Legislative Updates

Fighting for Taxpayers' Needs in Transportation and Infrastructure Friends, As your Representative, I've been committed to spending less of your money, and ensuring the money we do spend is done so responsibly. As Chairman of the Economic Development, Emergency Management, and Public Buildings Subcommittee and member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I have fought to reduce waste within the federal real estate portfolio, streamline emergency management to protect your wallet, and cut wasteful economic development programs. So far this Congress, I have introduced 9 bills and 5 amendments, and spoke at more than 10 committee hearings to fight for the Taxpayers' needs in infrastructure. I’m proud to highlight these key accomplishments below.   Supporting the I-83 John Harris Memorial Bridge Replacement Project Last April, I was proud to sign onto a bipartisan letter highlighting our support for federal discretionary funding for the Interstate 83 John Harris Memorial Bridge replacement project. Repairing the I-83 South Bridge is critical for South-Central Pennsylvanians. The bridge has fallen into poor condition, and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation was clear that the bridge must be replaced. Members of the congressional delegation from across the state recognized this, and I've always supported and will continue to support responsible infrastructure development like replacing the I-83 South Bridge as a legitimate function of government. Signing onto this letter was an easy choice to make. You can read theI-83 South Bridge PA Delegation Letter here. Fighting For Taxpayers in Managing Federal Infrastructure I introduced the MOVE Act, which requires the General Services Administration (GSA) to consolidate other agency headquarters into their headquarters and sell the other buildings to ensure higher utilization rates. This will help save Taxpayers' funds and eliminate waste. The USE It Act, which I introduced, requires GSA to establish a uniform measure of building utilization and to take actions to reduce underutilized space through consolidation, selling or disposing of excess capacity space. You can read more about the USE It Act here. I introduced the FASTA Reform Act to make improvements to the Federal Assets Sale and Transfer Act (FASTA) process that makes it easier for the Federal government to sell and transfer underutilized or unutilized assets. Holding the Biden-Harris Admin Accountable for Waste in Infrastructure Programs   Baltimore Key Bridge During the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee's hearing on the Baltimore Key Bridge, I questioned Biden administration officials on their plan. They said that the Biden administration plans to use 100% federal funding to rebuild the bridge. But for years, the Francis Scott Key Bridge has a toll that has driven funds into the state of Maryland and will do so again once the bridge is rebuilt. The federal government will never see a dime of this future toll revenue as repayment. As Americans struggle to afford gas, daycare, groceries, and everyday expenses, I believe it is inappropriate to force them to pay for a bridge that tolls have already funded. Examining the Role and Effectiveness of Building Codes to Mitigate Disasters I chaired a House Subcommittee Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management hearing so Americans can better understand the role of the federal government in the building codes process. During the hearing I questioned various experts about the impact of FEMA's costly building code mandates are having on local municipalities and new home building. It appears that FEMA is using a one-size-fits-all approach that fails to account for different sets of codes that reflect industry standards, geography, or responses to local hazards which might be better suited to the needs of a community. Addressing Federal Protective Services Shortcomings The “Post Tracking System,” or PTS, has been in the works since 2018in an effort to better manage federally contracted security guards. The Federal Protective Service (FPS)is now trying to deploy the system across all its guard contracts through the end of this year. The PTS system is intended to help the agency track and manage approximately 14,000 contract security guards, who are also known as Protective Security Officers or PSO’s. The issue? It doesn't work well. I questioned officials at a Economic Development, Emergency Management, and Public Buildings Subcommittee hearing on whether the delayed PTS system would have allowed the FPS to provide more real-time information to agencies about guard shortages. Watch my questions here. Transportation and Infrastructure News Call 'Red Light' on Federally Funded Revenue Traps In July, I had the opportunity to publish an opinion piece in the Washington Times outlining my opposition to federal funding for stop light and speeding cameras. While enforcing traffic laws is a noble goal, these cameras have two major flaws: despite receiving federal funding they only generate revenue for local government, and they don't necessarily reduce traffic violations. Read my article here.   Chairman Perry Statement from Hearing on Effectiveness of Building Codes in Mitigating Against Disasters House T&I Committee - Sept 25 "As it stands, I worry that federal overreach regarding building codes is imposing unnecessary burdens on businesses and property owners. I fear that FEMA is using a one-size-fits-all approach that fails to take into account where different sets of codes that reflect industry standards or respond to local hazards might be better suited to the needs of a community."   FederalsecurityagencystrugglingwithnewITsystemfortrackingcontractguards Federal News Network - July 25 During the House subcommittee hearing, Chairman Scott Perry (R-Pa.) questioned whether the delayed PTS system would have allowed the FPS to provide more real-time information to agencies about guard shortages.   Rep. Scott Perry, R-Pa., asks if federal government could recover toll money for construction Pennsylvania Capital Star - May 15th He asked if the federal government could recoup toll money collected on the bridge when it reopens. “I hope you would consider a plan to reimburse the taxpayer under horrific debt right now, who can’t afford their groceries, their gas bills, their day care bills, for the cost of this bridge, for which one state has been receiving all the money for its entire existence, and apparently is going to receive all the money from the tolls for the rest of its existence,” Perry said.   Lawmaker questions use of Key bridge tolls Land Line - May 15th Rep. Scott Perry, R-Pa., directed the question at Shailen Bhatt, who is the administrator of the Federal Highway Administration. “I wonder if you think it’s fair that the American taxpayer should not only pay to reconstruct the bridge but then pay tolls after which to use the infrastructure they just paid for in their taxes,” Perry said. “Is there some plan to recoup that and send that back into the disaster relief fund or the highway fund, which continually needs massive infusions from the general fund just to stay afloat? What’s the plan?”   Federal leaders testify on efforts to clear and replace collapsed Baltimore bridge KATV - May 15th “The relief fund is $3.7 billion behind. We're $35 trillion this month in debt at the federal level, and I wonder if you think it's fair that the American taxpayer should not only pay to reconstruct the bridge, but then pay tolls after which to use the infrastructure they just paid for in their taxes,” said Rep. Scott Perry, R-Pa.   House panel to examine FEMA spending on disaster mitigation Politico - April 29th “We have an increasing reliance on the federal government, and then we add that FEMA is also being tasked to manage non-traditional disasters, like pandemics, and help with issues completely unrelated to its mission,” Perry said at last month's FEMA hearing, which was focused on "disaster readiness” and the “propriety of the expanded use of FEMA’s resources.” “Where is the accountability in all of this?” he added then. “Why aren’t states doing what they need to do to budget for these costs?”   Chairman Perry Statement from Hearing on FEMA’s Disaster Mitigation Efforts Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure - May 1st "FEMA can’t solve everyone’s problems, and if FEMA is going to fund mitigation, at the very least the projects should demonstrate they will actually reduce the costs of disasters."