Rep. Glenn Thompson, Republican, Incumbent Candidate for U.S. Congress - 15th PA District

Most of America has been worried about gas and groceries over the past four years. Since 2021, Pennsylvanians have seen beef prices rise by 25%, bread prices by 29%, and eggs by a whopping 74%. While some would like to blame corporate greed and look to promote national price controls as the solution, these soundbites ignore reality. The cost of materials, labor, transportation, state and federal regulations, and taxes all impact what families pay. Price increases have been a result of staggering inflation caused in-part by massive deficit spending in the first half of the Biden-Harris Administration. This has been on top of an increased regulatory environment, supply chain disruptions, and a drop in labor markets post pandemic, each coinciding with increased consumer demands. It’s been a perfect storm, but there is a light ahead. We must enact fiscal policies that reduce overall spending while paying down the debt. While America has a robust safety net to help our neighbors in need, we can better promote pro-growth policies and remove barriers to work, which will put people in a position to fill one of the 7.67 million available jobs. Whether it’s production agriculture putting food on the table, or energy development powering industry, our homes, and cars - lower taxes, fewer unnecessary regulations, and more freedom for workers will provide real relief to American families. I’m truly blessed to work for a lot of really smart people. Many know the choice this November is between higher prices and handouts or unlocking America’s true economic potential.

Record inflation coupled with higher interest rates have made homeownership challenging for many people. In our region, one of the hardships associated with positive population and economic growth is that we continue to experience shortages in affordable housing for young families, seniors, and those living with disabilities. I have long supported the Community Development Block Grant and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's HOME program. These block grants help municipalities and local governments leverage funds to improve the quality of life for residents and expand the supply of decent, affordable housing options in our region.

Prior to being elected to Congress, I spent 28 years as a therapist, rehabilitation services manager and a licensed nursing home administrator. As a result, I've learned firsthand the importance of access to quality healthcare in rural communities and have become a strong advocate for increased access, affordability, quality of care, and patient choice. I came to Washington to help address the many challenges and we have had great success by passing legislation to enhance telemedicine to serve our veterans and rural populations.

We have an unprecedented crisis on our southern border, which the Biden-Harris Administration has largely ignored, despite millions illegally entering our country over the past four years. Having taken the time to visit the border on many occasions, I can tell you that we have many challenges, from the humanitarian crisis affecting young children, to the thousands of convicted criminals who are walking freely through the country. We didn't have these numbers during the Trump Administration and leadership starts at the top. The solution is to enforce the law. As Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, I have also convened the first ever bipartisan Agricultural Labor Working Group, to address the root causes to the lack of available domestic workforce. This brought Republican and Democrat Members of Congress to the table. More than 15 proposals were supported unanimously to address reforms to the non-immigrant H-2A visa process that makes the process easier for farmers, workers and producers.

My position on life has always been clear: you can't be a champion for the future of this great country if you are going to limit its potential. It is my belief that every child, every human life, is sacred and has a purpose in this world. With that said, the Dobbs decision from the U.S. Supreme Court more than two years ago returned this power to the states. We have seen very little change in Pennsylvania, within exception of a lawsuit taking on the validity of the Pennsylvania Abortion Control Act as it pertains to prohibitions on Medicaid funded abortions. I have long held the position that taxpayer funds should not be used to subsidize abortions and for 42 years prior the Commonwealth had supported abortion alternatives for expectant mothers that included comprehensive health services, parental support, and adoption services. It seems to me that in a state where we are losing population at an alarming rate, these services would now be welcomed more than ever.

Despite being a gun owner, avid sportsman and hunter, I took an oath to uphold the constitution. My support for your second amendment rights is unwavering. I have long believed the way to best address gun violence is to enforce the laws we have in the books and for prosecutors to hold criminals accountable. These challenges are not going to be solved in Washington, but rather by local communities working in tandem with law enforcement to get illegal guns off the streets. I will continue to do my part to ensure that law enforcement receives the federal support they need and deserve.

As Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, my colleagues and I have introduced a variety of climate focused bills to improve forest management, increase access to precision agriculture, restore soil health practices, and produce responsible energy and conservation incentives. I am working everyday to craft innovative solutions by empowering the stewards of our land - the farmers, ranchers, and foresters. These science-based policies will help promote a a stronger agricultural economy by growing climate-friendly innovations. We cannot sacrifice a healthy economy for a healthy environment and vice versa. Natural solutions work and we know that producers are part of the solution, not the problem.

Hamas is a terrorist organization, which attacked and killed more than 1,200 innocent civilians on October 7, 2023. More than a year later more than 100 known hostages remain in Gaza, including four American citizens. This is unacceptable. While peace talks initially resulted in a ceasefire, it was Hamas who broke that agreement. With continued hostilities from Iran and its proxies, Israel is fighting for its existence. America could be doing more to support Israel and the tone from the Biden-Harris Administration has been one more of appeasement for the Iranian regime than to our longest standing ally in the Middle East.

I believe discrimination of any kind is abhorrent. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled to extend federal protections to individuals based upon sexual orientation and gender identity, in addition to race, color, or creed. The Supreme Court also settled the issue of marriage in 2015. Sex specific sports were created to make up for the undeniable biological differences between males and females. For more than 50 years Title IX increased athletic opportunities for females by more than 1000% in high school and 614% at the post secondary level. I supported the Protection of Girls and Women in Sports Act to ensure this progress doesn't backslide and so biological females can compete on a level playing field with having their rights to privacy remain intact. This was in direct response to the Biden-Harris Administration's proposals to remove these longstanding protections for women and girls in sports.

Throughout my time in Congress, I have consistently worked in a bipartisan manner to achieve common ground and consensus that has proven results. I credit my career in health care and volunteer experiences, whether through scouting, as an EMT and firefighter, or on local school board. Each experience provided me the opportunity to work with people from all walks of life. I believe the constituents expect this from their voice in Washington, and I remain humbled by their continued support - whether Republican, Democrat or Independent.