Lloyd Smucker
RDecisions on when to claim Social Security shouldn’t be made more confusing by government terminology. My bipartisan Claiming Age Clarity Act has passed Congress and is headed to the President’s desk. It will help Americans better understand their retirement benefits. More from CNBC: https://t.co/u38p394k9f
$40 trillion in debt. More than $1 trillion a year just to pay the interest. We know this path is unsustainable. The question is whether we choose to act now. I joined the 584 Vetoes podcast to discuss the case for a bipartisan fiscal commission and a path toward getting our fiscal house in order. 🎧 https://t.co/nT4swgAIeU
WASHINGTON — Rep. Lloyd Smucker (PA-11), Vice Chairman of the House Budget Committee and a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee, joined the 584 Vetoes podcast to discuss the nation’s $40 trillion national debt and the need for bipartisan action to put the country on a more sustainable fiscal path. The podcast was hosted by Brian Miller, MD, MBA, MPH, FACPM, a practicing hospitalist, Associate Professor of Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University, and a Visiting Fellow at the Hoover Institution. Listen here on Spotify | Listen here on YouTube | Listen Here on Apple Podcasts | Read more and listen here on Substack During the conversation with host Brian Miller, Smucker made the case for establishing a bipartisan fiscal commission that would bring lawmakers, experts, and the American people into a national conversation about the country’s fiscal future. “The commission would be a vehicle to discuss the options that we have available, and perhaps even more important, it would be a discussion with the American public,” Smucker said. “That, I think, is the value of a commission.” Smucker said he envisions a commission holding hearings across the country to engage Americans directly in understanding the nation’s fiscal challenges and the consequences of failing to address them. “People get that and people want to see us solve this,” Smucker said. “The commission would engage the public and then bring the experts in and provide the recommendations that would lead to that legislation.” Smucker also discussed the impact of the federal government spending more than $1 trillion annually on interest on the debt, the need to strengthen Social Security and Medicare for future generations, and the combination of stronger economic growth and responsible spending reforms necessary to improve the nation’s fiscal outlook. Smucker said the House Budget Committee has an important role to play in driving that conversation, describing the committee as the “conscience of the conference and of Congress” and saying it should hold Congress accountable while providing “the road map and the path to better fiscal policy.” The full episode of 584 Vetoes, “It’s Time for a Fiscal Commission to Fix the Debt with Congressman Lloyd Smucker,” is available here. # # #
From snack foods and farm equipment to advanced technology and structural steel fabrication, PA-11 makes things. On Manufacturing Day, we celebrate the manufacturers and skilled workers who create good jobs and keep our local economy strong. Proud of all that’s made right here in PA-11. #MFGDay26
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WASHINGTON - Rep. Lloyd Smucker (PA-11) announced that his bipartisan Claiming Age Clarity Act, H.R. 5284, has passed the Senate and is headed to the President’s desk for signature. Smucker introduced the legislation with Rep. Don Beyer (VA-08) to help Americans better understand how the timing of their decision to claim Social Security affects their monthly retirement benefit. The bill previously passed the House of Representatives. “Americans who have worked their entire lives and earned Social Security benefits deserve clear, straightforward information as they make important decisions about their retirement,” said Rep. Lloyd Smucker. “The Claiming Age Clarity Act replaces confusing government terminology with language that better explains how the age at which someone claims Social Security affects their monthly benefit. I’m grateful that Republicans and Democrats came together to advance this commonsense reform, and I look forward to seeing it signed into law.” “Passage of this bill is a victory for seniors and older workers, who will now be able to make more informed decisions about their retirement benefits,” said Rep. Don Beyer. “The need for clarity on these issues gets more salient every year as Americans live longer and financial choices become more complex. I thank Rep. Smucker for his leadership on this legislation, and all those who supported the Claiming Age Clarity Act.” The Claiming Age Clarity Act would modernize terminology used by the Social Security Administration to better reflect how claiming age affects an individual’s monthly benefit: “Early Eligibility Age” would become “Minimum Benefit Age” — age 62, the earliest age at which an individual can begin receiving retirement benefits, with permanently lower monthly benefits than those received at standard benefit age. “Full Retirement Age” and “Normal Retirement Age” would become “Standard Benefit Age” — generally age 66 or 67, depending on an individual’s birth year. “Delayed Retirement Age” would become “Maximum Benefit Age” — age 70, the latest age someone can begin receiving benefits. Electing to delay receiving benefits by a year increases an individual's benefits, up to a maximum of 24% more than the standard benefit. The bipartisan legislation is supported by AARP, Bipartisan Policy Center Action, and AMAC Action. Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Tim Kaine (D-VA) introduced companion legislation in the Senate. # # #
61 historic artifacts connected to President James Buchanan’s family are back with their rightful owners. These items had come to the Pennsylvania Treasury as unclaimed property, and yesterday I joined @PATreasurer at LancasterHistory for their return to the Buchanan family. Thank you, Treasurer Garrity, for your tremendous work to return unclaimed property to Pennsylvanians across our Commonwealth.
Watch the press conference and learn more: https://t.co/dFjULw4u9v
Thank you to my colleague and lead sponsor of the legislation in the Senate, @SenBillCassidy, for his leadership on this bill!
🚨The Senate has passed bipartisan and commonsense legislation I’ve introduced with @RepDonBeyer to help America’s seniors make informed decisions when deciding to claim their Social Security benefits. The bill will now be sent to President Trump for his signature. https://t.co/olzdU9nA7y
More here: https://t.co/cfAgWa0hzg
249 years ago today, Lancaster served as the capital of our young nation for one day. On September 27, 1777, the Continental Congress convened in Lancaster after fleeing Philadelphia as British forces advanced. After meeting here, delegates traveled across the Susquehanna River to York, where Congress continued its work during a pivotal chapter of the American Revolution. As we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, we’re proud to remember the important role our communities played in our nation’s founding. A great look at this history from @SmithsonianMag: https://t.co/K62fjnIYn6
Our $40T national debt is a serious challenge, but one we can still solve. I joined @KurtCouchman of @AFPhq on @RepublicanStudy’s Right to the Point to discuss the need to change our fiscal trajectory. Thanks @MatthewFoldi for the coverage: https://t.co/OqKin7MuMa
WASHINGTON - Rep. Lloyd Smucker (PA-11), Vice Chairman of the House Budget Committee, hosted the latest episode of the Republican Study Committee’s Right to the Point podcast featuring Americans for Prosperity Senior Fellow in Fiscal Policy Kurt Couchman for a discussion on America’s $40 trillion national debt and efforts to put the nation on a more sustainable fiscal trajectory. Click here to watch the podcast. Click here to listen to the podcast. CLICK TO WATCH: Smucker: America’s debt problem is still solvable “If we look back to what happened after World War Two, it took quite some time to work out of that high debt to GDP ratio-- about 30 years. The point is: this is solvable. [The national debt] is a big problem. It's a threat, certainly to our economic well-being, even potentially a threat to the future of the country if we don't change course. But if we begin to make decisions today, we begin to make changes today. We can still solve it.” CLICK TO WATCH: Smucker on goal to cut deficits to 3% of GDP “Today, we take in roughly $5 trillion and spend $7 trillion every year. […] Our deficits are about 6% of our total economy 6% of GDP […] It is absolutely critical that we begin to reduce our deficits and move down to about half of what the deficit is today as a percent of GDP […] I think it's really important to make that statement.”
Washington can debate whether it's a spending problem or a revenue problem. It's a math problem. We take in $5 trillion and spend $7 trillion. It's time to confront our nation's fiscal challenges and put America on a better trajectory. https://t.co/PfmRI5atGX
Wishing a meaningful Yom Kippur to all those observing in Pennsylvania’s 11th District and across the country. May this day of reflection and atonement bring peace and renewal.
Today is #NationalAppChallengeDay! STEM initiatives like the Congressional App Challenge are direct investments into the next generation of leaders and innovators. I encourage all young coders in the district to submit their apps by October 26. For more information, visit https://t.co/L4YpG3Vsvc
On this day in 1787, our Founders signed the United States Constitution in Philadelphia. For more than two centuries, the Constitution has served as the foundation of our republic, protecting our liberties and ensuring our government remains accountable to “We the People.” Happy Constitution Day!
WASHINGTON - Rep. Lloyd Smucker (PA-11), Vice Chair of the House Budget Committee, released the following statement after the Federal Reserve announced its decision to raise interest rates by one quarter point: "Chairman Warsh recently noted the strength and resilience of the American economy while acknowledging that inflation remains too high. I appreciate the Federal Reserve’s continued focus on restoring price stability while supporting a strong economy. "But today’s decision also underscores a challenge monetary policy cannot solve on its own: our nation’s unsustainable fiscal trajectory. At more than $40 trillion, our national debt puts upward pressure on interest rates and increases borrowing costs throughout the economy. Those higher rates, in turn, make it more expensive for the federal government to service its debt, adding to deficits and requiring still more borrowing. “Congress must do its part to break that cycle. Getting our fiscal house in order will help reduce pressure on interest rates, strengthen our economy and ensure more taxpayer dollars are available for our nation’s priorities rather than simply paying interest on past borrowing.” # # #
Families and small businesses should not be forced to pay the enormous energy costs created by new data centers. Period. That’s why I voted for the bipartisan Ratepayer Protection Act. The principle is simple: data centers should locate in communities that choose to host them, those communities should share in the economic benefits, and data centers should pay their own way. Read my full statement: https://t.co/ZiF5Gyb9c1
WASHINGTON—Rep. Lloyd Smucker (PA-11) voted in favor of the bipartisan Ratepayer Protection Act, H.R. 9340, legislation to protect families and small businesses from being forced to shoulder the infrastructure costs created by new data center development. The legislation was adopted by a bipartisan vote of 417-3. “America should lead the world in artificial intelligence, but we must ensure hardworking families and small businesses are not asked to subsidize the enormous energy demands of data centers,” said Rep. Smucker. “The principle is simple: data centers should be located in communities that choose to host them, those communities should share in the economic benefits they bring, and the data centers should pay their own way. The Ratepayer Protection Act will help ensure the companies driving the need for costly new energy infrastructure bear those costs, not existing ratepayers.” The legislation would require state utility commissions to consider standards ensuring data centers drawing more than 100 megawatts of power cover the full incremental costs of generation, transmission, and distribution upgrades needed to serve them. The approach preserves states’ authority over their electricity markets and protects families and small businesses. # # #
A big thank you to Scott T. of Lititz and his colleagues from the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network for visiting our Washington office to discuss federal funding for cancer research and bipartisan efforts to reduce barriers for patients enrolling in clinical trials. I appreciated hearing their stories and perspectives, and discussing ways we can continue supporting patients and families impacted by cancer.
25 years later, I still remember exactly where I was on September 11, 2001, and the moment we realized our country was under attack. We remember the nearly 3,000 innocent lives lost, the first responders who ran toward danger, the passengers and crew of Flight 93 who fought back here in Pennsylvania, and the servicemembers who answered our nation’s call. I also remember what followed: Americans came together. We prayed together, supported one another and remembered that whatever our differences, we are Americans first. As we mark 25 years since that tragic day, may we never forget the courage, service, faith and unity that followed.
Earlier this morning, preparations were underway at West Manheim Elementary School to mark the 25th anniversary of September 11. Seeing 3,000 American flags across the school grounds is a powerful reminder of the lives lost on that tragic day and of our promise to never forget. Thank you to the Exchange Club of Hanover and the many volunteers who worked to make this meaningful tribute possible.
Happy Labor Day! Today, we celebrate the workers who build, grow, make, serve, and strengthen our communities every day. Wishing everyone across Pennsylvania’s 11th District a safe and enjoyable holiday! https://t.co/3sYWGizuA7