U.S. Congressman Ryan Mackenzie

As I work to represent the people of the Greater Lehigh Valley in Congress, I want to be sure you're kept up to date. Find out how events in Washington will impact our region by subscribing to our newsletter today. mackenzie.house.gov/contact/newsle…

As the father of two young children, I know that family travel is a challenge. Every day, families are forced to move their children, bags, and bulky items through the same TSA lines used by solo travelers — adding an extra layer of stress, hassle, and delays for everyone. That’s why I was happy to see my bill, the Improving Travel for American Families Act, pass the House this week. This bill helps to take the pressure off parents by offering expedited access to screening, including by offering screening lanes reserved exclusively for families. Thank you to @valeriefoushee for joining us on this effort to support American families.

It was great joining the Parkland Garden Club for its 27th annual Star-Spangled Garden Tour. In recognition of the club's longtime work to support conservation and education in our communities, I presented them with a Congressional certificate. Congratulations to everyone at PGC for all your hard work.

Interested in public service? Applications are open for our Fall 2026 Internship Program! Interns in our Washington, D.C. and district offices gain firsthand experience serving constituents while working on legislative, communications, casework, and administrative projects. If you or someone you know is currently enrolled in college and at least 18 years old, I encourage you to apply. 🗓️ Application deadline: July 17 Learn more and apply here: mackenzie.house.gov/services/inter…

Thank you to @SecretaryTurner for joining us in Bethlehem to talk about our work to lower housing costs and invest in our communities. Housing prices skyrocketed in the Lehigh Valley after the pandemic, which is why we’re investing in real, long-term housing solutions that will deliver permanent price relief. 🏘️ Expanding tax credits for affordable housing in order to create over 1 million additional affordable housing units over the next decade. 📈 Strengthening opportunity zones and attracting new investments to underserved communities. 💵 Bringing resources home to support local housing needs, including $3.7 million for redevelopment in Catasauqua and $1 million for the Gateway on Fourth project in Bethlehem.

Congratulations to County Seat Spirits on earning national recognition at the 2026 American Distilling Institute International Spirits Competition! It was great visiting their Allentown distillery and seeing firsthand the craftsmanship and dedication that went into creating these award-winning spirits.

My team and I spent the July 4th weekend crisscrossing the Lehigh Valley and the Poconos to celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary. Thank you to the organizers, volunteers, and attendees from all across our community for making this an anniversary to remember.

As of Monday morning, several thousand residents of the Lehigh Valley and the Poconos continue to lack power. Here’s what you need to know: ⚡ Avoid downed power lines. If you live in PPL’s service area and encounter a downed line, please call 1-800-342-5775 and say "downed power line." 📅 Know the schedule. While most local residents have had their power restored, some of those impacted by more complex outages remain without power. PPL anticipates that power will be restored to all areas by Wednesday, July 8th, with many seeing earlier restorations. ℹ️ Stay informed. Get updates, report outages, and see the latest map by visiting stories.pplelectric.com/storm-updates/ 💵 Keep receipts for ice and gallons of water. PPL is offering reimbursement for up to three 10lb bags of ice and three gallons of water per day for those impacted. Thank you to the local lineworkers who are working around the clock to restore power to our community.

Honored to have joined nearly 40 of my colleagues from both sides of the aisle at Independence Hall recently to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary. The ceremony included a Congressional signing recognizing 250 years of American independence and a viewing of the America250 time capsule. Standing in the very place where our nation’s founding was debated and declared was a powerful reminder of the courage and vision that shaped our country. As we celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday, we reflect on the enduring legacy of those who founded our country here in Philadelphia.

Wishing everyone across the Lehigh Valley and the Poconos a happy 4th of July. Today, as we mark two-and-a-half centuries since our nation’s founding, we thank the generations of Americans who have defended our country and protected our communities. We also give special thanks to the servicemembers and first responders who are spending the day away from friends and family in order to do their duty. We owe this holiday to you and your work.

Today marks one year since I helped pass the Working Families Tax Cuts — securing tax relief for every American. That includes: ✅ Tax relief for tipped and overtime workers ✅ Increasing the Child Tax Credit from $1,000 to $2,200 ✅ A $6,000 bonus deduction for seniors ✅ Making the enhanced small business deduction permanent ✅ A $750 increase to the standard deduction for every American I’ll keep working to deliver the relief that the Lehigh Valley and the Poconos deserve.

All across the Lehigh Valley and the Poconos, communities are preparing to celebrate America 250! Visit our website to learn more about some of the events happening throughout our region: mackenzie.house.gov/services/celeb…

Dangerous heat is expected across the Lehigh Valley and the Poconos over the next several days, with heat index values climbing above 100 degrees. As you celebrate the Fourth of July holiday, remember to stay hydrated, limit time outdoors during the hottest part of the day, wear lightweight clothing, and check in on neighbors, family members, and friends who may be more vulnerable to extreme heat. If you're attending outdoor events, be sure to bring water, take breaks in the shade, and know the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. For more heat safety information, visit heat.gov

Thank you to the people of Beaver Meadows for inviting me to help mark our nation’s 250th anniversary. As we prepare for the 4th of July, communities all across the Lehigh Valley and the Poconos are uniting to celebrate our country and all those who have served it.

Families with children in the NICU face unique challenges during an already difficult time. It was great meeting with NICU Parent Network to hear their perspectives and learn more about their efforts to support infants and families across the country. Throughout my time in office, I’ve been working to ensure that mothers and babies get the care that they deserve during these critical moments. Having seen firsthand the impact of exceptional NICU care on our own family, I know how important that support can be during a difficult time. As a Pennsylvania State Representative, I led the charge to create our state’s first maternal mortality review committee. In the U.S. Congress, I introduced the Neonatal Care Transparency Act, which requires hospitals to disclose the gestational age at which they will attempt to provide lifesaving care to premature babies. I’ll keep working to make sure that mothers and babies get the lifesaving care that they deserve.

This week, I had the opportunity to welcome Congressional Art Competition winner Ella Chen to the U.S. Capitol. Her charcoal piece, Sweet Dreams, will be displayed in the Capitol alongside winning artwork from across the country for the next year. The creativity and talent of young artists across the Lehigh Valley and the Poconos is truly impressive, and I'm grateful to everyone who participated. Congratulations again to Ella!

Since becoming Chairman of the Workforce Protections Subcommittee, I've led two hearings examining the Federal Employees' Compensation Act and identifying commonsense reforms to improve the program. This week's committee action builds on that work. I'm glad to see two bipartisan bills I introduced advance out of @EdWorkforceCmte. Together, these bills strengthen data cross-matching so workers get the accurate amount they are entitled to, ensure health care providers convicted of fraud cannot continue receiving taxpayer dollars, and help protect benefits for the federal workers who rely on them.

Last night's fire in Allentown was a powerful reminder of the courage and dedication our firefighters demonstrate every day. Thank you to the Allentown Fire Department and the professional and volunteer firefighters from across the Lehigh Valley who responded to protect our community. We are grateful for your service and wish the injured firefighter a full and speedy recovery.