Local Issues
The Congressman takes very seriously the responsibility that he has to represent local interests in Washington. He is keenly aware of the nuances of and challenges facing this geographically diverse and expansive district.
Over the long term, the district lags beyond the country in job creation. To fight this, Congressman Cartwright is working to create good paying jobs that cannot be outsourced and investing in the small business that drive economic growth.
As an outgrowth of this, the Congressman is working to restore freight and passenger rail service to all parts of the district.
See also information about Our District.
More on Local Issues
Washington, DC -- Congressman Matt Cartwright (PA-17) released the following statement after being elected Co-Chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC) by his colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives:
“I am humbled and honored by being elected Co-Chair for the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee for the 116th Congress. I intend to use this leadership position to help my party and the House of Representatives do more for the 8th congressional district of Pennsylvania.”
Bethlehem, PA – Today, U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development division awarded a $401,679 Distance Learning and Telemedicine grant to the St. Luke’s Hospital of Bethlehem to provide telemedicine for critically needed specialty care and disease management to a potential 143,573 rural residents who need higher quality medical services. This is grant of USDA Rural Development’s broad portfolio of programs to improve the lives of rural Americans.
Scranton, PA – Today, U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development division awarded The Wright Center a $463,223 Distance Learning and Telemedicine grant to enable doctors to communicate with patients via electronic technology. This is part of USDA’s Rural Development’s broad portfolio of programs to improve the lives of rural Americans.
Taylor, PA – Lackawanna County will receive $784,883 in federal funds to reconstruct and pave a 1.1-mile section of previously unpaved roadway that services Stauffer Industrial Park. The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), an independent federal entity that serves Pennsylvania and other eastern mountain states, announced approval of the funds this week.
The paving will enhance access to the industrial park from highly-traveled Keyser Avenue and Oak Street, which connect to the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
WILKES-BARRE, PA—Congressman Matt Cartwright encourages all interested residents of Northeastern Pennsylvania to join him in welcoming Piotr Wilczek, Ambassador of Poland to the United States, as he visits Wilkes University. The ambassador’s discussion, which is free of charge and open to the public, is titled “An Overview of Polish-American Relations.”
The university-sponsored event will be held Monday, October 22.
When: 7 p.m.
Where: 2nd Floor Ballroom
WASHINGTON, DC--Representative Matt Cartwright (PA-17) released the following statement regarding the announcement of a 2.8 percent increase in the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for Social Security recipients:
“Social Security has been our nation’s most effective anti-poverty program for senior citizens and Americans with disabilities.
Stroudsburg, PA – Today, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development division awarded a Housing Preservation Grant for $71,718.23 to the Redevelopment Authority of Monroe County. This award will assist very low-income homeowners repair and rehabilitate their homes in rural areas.
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Matt Cartwright (PA-17) released the following statement regarding House passage of H.R. 6 SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act on Friday. Cartwright is a cosponsor of H.R. 5776, the Medicare and Opioid Safe Treatment (MOST) Act, which was included in the SUPPORT Act and provides for Medicare coverage of certain services furnished by opioid treatment programs.
Washington, D.C. – House Appropriations Committee Member Rep. Matt Cartwright (PA-17) released the following statement regarding final passage Wednesday of the two-bill, fiscal year 2019 “minibus” appropriations bill and a Continuing Resolution to fund remaining unfunded parts of the federal government through December 7, 2018 (in order to avoid a partial government shutdown).
Jim Thorpe, PA – Today, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright announced that a grant in the amount of $300,952 has been awarded to the County of Carbon by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) through the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) Adult Drug Court Discretionary Grant Program.