News from Representative Scott Perry

June 20, 2017

As part of a larger effort to improve government transparency and keep our constituents of Pennsylvania's 4th Congressional District informed of current legislative business, I send out updates at the beginning of each Session week as an overview of legislative matters to be addressed.

As always, if you have questions or concerns on any issue or need help with a federal agency, please contact our offices anytime.

Strengthening Career and Technical Education

This week, Congress considers legislation to fortify career and technical education programs to ensure that our workforce is prepared for the skilled labor jobs of tomorrow. The Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act, HR 2353, seeks to modernize the Perkins Career and Technical Education Act, which hasn’t been updated for nearly a decade.

As a graduate of the Cumberland Perry Area VoTech, I personally know the value of a technical education. While many of our fellow citizens remain unemployed, hundreds of good-paying manufacturing jobs remain unfilled in our region, which is frustrating. This bill will help empower state and local community leaders to improve alignment with in-demand jobs by training people for high-needs occupations, increasing transparency and accountability for taxpayers, and ensuring a limited federal role in the economic development process. You can learn more about this program here.

This bill is the latest in a series of efforts to encourage workforce development. Last week, the House passed H.R. 338, legislation to promote a 21st century workforce, which I proudly supported, and which directs the Secretary of Energy to prioritize education and training to increase the number of skilled individuals entering the energy and manufacturing fields.

I remain committed to helping people develop the skills they need to gain access to quality, family-sustaining jobs around our region.

House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
Building a 21st Century Infrastructure for America: Challenges and Opportunities for Intercity Passenger Rail Service

The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure will hold a hearing about high speed commuter rail projects along the Northeast Corridor between Boston, MA and Washington, D.C. and the impacts this kind of infrastructure development could have on our national economy.

Hearing: Building a 21st Century Infrastructure for America: Challenges and Opportunities for Intercity Passenger Rail Service
When: Thursday, June 22, 2017 at 10:00 a.m.
Where: 2167 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, D.C.

Watch the event here.

Standing Up for Veterans

Last week, I supported the Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act, which passed the House of Representatives and now on its way to the President’s desk. The bill overhauls the VA by: streamlining the process to remove, demote or suspend VA employees for poor performance or misconduct; recoup taxpayer-funded bonuses from employees who have acted improperly; and widely expand protections for whistleblowers.

Reforming the VA starts with overhauling the broken culture. This Act is the step we needed to shake up the bureaucracy and hold VA officials accountable - because Veterans deserve better results.

To learn more about the bill, click here.

Congressman Scott Perry Postpones Mechanicsburg Town Hall

In light of attack on Republican Congressmen in Alexandria, Virginia last week and the limited time available to ensure that additional/necessary security protocols were in place to safeguard all attendees, I postponed our Town Hall meeting previously scheduled for Saturday, June 17, 2017 in Mechanicsburg. I didn’t arrive at this decision easily, nor was the decision made lightly, but rather after myriad risk assessments and conversations with law enforcement and administrative officials at both the local and federal levels. Stay tuned to our website and Facebook page for updates regarding future engagement opportunities.

ICYMI: I joined Fox News to discuss dialing down the rhetoric in our country and restoring civility to the public political discourse. You can watch my remarks here.

Praying for Congressman Steve Scalise

In the wake of last Wednesday’s horrific shooting, my heart and prayers continue to be with Congressman Steve Scalise, his family and staff, and our fellow Members of Congress. This intolerable – and cowardly - act of violence is heartbreaking in many ways. I ask God also to bless the brave warriors of the U.S. Capitol Police and the Alexandria City Police – without whom this damage of this tragedy would have increased tenfold – and who deal with more on a daily basis than most of us can possibly imagine. THANK YOU for your tireless and selfless service to our Nation, and for all you do to keep us safe.

I offered my thoughts about the aftermath of this tragedy on C-Span’s Washington Journal. You can watch the full interview here.

I, along with my family, will continue to pray for national healing.

As always, if you have questions or concerns on any issue, or need help with a federal agency, please contact our offices anytime. Please note that the e-mail address associated with this message is unattended. If you would like to email me, please visit: https://perry.house.gov/.

Respectfully,

Scott Perry

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Adams County Office 22 Chambersburg Street Gettysburg, PA 17325 Phone: 717-338-1919 Fax: 717-334-6314	Cumberland/Dauphin Counties Office 730 North Front Street Wormleysburg, PA 17043 Phone: 717-635-9504 Fax: 717-635-9861

York County Office 2209 East Market Street York, PA 17402 Phone: 717-600-1919 Fax: 717-757-5001	Washington, DC Office 1207 Longworth HOB Washington, DC 20515 Phone: 202-225-5836 Fax: 202-226-1000

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