A life-long resident of Howard Township, Centre County, Pa., Congressman Glenn 'GT' Thompson represents Pennsylvania’s Fifteenth District in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Prior to being elected to Pennsylvania’s geographically largest congressional district, GT spent 28 years as a therapist, rehabilitation services manager, and a licensed nursing home administrator. Through his professional experiences, GT has touched the lives of thousands of individuals facing life-altering conditions. As a result, he has learned firsthand the importance of access to quality healthcare and has become a strong advocate for increased access, affordability, quality of care, and patient choice.
Agriculture is engrained in Pennsylvania’s heritage and has played an important role in our history. Today, agriculture continues to be Pennsylvania’s number one industry and remains the economic engine in many communities throughout the Commonwealth. Pennsylvania is home to a diverse array of commodities and products, including dairy, grains, vegetables, specialty crops, cattle, poultry, equines, wineries and a well-defined timber industry.
As a descendent of dairy farmers, I am proud to be the Republican Leader of the the House Agriculture Committee. The Farm Bill is the central law governing federal agriculture, rural and related nutrition programs, and remains vital for the success of our farmers and rural America. Oversight of this critical law allows us to improve federal policies that govern our nation’s agricultural sector and ensure the continuation of vital research and development of new technologies and processes that will assist our family farms into the 21st Century..
Key Issues
Farm Bill Implementation: In December of 2018, President Trump signed into law a new five-year farm bill. As the U.S. Department of Agriculture implements this new law, Congress will continue to provide essential oversight.
Rural Development: Rural Development is one of my top issues as a member of Congress and as a member of the Agriculture Committee. Creating jobs and expanding technology, such as broadband and cell phone coverage, is a major challenge that must be met in order to improve and sustain rural Pennsylvania.
USDA administers a variety of programs that are extremely beneficial to the 15th Congressional District and rural America. My offices in Bellefonte, Ebensburg and Oil City work with our constituents, local governments, and community organizations to help them receive this assistance in the form of grants, loans and technical assistance. For more information, please contact my Bellefonte office at (814) 353-0215, Ebensburg office at (814) 419-8583 or Oil City office at (814) 670-0432.
Dairy: With Pennsylvania ranking fourth in production among the states, dairy is the largest sector of Pennsylvania’s agricultural industry. Unfortunately, many dairy farmers around the nation have endured great difficulties in the past decade due to depressed prices and lower consumption.
The 2018 Farm Bill reworked the prior dairy Margin Protection Program (MPP) and replaced it with the Dairy Margin Coverage Program (DMC). Enrollment for DMC remains open until September 20, 2019. To learn more about this important program, visit the website of the Farm Service Agency (FSA).
Along with revamping the safety net, more must be done to promote the nutritional value that dairy provides. In 2010, legislation was passed by Congress and signed into law that prohibited nutritious varieties of milk from being served in the National School Lunch Program. As a result, milk consumption in schools plummeted since. To reverse this trend, I have introduced legislation that would provide schools the option to once again serve nutritious whole milk to kids.
Forest Products: Pennsylvania is blessed with some of the finest hardwood timber in the world. For generations, timber harvesting has been an economic engine throughout the region, while also serving a dual role of providing environmental and forest management benefits. In Pennsylvania’s 15th Congressional District, we need to look no further than our own Allegheny National Forest (ANF) to see firsthand how national forests can successfully operate for multiple uses.
More than a billion dollars in hardwoods and hardwood products are exported from the United States each year. Among the many products, forest goods range from furniture and musical instruments to flooring. As these markets continue to expand, it will be crucial to ensure there is proper management of our national forests. As a member of the Agriculture Committee, I will continue oversight of the U.S. Forest Service and the various forest-related programs administered by USDA.
If you have questions on my views on agriculture issues, please contact my Washington, D.C. office at (202) 225-5121.
The Allegheny National Forest (ANF) is Pennsylvania’s only National Forest, which spans across Forest, Elk, McKean and Warren counties. The ANF is among the most beautiful areas of Pennsylvania and has a rich and spirited history. During the 19th Century, a great deal of deforestation took place in the ANF. Fortunately, it has re-grown in the last 100 years and is now one of the most diverse forests in the country. Managed by the U.S. Forest Service within the Department of Agriculture, the forest was established in 1923 and is more than a half million acres in size.
The ANF is special for many reasons. The forest is multi-use, meaning it successfully combines forestry, recreation, tourism, timber harvesting and energy production. I believe all of these attributes offer a unique setting to benefit the entire Commonwealth. In the 116th Congress, I will continue to serve as a member of the Agriculture Committee, which has jurisdiction over the U.S. Forest Service and policies governing our national forests.
I believe the following points are crucial to ensure the longevity and sustainability of the ANF:
Increase Timber Harvesting and Management: Timber and hardwood products have long been an important part of the economic engine in the 15th District. Under longtime federal law, 25% of timber revenues generated on national forests are returned to the county of origin for essential public services. However, I remain concerned by the decreased amounts of board feet that have been produced across the national forest system in the past two decades. Increasing management activities, including harvesting, will better support our communities and overall forest health.
Support the Forest Service: The Forest Service manages the ANF and does great additional work in research and development. I believe it is essential for the forest to receive adequate funding in order to carry out these core functions. I am a strong advocate for the Service and for appropriate funding in order to support national forest regions and carry out the agency’s mission.
Continue Energy Production: In 1859, Colonel Edwin Drake drilled the world’s first commercial oil well in Titusville, Pennsylvania. As a result, northwestern PA played a critical role in American industrialization and the worldwide development of the petroleum industry. Due to the region’s history, the U.S National Park Service recognizes northwestern Pennsylvania as the Oil Region National Heritage Area.
With this history in mind, oil and gas production continues to be a major economic engine in the ANF and surrounding areas. However, unlike other national forests, some 93% of the mineral rights are owned by the private sector. Pennsylvania law guarantees mineral owners are provided with “reasonable access” to their property. As such, I will continue to support production in the ANF and the rights of mineral owners to access their property.
Increase Recreation and Tourism: As a former healthcare professional and Boy Scout Leader, I encourage the many benefits of outdoor recreation and physical activity. In Pennsylvania’s 15th Congressional District, we are blessed with an abundance of lands that can cater to some of the best outdoor experiences in the state. The ANF offers year-round activities such as camping, fishing, boating, hiking, biking, ATVing and snowmobiling. As your Member of Congress, I will continue to advocate on behalf of expanded recreation and tourism throughout our region.
The Congressional Career and Technical Education Caucus is a bipartisan group of Representatives committed to supporting and promoting CTE. Co-chaired by Reps. Jim Langevin (D-RI) and Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson (R-PA), the caucus is comprised of members of Congress representing constituents from across the United States and transcends the ideological spectrum.
Education serves an important role in both our lives and in our society. Working to ensure access to high quality and affordable education for more students, including those in our rural communities, has been a fundamental priority of mine in Congress. I have been proud to serve on the House Committee on Education & the Workforce and was appointed by House Speaker Paul Ryan to serve on the committee tasked with settling the differences between the House and Senate versions of the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015. This law replaces No Child Left Behind and will prepare students for the 21st century economy, empower parents to get out of the bleachers and back in the classrooms, and allow dedicated educators to teach and inspire our future generations.
The recent economic downturn is a reminder of how critically important education and training opportunities are to students and workers in an increasingly competitive global economy. That's why I believe strengthening and expanding our skilled workforce is paramount to preserving our nation’s technical job base and remaining globally competitive. Throughout my time in Congress, I have served on the Congressional Career and Technical Education (CTE) Caucus, to advocate one of the most important and effective ways for our communities to produce a well-educated and skilled workforce in the United States. I now serve as Co-Chairman of the CTE Caucus, and during the current Congress our goals remain the same – to enhance awareness in Congress of the importance of career and technical education and advance policies that improve skilled labor education and support tech-related small business job growth.
Affordable energy is vital to our economy and national security. High energy costs slow job growth, increase the costs to industries and of products, and squeezes household budgets. In rural Pennsylvania, affordable energy is critical for heating and cooling our homes, transportation, and for businesses and industries to remain productive.
For decades we have imported the majority of our energy supplies from foreign nations. As this continues, we have become part of the largest shift of wealth in history, as we send billions of dollars overseas every year. Even more troubling is the fact that a large percentage of this trade deficit has been going to unstable countries which are hostile towards the United States and our ideals.
I believe that we must make energy a priority and take bold action to protect our economy, national security and the environment. While there is not a silver bullet solution that will put us on that track overnight, I will remain committed to providing resources and outreach in the community, while continuing to advocate for:
Increases in Domestic Production of Fossil Fuels: Lands onshore and offshore contain significant amounts of natural gas, petroleum, and coal that can fuel our energy needs for centuries. Approximately 85% of our energy usage comes from fossil fuels, whereas renewables currently comprise about 6%. Even with continued heavy government funding for renewables, fossil fuels will have to play a significant role in our energy use in the coming years. I believe that it is essential that we utilize more of our own domestic supplies of traditional energy sources while we continue to develop alternative sources and a bridge toward the future.
Research in Alternative and Renewable Fuels: Congress has an obligation to assist in bringing renewable sources of fuel to fruition. Alternatives such as wind, solar and hydropower have great potential, but unfortunately they currently only make up a fraction of our overall energy usage. Congress has been doing much to accelerate these sources, and I will support appropriate legislation that will continue to responsibly expand all alternative and renewable forms of energy.
Improvement to Existing Sources: The key to our energy independence rests upon the expansion of nuclear, clean coal, natural gas, and biofuels. The United States has a 250 year supply of coal and I believe that we should do more to increase our clean coal technology. Technological enhancements will only further extend the life span of this resource. We also have an abundance of forest lands that contain vast amounts of wood waste, which can be converted into woody biomass energy sources. Woody biomass has great potential in Pennsylvania and burns cleaner than most other fuels. We must utilize natural gas in the Marcellus shale. Expansion combined with research and development will bring energy costs down for consumers and industries and for the enormous number of products that require natural gas as a feedstock.
Increase Conservation, Weatherization, and Energy Efficiencies: Our energy supplies must be increased, but with any comprehensive energy plan we also must identify new ways of conservation and efficiencies. Higher fuel standards are a good start, coupled with tax credits and technological advancements in efficiency we can encourage consumers and industry to use less energy overall. The industrial sector is the largest consumer of energy and through new technologies and retrofitting existing machinery savings will be substantial. Congress can only do so much to encourage less consumption, but conscious and simple changes in our individual routines can go a long way to save energy. Two of the simplest examples are turning down the thermostat when not home or turning off the lights when not using a room. This has the two-fold effect of saving the consumer money, but also using less energy.
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 we face in healthcare and advance these same principles.
On March 25, 2010, Congress passed sweeping legislation that seeks to fundamentally realign our nation’s health care system. This massive health care overhaul—a remake of one-sixth of our economy—will exacerbate the very problems this reform effort sought to address. I actually sat down and read all 2,000 pages of the healthcare bill. As I read through the measure, I became increasingly alarmed at the level of control over an individual’s health that would be vested in the federal government. Since passage of this bill, my worst nightmares have become a reality as the law’s implementation continues to drive up costs, saddle small businesses with burdensome regulations, and imposes unfunded mandates on the Commonwealth, by shifting costs from the federal government to the states. We must repeal this law and move forward with commonsense reforms that will improve our nation’s healthcare system and provide even greater access to more Americans.
During the 115th Congress, I introduced several pieces of legislation that offered real reform to key areas of healthcare and care delivery. I formally introduced H.R. 1041, the Fairness in Medicare Bidding Act, deficit neutral legislation to fix the Medicare Durable Medical Equipment Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) competitive bidding program. Created under the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003, the DMEPOS program’s goal is to create cost savings. However, both provider and consumer groups have illustrated problems with the program, which will force smaller suppliers from the market, threaten Medicare beneficiaries’ quality of care and ultimately drive up costs. We must allow for a marketplace where seniors have quality and choice and smaller, local providers are competing to deliver these supplies.
Pennsylvania is uniquely positioned to play a major role in energy production in the coming decades because of the Marcellus Shale Natural Gas Play. Many believe that the Marcellus contains upwards of 500 trillion cubic feet of clean burning natural gas; and may be the largest unconventional natural gas play in the world. This equates to generations of natural gas production in Pennsylvania and the potential for long-term economic growth for the Commonwealth. In addition, the Utica Shale formation rests below, and the Upper Devonian layer can be found above the Marcellus. If developed properly, the Marcellus Shale on its own has the potential to revitalize our region, create massive new wealth, significant increases in tax revenue, and bring Pennsylvania out of our economic slump and into prosperity. This is not short term development – and we will continue to need the appropriate regulatory support. I have been active in engaging regulators, producers, landowners and institutions such as Penn State in order to work with the community and educate people on the potential of this vast resource.
In Congress, I serve co-chairman of the Natural Gas Caucus, which is a bipartisan group of Members dedicated to championing the use of clean, plentiful, domestic natural gas. This group is committed to informing and educating Members of Congress and the American people about this clean-burning domestic fuel and new technologies, such as horizontal and directional drilling, which have vastly expanded America’s access to this bountiful natural resource. The practice of horizontal drilling provides significant benefits by reducing the footprint of oil and gas production and allowing for directional drilling in order to leave areas of environmental concern undisturbed. Because of horizontal drilling, the Marcellus has become technologically and economically viable. And because of this technology, operators can drill upwards of five to eight horizontal wells in the Marcellus from a single well pad.
Discovering environmentally-friendly ways to produce natural gas and explore the ways natural gas can help meet our country’s energy needs is fundamentally important in charting our nation’s path to energy security.
America's overseas combat operations are extremely important to our national security. I am the proud father of an Army Infantryman who was wounded in combat during his 2008 tour in Iraq. After being elected, I was fortunate to travel to Iraq and Afghanistan, to further learn from the experiences of these brave men and women. From this fact finding mission, I believe that it remains critical that Congress continue to adequately provide resources for our troops serving in harm's way. Similarly, all veterans deserve our greatest respect and thanks for their many sacrifices and honorable service. Supporting the military and our veterans will remain among my highest priorities in Congress.
Each year, I hold Veterans Outreach, which consists of a series of events designed to offer local area Veterans direct contact with and support from federal agencies through a series of informational seminars and town hall meetings in locations across the Fifth District. During the events, representatives from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) are available to offer information for Veterans on health care benefits, readjustment benefits, continuing education, new programs, and housing assistance programs. Those who’ve served our nation with dignity have earned and deserve these services and I intend to honor this commitment by providing the best care and support possible for our Veterans.
Throughout my service in Congress I have always supported legislation that ensures our active duty service members have the tools they need to successfully defend our country. The Obama Administration reduced the size of our military and cut funding for key programs, which has left our military underfunded, undersized and underpaid. In December of 2016, I voted in favor of The National Defense Authorization Act for FY2017, which will reverse these drawdowns and provide the military with the necessary funding they need to operate at their full capacity. This bill has since been signed into Public Law and will provide service members with a 2.1 percent pay raise, improve the strength of our Armed Forces by increasing ground and aviation training standards and supports ongoing operations to fight the War on Terror and support our allies across the globe.
When our veterans return home, it is our responsibility to provide them with the best care possible. I have introduced and cosponsored numerous pieces of legislation to ensure they receive this care in a timely manner. As a former health care professional, I will always advocate for the needs of our veterans and cast my vote to improve their access to affordable and effective healthcare.
The sacrifices of our nation’s service members must never be taken for granted. One such example is SPC Ross A. McGinnis from Knox, Pennsylvania. Ross sacrificed his life to save his fellow soldiers while on patrol in Iraq in 2006. He saw an insurgent throw a grenade into his vehicle as he was manning the mounted-machine gun, and, without regard for his own life, threw his body on the grenade. Ross’s actions saved the lives of four others that day and posthumously earned him our nation’s highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor.
I was proud to introduce legislation that dedicated the Post Office in Knox, Pennsylvania as the “Specialist Ross A. McGinnis Memorial Post Office” to commemorate the life and service of SPC McGinnis. This legislation was passed by Congress and signed by the President in 2016, and in October we held the dedication ceremony. Although this action pales in comparison to Ross’s sacrifice, it will serve as a constant reminder to all who enter that service to our country and others is of the highest importance.
As your Member of Congress, I will continue to work to provide the best care and services for our service members and veterans. For more information concerning my work and legislative inititatives in this area, please click on the links below and to the right, or feel free to contact my Washington, D.C. office.
Information about the bipartisan Congressional Natural Gas Caucus, Co-Chaired by U.S. Representatives Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson, Gene Green (D-TX), Bill Johnson (R-OH) and Jim Costa (D-CA).
During the 115th Congress, U.S. Representatives Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson (R-PA), Gene Green (D-TX), Bill Johnson (R-OH) and Jim Costa (D-CA) will be co-chairs of the Congressional Natural Gas Caucus, a bipartisan effort to educate Members of Congress and the American people about the importance of natural gas as a domestic energy resource, its role in meeting the nation's energy demand and in attaining energy security.
“The United States has been witnessing an energy revolution through which natural gas development is offering economic growth, lower energy costs, and a vastly expanded energy resource base. The Congressional Natural Gas Caucus will serve as a forum to educate Members of Congress and the public on the growing importance of natural gas in meeting the nation’s energy needs and explore the policy challenges that must be leveraged for American consumers and domestic industries to continue benefiting from this abundant, low-cost energy source.” - Rep. Glenn 'GT' Thompson (R-PA), Natural Gas Caucus Co-Chairman.
