Congressman Meuser Meets with Constituents Affected by Democrat-led Shutdown
WILLIAMSPORT, P.A. – On Wednesday, Congressman Dan Meuser (PA-09) toured several organizations in Pennsylvania’s Ninth Congressional District to speak with constituents about the impact the Democrat-led Shutdown is having on families, veterans, and vulnerable populations across the region.
Congressman Meuser Visits STEP Inc. and STEP Head Start
Congressman Meuser started his tour by visiting STEP Inc. and its Head Start program in Williamsport where he met with Rachelle Abbot, President of STEP Inc., to learn more about their programs that empower children and families across Lycoming and Clinton Counties. STEP Inc. helps individuals and communities achieve social and economic success through local partnerships, with its Head Start program providing essential early learning, childcare, healthcare, and nutrition services for hundreds of low-income families.
Due to the ongoing shutdown caused by Senate Democrats as well as the Pennsylvania state budget impasse, STEP and similar organizations are facing growing uncertainty. Service providers are reluctant to deliver food and materials without guaranteed funding, and banks are hesitant to issue loans amid financial instability. The shutdown has also affected STEP’s Weatherization Program and collaboration with the LIHEAP Program as the Department of Health and Human Services cannot issue new LIHEAP grants. This is hurting low-income households who rely on these programs to heat their homes during winter.
Congressman Meuser Visits Central PA Food Bank
Congressman Meuser’s next stop was the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, where Jason Nienczyk, the Warehouse Operations Manager, gave a tour of the facility and emphasized the magnitude a lapse in SNAP funding would have on the organization. Serving 27 counties and providing food assistance to 286,000 people each month, the food bank could see requests for aid spike by 900% if SNAP funding comes to a halt.
SNAP benefits are currently set to continue only through November 1st, putting 1.96 million Pennsylvanians, including 760,000 children, at risk. Acting SNAP Administrator Ronald Ward has warned that funding will be insufficient to pay full benefits if the shutdown extends into November.
Congressman Meuser Visits Lycoming Clinton Veteran Coalition
Lastly, Congressman Meuser met with the Lycoming Clinton Veteran Coalition, a network of local partners dedicated to addressing immediate needs like hunger prevention, housing stability, access to education, and employment, ensuring veterans and military families remain connected to essential community resources.
While VA medical centers, clinics, and memorial services remain operational, and benefits such as disability, pension, education, and housing continue, many critical programs have been disrupted due to the Democrat-caused shutdown. VA Regional Offices, the GI Bill Hotline, and Career Counseling offices are closed, and vital services, including suicide prevention, transportation to medical appointments, and financial assistance for low-income veteran families, have been paused or reduced.
“Wednesday’s visit throughout Lycoming County made even more evident the devastating impacts a prolonged government shutdown is having on my constituents,” said Congressman Meuser. “I started my morning at STEP Inc. and toured their Head Start program, where they are doing unbelievable work supporting hundreds of children and families across the region. After meeting with President Rachelle Abbott, it’s clear this organization supports many low-income and at-risk children—providing childcare, early education, nutrition, and health services. Yet due to the shutdown forced by Senate Democrats and the continued budget stalemate in Harrisburg, STEP and many other community organizations are now under growing financial strain. This shutdown has real, far-reaching consequences for families and communities that can least afford it. As one teacher told me, ‘For the sake of the kiddos, the adults in the room need to do the right thing.’ She’s absolutely right — this is why every Senate Republican, with the exception of one, voted to keep the government open.”
Congressman Meuser added, “Later, during my visit to the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank’s Williamsport branch, I saw firsthand how many families depend on this organization and how vital it is to Northeast and Central Pennsylvania. A disruption in SNAP benefits would disproportionately impact low-income families across our Commonwealth, especially children who rely on this critical support. Lastly, I met with members of the Lycoming Clinton Veteran Coalition, who shared how the Democrat-led Shutdown is preventing veterans from accessing regional VA offices, receiving transition guidance, and ensuring proper maintenance of national VA cemeteries. One master sergeant told me, ‘For no other reason than for our veterans and their families, let’s get this solved.’ I couldn’t agree more. Our veterans, families, and children deserve better, and Senate Democrats must vote to reopen the government and restore these essential services immediately.”
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