Daniel Meuser · TranslatePolitics.com

House of Representatives

Main Street Capital Access Act

2026-07-21

“I want to say my bill is good. It helps community banks give loans. That is good for regular people. It helps families buy houses. It helps small businesses. Our government made it hard for small banks. We want to change that. The other side did bad things. We want to stop those bad things. Our bill fixes problems. Please vote yes.”

Official Congressional Record

Mr. Speaker, I commend our chairman, French Hill, for his excellent leadership. I do rise in support of the very appropriately named Main Street Capital Access Act introduced by Chairman Hill and Subcommittee Chairman Barr. The legislation does exactly what it says. It supports access to capital for Main Street. At the start of this Congress, Chairman Hill said one of our Committee's priorities was to make community banking great again. Since then, we have advanced the package of bills before us that is the largest community bank deregulatory reform effort since the 1990s. Mr. Speaker, 20 years ago, community banks financed 65 percent of home loans in this country. Today, it is less than 30 percent. This bill helps reverse that trend. It lowers capital hurdles so new community banks can form, and it tailors bank regulations so small and midsize banks are regulated fairly. These changes allow banks to extend more mortgages, be more competitive on small business loans, and improve access to credit for all Americans. This is a housing bill, a small business bill, an affordability bill, and an access to capital bill. Importantly, the bill also includes legislation to codify President Trump's executive order preventing debanking, such as my bill, the SAFE Guidance Act, which affirms guidance does not have the effect of law. Both guidance and reputational risk were weaponized under previous administrations to debank legitimate, legal businesses. This bill corrects those wrongs. This legislation supports community banks, protects Main Street across the country, and I urge support.

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House of Representatives

Take Care of America's Veterans Act

2026-07-16

“I want this bill to pass. Veterans should get their benefits. We should spend money on them. I don't like people who are against this bill. I want to say they are against veterans. This bill also gives money to a lot of groups. That is good. I don't want the government to take money from some veterans. I like when the government spends more money on veterans.”

Official Congressional Record

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Bost for his leadership. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Take Care of America's Veterans Act. Our veterans answered the call to serve, sacrificed on behalf of this country, and defended the freedoms every American enjoys. They have earned a Department of Veterans Affairs that delivers the care, benefits, and support that they were promised without unnecessary delays or bureaucratic obstacles, and that includes community care, Mr. Speaker. That is one of the aversions and obstacles and reasons for opposition because Democrats are pretty much against community care initiatives. This bipartisan package brings together more than 60 commonsense proposals that truly make this happen. And by the way, it is supported by The American Legion, Military Officers Association of America, Wounded Warrior Project, Elizabeth Dole Foundation, Korean War Veterans Association, Vietnam Veterans of America, AMVETS, Gold Star Spouses of America, and the list goes on. Very importantly, it includes the Major Richard Star Act. Voting against this bill is voting against the Major Richard Star Act, which ends the unfair wounded veterans tax for eligible combat-injured retirees. These veterans were medically retired because their service was cut short by injuries sustained defending our country. They should not be forced to give up a portion of their military retirement pay simply because they also receive VA disability compensation. This bill corrects that injustice. It also strengthens access to community care, as mentioned, and mental health treatment. It allows military widows to remarry and maintain their benefits. It cuts through the VA red tape and strengthens the claims appeals processes. This is not about a cutting of benefits. It is about advancing services with some modernization initiatives, as well. We owe our veterans more than the words of gratitude. We owe them this action. We owe them the Take Care of America's Veterans Act.

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House of Representatives

Moment of Silence Honoring Michael Pahira

2026-07-14

“A man from my district died. He was a state trooper. A truck hit him. The driver was here illegally. He should not have been driving a truck. We should pass a law. The law will make it harder to get a truck driver's license. You must read English. You must be here legally. We will not forget Trooper Pahira.”

Official Congressional Record

Mr. Speaker, I rise alongside my colleagues with a heavy heart with the Pennsylvania delegation to honor the courageous life and tragic loss of Pennsylvania State Trooper Michael Pahira who was killed earlier this month in the line of duty. Trooper Michael Pahira was born and raised in my district. He was named for his father, Michael Sr., and was known as Mikey throughout his life. Trooper Pahira graduated from North Schuylkill Junior/Senior High School in 2001 where he was a standout football and wrestling star. After attending East Stroudsburg University, Michael answered the call of service and entered the Pennsylvania State Police Academy, graduating in 2007 as a proud member of 124th Cadet Class of Pennsylvania State Troopers. Over the next two decades, Trooper Pahira would serve his State with distinction protecting communities in Lehighton, Schuylkill Haven, and Frackville. I attended the funeral service for Trooper Pahira last week alongside his parents, Michael Sr. and Patricia; his sister, Jennifer; and thousands of community members; fellow police officers; friends, and law enforcement from throughout the State who gathered to honor his legacy. The stories shared by those who knew him best painted the picture of a man of character, humility, and unwavering dedication. Respect was a constant theme throughout the service. Trooper Pahira lived a life defined by respect for his community, his family, and his fellow troopers. We can honor the memory of Trooper Pahira and show more respect for the men and women of law enforcement and the communities they serve by implementing some commonsense legislation that can prevent such senseless tragedies from happening again. On the morning of July 1, Trooper Pahira was on duty conducting a routine commercial vehicle inspection on Route 81 in Schuylkill County when a truck driven by a Michael Bon struck and killed him. Bon was in the country illegally, ordered to deport, did not do so, and was operating a commercial vehicle with a nondomiciled commercial driver's license issued by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. I am calling on every Member of Congress to support Dalilah's Law to bring common sense and strength in commercial driver's license requirements, ensuring those with commercial driver's licenses can read English and are in the United States with legal status. It is our duty to do all we can to provide such safety for law enforcement and everyone on America's roadways. Trooper Pahira faithfully served the people of Pennsylvania for nearly two decades, and his sacrifice will never be forgotten. On behalf of the entire Pennsylvania delegation, I want to offer our deepest sorrow and condolences to the Pahira family; his lifelong friends; the great, brave Pennsylvania State Troopers; and all those mourning Mikey's loss. In honor of Trooper Michael Pahira's life of service, I ask my colleagues to join us in a moment of silence.

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