Lloyd Smucker wants to reignite the American Dream. He believes this can be achieved by working to increase economic opportunity for everyone, reining in Washington’s out-of-control spending, and providing regulatory relief to small businesses so they can expand and create jobs.
Prior to being elected to Congress, Rep. Smucker owned and operated the Smucker Company for 25 years, and grew the small business to eventually employ more than 150 people.
He served two terms in the Pennsylvania State Senate where he chaired the Committee on Education. In that capacity, he pioneered reforms to increase accountability in education spending and worked to ensure Pennsylvania students had access to quality education. Rep. Smucker led the charge to hold elected officials accountable by proposing reforms to the ethics guidelines. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, he made it a priority to rein in spending and built a reputation as an independent-minded conservative who seeks creative solutions to complex problems.
Congressman Smucker introduced the bipartisan VA Billing Accountability Act (H.R. 1972) to relieve veterans of financial burdens caused by delays at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This legislation brings more stability and financial security to veterans’ post-military lives, by ensuring they are not receiving incorrect bills or unbilled copayments for VA care from years past. The VA Billing Accountability Act passed the House of Representatives on May 21, 2018. Read more about this bill here, or watch the bill pass the House here.
Congressman Smucker is co-leading the bipartisan Home for the Brave Act (H.R. 4322), which excludes a veteran’s disability compensation from countable income for purposes of qualifying for HUD housing assistance programs. Berks, Chester, and Lancaster Counties have all made national pledges to end veteran homelessness. This legislation supports that effort and helps ensure our nation’s heroes have a home to call their own. Read more about this bill here.
Many veterans have experienced difficulty at simply navigating the onerous bureaucracy at the VA, which include extensive backlogs and waiting times. Too often veterans are being deprived of quality care and service. This is simply unacceptable. That’s why Congressman Smucker voted in support of the VA Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act (S.1094), which was signed into law by President Trump. This new law will increase accountability at the VA and make it easier to remove, demote, or suspend any VA employee for poor performance and misconduct to improve overall care at the VA. Read more about this bill here.
The VA Mission Act streamlines 7 community care programs at the Department Veterans Affairs into one cohesive program, the Veterans Community Care Program to ensure that our nation’s veterans receive the best care possible. It also expands the VA Caregiver Program to all generations of veterans including post- 9/11 veterans. With Congressman Smucker’s vote and support, this legislation passed Congress and was signed into law by the President on June 6, 2018. Read more about this bill here.
Congressman Smucker is an original cosponsor of the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Education Assistance Act (H.R. 3218), which addresses many of the challenges with eligibility, training programs, and administrative barriers in the current GI Bill that limit participants access to education. The bill allows veterans to use the GI Bill throughout their lives instead of within 15 years of service and establishes a pilot program that enables veterans to attend non-traditional technology programs that will help them get jobs in high-demand fields right after completion. This critical legislation was signed by the President and became law on August 16, 2017. Read more about this bill here.
Congressman Smucker is a cosponsor of the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act, which would extend VA disability coverage to Blue Water Navy veterans that served up to twelve miles off the coast of Vietnam and may have been exposed to the Agent Orange toxin. This important legislation ensures that our veterans receive health benefits for complications because of their service and reduces the backlog of VA claims so veterans can get access to quality care faster. H.R. 299 passed the House of Representatives on June 25, 2018. Read more about the bill here.
Following their service to our nation, unfortunately too many veterans fall victim to mental health issues, substance abuse, and homelessness, which can lead to them being caught up in the criminal justice system. To support our nation’s veterans, Congressman Smucker cosponsored the Veteran Treatment Court Coordination Act. This bipartisan legislation directs the U.S. Attorney General to establish and carry out a Veteran Treatment Court Program. Moreover, it provides the necessary federal resources to state and local governments to help with the cost of these programs. Read more about the bill here.
Service dogs have been a strong treatment option for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). That’s why Congressman Smucker cosponsored the Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers (PAWS) Act to ensure that our nation’s veterans get access to any care they need. The PAWS Act establishes a pilot program through the VA that provides service dogs to veterans to cope with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Read more about the bill here.
Contact Our Office
If you are experiencing any casework issues with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs please contact Congressman Smucker’s staff at (717) 393-0667 or request help with a federal agency here.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Resources
Mental Health & Suicide Prevention
Veterans Crisis Line: All veterans, service members, and their loved ones can call the Veterans Crisis Line at (800) 273-8255 and Press 1 or send a text message to 838255 to help individuals coping with mental health issues. Callers will receive confidential assistance from a trained responder 24 hours every day of the week, for 365 days of the year.