Congressman Matt Cartwright

01/18/2021

Dr. King reminded us that true peace comes when all citizens are treated fairly, with dignity, and with respect. We remember his legacy as we continue his fight for equality for all Americans today. #MLKDay

01/15/2021

Being a parent of young children amid the pandemic is hard. Caring for them when they have a complex medical condition is even harder. I'm always amazed at the way our community rallies around each other in times of need.
https://www.pahomepage.com/top-stories/community-helps-2-year-old-needing-open-heart-surgery/

01/15/2021

Still need to sign up for health insurance? Today is the LAST day to enroll for 2021 coverage through pennie.com. Shop for plans, find financial assistance options and get the coverage you and your family need. #GetCovered

01/15/2021

This is the comprehensive national plan we need to defeat COVID-19. We are approaching 400,000 American lives lost to this virus as unemployment claims soar. Joe Biden’s American Rescue Package tackles both the public health and economic crises brought on by the pandemic.

This plan enhances important direct relief lifelines I have advocated for, like housing and food assistance, small business aid, funding to keep local police and first responders on payroll, and it honors our commitment to delivering the remaining $1,400 direct payments to struggling Americans, bringing their total stimulus to $2,000 as it should have been from the start. This proposal will also help us get back to normal faster with investments in coordinated vaccine distribution, testing and emergency response. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I look forward to getting to work with my colleagues and delivering this aid as soon as possible.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2021/01/14/biden-stimulus-covid-relief/

01/14/2021

Cartwright Meeting on Federal Funding for Scranton-Lackawanna Head Start

I'll be joined by the Executive Director of the Scranton-Lackawanna Human Development Agency and a former Head Start parent to announce federal funding headed to Scranton-Lackawanna Head Start and our work to make sure they can continue educating young children for years to come.

01/14/2021

Volunteers sought to transport the elderly to vaccination sites

Northeastern Pennsylvanians continue to display what it means to be a good neighbor amid a global pandemic. Thank you to the Luzerne County Care Commissions in their efforts to make the vaccine more accessible to eligible recipients.

For more information on PA’s vaccine distribution, visit: http://bit.ly/3oJmHJ9

https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/volunteers-sought-to-transport-the-elderly-to-vaccination-sites/article_10c72390-ad36-5efa-abff-a80e8cca0bab.html

If you can drive to a COVID-19 vaccination site and want to help those who cannot get there on their own, the Luzerne County Cares Commission is looking for you.

01/13/2021

Cartwright Meeting on Federal Funding for Scranton-Lackawanna Head Start

I'll be joined by the Executive Director of the Scranton-Lackawanna Human Development Agency and a former Head Start parent to announce federal funding headed to Scranton-Lackawanna Head Start and our work to make sure they can continue educating young children for years to come.

01/13/2021

The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have been rigorously tested and proven to be safe and effective. PA is currently in Phase 1A of #COVID19 vaccine distribution, and here's what that means 👇

For more info on PA's vaccine distribution, visit https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Pages/Vaccine.aspx#distro

01/13/2021

What a great idea for a #COVID19 fundraiser! Proud of our community for coming together to support the first responders who keep us safe.
https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/lackawanna-county/grocery-store-shopping-spree-brings-much-needed-fundraiser-to-local-fire-department/523-826700f2-464c-49d6-9daa-413bd0328aa0

01/12/2021

#PPP loan applications are back open for small businesses that have been hit hard by the pandemic. We expanded eligibility and made the program more flexible to better meet businesses' unique needs. Visit my website to learn more. https://cartwright.house.gov/issues/issue/?IssueID=107363#PPP

01/11/2021

Having reliable, affordable health insurance is more important than ever during the COVID-19 pandemic. Pennsylvanians, visit https://pennie.com/ to get covered by Friday, January 15!

01/11/2021

Democrats and Republicans have called for the President to step down.

Since it's clear at this point he will not, I urge Vice President Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment. If it becomes necessary, I will support articles of impeachment this week.

01/11/2021

Hey Folks—my team and I want to hear from you. Will you take this 1 minute survey to share how we can best support you and your family? https://cartwright.house.gov/forms/form/?ID=2636

01/09/2021

This week, the president incited a rampage on our Capitol that attempted to disrupt one of our core Constitutional processes. While the attack went on he delayed for 90 minutes approving the National Guard’s rescue of the overrun Capitol Police.

This is intolerable & unacceptable behavior by an American president. I join those calling for his immediate resignation. My full statement 🔽

01/08/2021

Jobs Report Shows Economy Backsliding as Pandemic Worsens: Live Updates

Today's jobs report is further evidence that we need stronger #COVID19 relief to support our struggling workers and small businesses. I know our friends and neighbors in #NEPA are hurting, and I will keep fighting for stronger relief to help us recover & get back to work. https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/01/08/business/us-economy-coronavirus#december-2020-jobs-report

LiveUpdated Jan. 8, 2021, 9:48 a.m. ETJan. 8, 2021, 9:48 a.m. ETJobs Report Shows Economy Backsliding as Pandemic Worsens: Live UpdatesRIGHT NOWMarkets continue to climb, shaking off a grim jobs report. Job growth reversed for the first time since April Cumulative change in all jobs since before the...

01/07/2021

Electoral College Confirmation

As representatives from the cradle of American democracy, my PA colleagues and I defended the choice the people of our Commonwealth made in this election and ensured it was honored. In the face of yesterday's troubling events, this was about our oath to support and defend the American Constitution. After Congress’s confirmation of the electoral college votes from all 50 states, I look forward to working with Joe Biden as the next President of the United States.

01/06/2021

Just want to mark myself as safe. Couple of dicey moments this afternoon for sure but my staff and I are safe. Great thanks for our terrific Capitol Police.

01/06/2021

The people have spoken, and our independent judiciary has affirmed the election results. It’s time for us to come together and count the certified electoral votes in keeping with our Constitution, which all Members of Congress swore to support and defend. https://cartwright.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=391462

01/05/2021

Congress has provided $20 billion to ensure this key business relief program can stay active through 2021. If you're a business owner and have questions about applying, my team is ready to help. Find out how to get in touch with us: https://cartwright.house.gov/contact/

https://fox56.com/news/local/sba-extends-covid-19-economic-injury-disaster-loan

01/04/2021

Opening of the 117th Congress

In case you missed it: I joined Fox News yesterday to discuss the opening of the 117th Congress and what I’m looking forward to getting done in 2021.

01/04/2021

I’m honored to be sworn in to the 117th Congress today & serve PA-8 for a 5th term. I will continue to be a voice for everyone in NEPA, help us recover from the COVID crisis and work toward realizing the fundamental American promise of opportunity for all. https://cartwright.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=391460

01/01/2021

We begin 2021 with hope. I resolve to make sure we come back stronger than before by fighting for more economic relief for those who are struggling, connecting our local leaders with more federal investment opportunities, and attracting more and better jobs to NEPA. #HappyNewYear

12/31/2020

I am humbled by the trust that Northeastern Pennsylvanians placed in us to help during a year more challenging than most of us have ever endured. I look forward to continue serving you in 2021.

12/31/2020

We extend our deepest condolences, thoughts, and prayers to the family of Firefighter Stephen Sunday and the Scranton Fire Department.

12/29/2020

Daybreak, and headed home. Coming to the end of a terrible year. The shocking toll of lives lost, the businesses in ruin or close to it, and our spirits as low as I’ve seen them, everywhere. But we’ve come together as Americans to pass significant new relief, give our warfighters a raise, and start to tackle the tough problems facing the nation. My eyes are fixed on the light at the end of this tunnel: 2021.

12/28/2020

Tonight I voted YES to boost COVID relief stimulus checks from $600 to $2,000. These payments would help Americans take care of basic expenses and boost our economy as we look toward the end of this pandemic. The Senate should join us in passing this critical assistance.

12/28/2020

Cartwright Bill to Improve Schools’ Energy Efficiency Enacted

At a time when schools are using costly alternative education methods amid the pandemic, they need to put every dollar that they can toward teaching and instruction. I’m proud to have enacted my bill to help schools cut their energy costs, allowing them to dedicate more resources to educational priorities.

Today, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright (PA-08) announced that his Streamlining Energy Efficiency for Schools Act (H.R. 762), was enacted into law yesterday. Cartwright’s bill will help schools cut costs and improve energy efficiency in their facilities.

12/28/2020

Government funding and COVID relief has been enacted, but it’s not enough, and our work isn’t done. Today, I’ll vote to raise the stimulus checks from $600 to $2000.

12/25/2020

After a challenging year, I hope this Christmas brings you peace. Be safe and well, everyone. On behalf of the Cartwright team, #MerryChristmas!

12/24/2020

I support upping the stimulus checks to $2,000 and I will vote for that. It’s a worldwide pandemic, and it’s raging worse than ever. We have lost more Americans than died in combat in World War II. Our economy is absolutely staggering right now, and people and small businesses — our friends and neighbors — are suffering badly. We just can’t have economic restrictions without realistic economic relief. My hope is that Sen. McConnell relents and agrees to this.

12/22/2020

I’ve heard from a number of people recently who are waiting on lifesaving medications & supplies because USPS is significantly delayed. Again.

The Postal Service needs to answer for how they are going to improve their delivery standards, because lives depend on it. My letter 👇

12/22/2020

The government funding bills for the upcoming year provide $15 million in Appalachian Regional Commission funds specifically for our area - a big increase of $10 million over last year.

I fight for robust funding for the Appalachian Regional Commission every year during the appropriations process because it supports job creation and economic development in our area. And I work with great partners like
Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance and NEPIRC who help get it done. Here's a recent example 🔽

12/22/2020

I'm proud that the fiscal year 2021 funding bills include $33.5 million for Assistance to Coal Mining Communities like ours in NEPA, a $3.5 million increase over FY20.

This economic development program helps us with projects like this substance abuse treatment center at SCI Waymart.

12/22/2020

Congressman Matt Cartwright

Last night, the House passed funding bills for the next fiscal year. They are the product of months of work on the Appropriations Committee, and they invest in jobs, economic development, health care, education & more. It's a big bill and there's a lot to unpack, but they include several wins for NEPA that I fought for as a committee member: One is that we've secured $87.5 million for the Chesapeake Bay program, which issues grants to pay for stormwater projects that keep our waterways clean. Funding from this program can help mitigate local stormwater fees in Luzerne County. This is a $2.5 million increase over last year.

There are more; follow me here as I break them down throughout the day. https://www.facebook.com/CongressmanMattCartwright

Proudly representing Pennsylvania's 8th Congressional District. For more information, please use my official website: http://cartwright.house.gov/ and follow me on twitter @RepCartwright

12/21/2020

Cartwright Statement on Coronavirus Relief and Government Funding Compromise

Seven months after the House passed the Heroes Act coronavirus relief bill that prioritized frontline workers, families, small businesses and older Americans, we have a negotiated agreement that falls short in many ways. But House negotiators fought for and won important battles to make sure aid reaches people who are struggling, and big corporations can be held accountable for keeping people safe. I will vote to pass it.

In addition to stimulus checks, enhanced unemployment, rental assistance to help landlords and tenants, and food aid - things Leader McConnell stood opposed to for months - this compromise also includes priorities For The People like funds for equitable vaccine distribution, relief for our smallest businesses, investments in broadband in rural places, education and child care support, and my bill to help schools modernize their ventilation systems.

There is no question that many of the lifelines in this bill needed to be stronger, but it is time for us to come together to fund the government for the next fiscal year and deliver long overdue aid to the people we serve, who for months have been looking to us for help during this painful crisis. Find my full statement and more info on the bill:

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright (PA-08) made the following statement ahead of consideration of a bipartisan House-Senate compromise coronavirus relief and government funding bill, on which he will vote to pass on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. The vote is ex...