Altoona Times

Dec. 14, 2023 / Press Release

By Rep. Lou Schmitt (R-Altoona)

Early in 2023, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives elected a Democratic Speaker for the first time in over a decade. Speaker Mark Rozzi took the opportunity to go on a statewide tour promoting "bipartisanship," coincidentally aligning with the Democrats gaining a slim majority in the House. This led to an adjournment of the House until the Democrats lost their majority later in the year. Current Democratic Speaker Joanna McClinton then sent everyone home again, only to call them back once the Democrats regained their majority.

The situation in the Pennsylvania House took another turn when a Democratic member resigned, resulting in a tied 101-101 House. Conveniently, a hole in the roof of the House chamber appeared, and work in Harrisburg was postponed until March 18 to fix it. This happens to align with the Democrats likely regaining their one-vote majority in a special election.

Rep. Schmitt highlights the history of the Pennsylvania House facing challenges in the past, including renovations, repairs, and even a serious fire. However, on those occasions, the House found alternative locations to continue legislative sessions. Even during the pandemic, the Republican majority managed to keep the House working without interruption.

Schmitt questions the reason behind the extended recesses and the appearance of a hole in the roof. He suggests that the real reason behind the lack of productivity in the House is the refusal of the Democratic House leadership to engage in bipartisan cooperation. He implores the Speaker of the House to bring the members back into session in January to fulfill their duties on behalf of the people of Pennsylvania.

The year 2023 has been a historic one for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. It has seen the passage of very little legislation, with fewer working days than any House chamber since 1964. It is also the first year in over a decade that the Democrats have had control. According to Schmitt, this is not a coincidence and the current Democratic House leadership is failing to serve the people of Pennsylvania.

In conclusion, Rep. Lou Schmitt calls for action in the Pennsylvania House, urging the Speaker to reconvene the members in January and fulfill their responsibilities to the people they represent.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Greg Gross

717.260.6374

ggross@pahousegop.com

Website: RepLouSchmitt.com

Facebook: Facebook.com/RepSchmitt

For additional details, please follow this link: https://www.repschmitt.com/News/33281/Latest-News/Pennsylvania-House-Isn%E2%80%99t-Working