 women are diagnosed with breast cancer every single day. Alarmingly, nearly one in four women aged 50 to 74 have not received a mammogram in the past two years, despite strong evidence that early detection drastically improves outcomes. Behind every mammogram is a life, a family and a future, which is why we continue to work with the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition to spread the word that early detection of breast cancer through mammograms saves lives. Mammograms are available at no cost in Pennsylvania. If you haven’t yet, use Mammo May as a reminder to schedule your mammogram – and please spread the word to the women in your life. This PA Breast Cancer Coalition resource page walks you through the steps of the mammogram process. |
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