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In this Update:
PA Senate Acts to Protect Fairness in Women’s Sports
With a bipartisan vote of 30-17, the Senate has once again advanced the Save Women’s Sports Act to protect athletic opportunity, competitive fairness and safety for female athletes across Pennsylvania. Senate Bill 1293 would require public schools and colleges to label sports teams as male, female or coed. The legislation states only biological females can join teams designated for women. Reinforcing the original intent of Title IX, the bill would also allow students to take legal action if they are harmed by violations of this rule. In addition to my Senate floor remarks above, I am sharing my entire Mission Report Podcast with former UPenn swimmer Paula Scanlan (FOR THE RECORD). Perhaps the most traumatizing and convincing podcast segment is when Paula vividly recounts the emotional and physical trauma endured by her and her female swim teammates, who were forced to undress in front of a biological male “18 times per week.” Since 2020 in Pennsylvania, men have stolen first place from female athletes 87 times and unjustly took second or third place 64 times. Recently, the International Olympic Committee enacted new policy guidelines ensuring all sporting events under their jurisdiction for any female category are limited to biological females only. Now it’s time for PA House Democrats to finally take decisive action and call up the Save Women’s Sports Act for a vote! You can track Senate Bill 1293 here. Making Punishment Fit Crime for Prostitution/Sex Trafficking
On April 21, my legislation which would move most prostitution-related offenses, such as patronizing prostitutes and promoting prostitution, to the Human Trafficking section of the state Crimes Code was unanimously advanced by the PA Senate Judiciary Committee. Requested and fully supported by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Senate Bill 45 is the first piece of legislation to be unanimously endorsed by our first-ever, bipartisan, bicameral Pennsylvania Anti-Human Trafficking (AHT) Caucus, of which I am proud to serve as the inaugural Chairman. Senate Bill 45 would further expand the jurisdiction of the Attorney General’s office, local law enforcement agencies and local District Attorney’s to freely pursue both sets of charges—trafficking and prostitution—across our Commonwealth. By increasing penalties for such crimes, we can rightfully punish traffickers and other sexual predators who groom, force and coerce human trafficking victims into demeaning forms of abuse, including domestic servitude and commercial sexual exploitation. Officially launched last month, the Pennsylvania AHT Caucus is a WORKING Caucus with the primary mission of speeding up passage of impactful legislation through evaluating and making bipartisan and bicameral recommendations to each of the four sets of leadership in the General Assembly and the governor. We are also striving to give our partnering survivor networks, human service agencies and law enforcement the tools they need to combat this scourge against all humanity—which is exploiting and enslaving millions of women and children and illegally generating more than $150 billion worldwide every year. Senate Bill 45 is now awaiting full PA Senate consideration. No Cross, No Crown: William Penn Seed of a Nation
Last Monday, I had the tremendous honor of serving as Guest Chaplain for the Pennsylvania Senate and delivering the opening invocation that was inspired by the following prayer and vision of Pennsylvania’s Founder William Penn: Thou Hast made me, O Lord and provide for me; I entreat Thy pardon for my sins and faithfulness to Thy light. Keep me O Lord from presumption and pride, Endue me with humanity, patience, and charity. Make me gentle, just, and ready to do good; And, O Lord, let thy peace rule in my heart, Amen Remembering Operation El Dorado Canyon
As an Air Force veteran and retiree from the Pennsylvania Air National Guard, I was truly humbled to speak on Senate Resolution 281 memorializing the 40th anniversary of Operation El Dorado Canyon and to remember the heroic sacrifices of Captains Fernando Ribas-Dominicci and Paul F. Lorence. Throughout the first half of the 1980s Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi had been financing and providing training grounds for terror attacks against the United States, Western Europe and our allies in the Middle East. Following several deadly terrorist attacks killing dozens of American military personnel and private citizens between December 1985 and April 1986, President Ronald Reagan sought Europe’s cooperation in planning a strike that would send a very clear message against Qaddafi’s regime and his terrorist counterparts throughout the Middle East. Unfortunately, cooperation from France, Spain and others on the Mediterranean coast was refused, forcing American aircraft to fly out over the Atlantic to get to their targets in Libya. Due to the intrepid nature of our Air Force airmen and the capabilities of our FB-111 and airborne refueling aircraft, these logistical hurdles were eventually overcome and, alongside U.S Navy F-18’s, a successful strike was launched against Qadaffi’s military and terrorist organizations as well as Qaddafi’s compound. Tragically on April 15, 1986, Ribas-Dominicci and Lorence were shot down as they were exiting Libyan airspace in their FB-111. Captain Ribas-Dominicci’s remains were returned by the Libyans, however Captain Lorence’s remains have never been recovered. Shortly after the raid, President Reagan confirmed America’s victory: “Today, we have done what we had to do. If necessary, we shall do it again.” May God continue to bless this nation and the American way of life for which so many courageous individuals have willingly fought and died. Recognizing Eagle Scout Excellence
Earning/Attaining the rank of Eagle Scout is a monumental achievement. Very few achieve the highest rank in scouting because of the tremendous commitment that is required. On April 19, I had the extra special privilege of attending two Eagle Scout Court of Honor ceremonies for Joseph Rostan (Allegheny Highlands Council, Boy Scout Troop 427) and Sean Storer (Allegheny Highlands Council, Boy Scout Troop 410). To fulfill his Eagle Scout community service project requirement, Joseph both designed and laid pavers to enhance the flagpole at Kane Area High School. As part of this project, Joseph installed an electric conduit to enable light to shine on our American flag. He also landscaped and seeded the surrounding area, as well as scraping and painting the wooden benches that are used on the practice field. Sean’s Eagle Scout community service project was to install stainless steel U.S. flag collection boxes across McKean County. He was able to raise enough funding to install flag collection boxes in Bradford, Eldred, Kane, Mount Jewett, and Port Alleghany. Again, the rank of Eagle Scout is one that is earned, not given. Congratulations and thanks are also in order for all of the parents, grandparents and volunteers who dedicated countless hours to prepare these young men for a lifetime of serving their communities. Strengthening Electricity Affordability and Reliability
Pennsylvanians need electricity that’s affordable and reliable. That’s why I joined legislative colleagues in February urging action to preserve critical baseload power generation by preventing the premature shutdown of two commonwealth power plants. I’m pleased to report the Trump administration has reached agreement with the state Department of Environmental Protection and the operator of the Keystone and Conemaugh Generating Stations in Indiana and Armstrong counties to allow continued operation of both plants. The agreement ensures continued, environmentally compliant generation of 3,400 megawatts of electricity for the regional grid and preserves the livelihood of more than 1,000 workers. I applaud the parties for working to find common ground, and will continue working to expand Pennsylvania energy production to provide our residents with a true “all of the above” energy strategy to ensure affordable, reliable electricity. Committee Approves Measure Eliminating Emissions Test Mandate for Newer Vehicles
Legislation exempting state emissions testing for newer vehicles and removing it entirely for counties where it’s no longer needed was approved by the Senate Transportation Committee. Senate Bill 1298 exempts vehicles five years old or less from the requirement and removes Blair, Cambria, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Lycoming, Mercer and Westmoreland counties from the emissions program. The Vehicle Emissions Inspection and Maintenance program mandates motorists in 25 Pennsylvania counties undergo annual emissions testing. However, a Joint State Government Commission study has shown that removing seven of these counties from the program would have minimal impact on maintaining federal air quality standards. Less than 1% of the five most recent model year vehicles fail annual emissions inspections. The measure now goes to the full Senate for consideration. You can read more about our efforts to reform emissions testing here. April 2026 Is Faith Month
Recently, I was privileged to join with my good friend and colleague Senator Tina Tartaglione (D–2, Philadelphia) to introduce Senate Resolution 280, which once again recognizes April as Faith Month in Pennsylvania. Our Commonwealth was founded as a haven for religious freedom, diversity, and tolerance by William Penn, who boldly proclaimed: “No people can be truly happy, though under the greatest enjoyments of civil liberties, if abridged of the freedom of their consciences as to their religious profession and worship.” Senate Resolution 280 also acknowledges that eternal vigilance and divine providence is desperately needed to stop the relentless, intolerant discrimination, persecution, and criminalization of people of faith, faith-affirming private employers, and, especially, faith-based charities that have a rich history of helping the sick, poor, and afflicted. By designating April 2026 as Faith Month, the Pennsylvania Senate is encouraging all Commonwealth citizens to respectfully engage and freely share their faiths. Just as William Penn and America’s Founders originally intended, this includes prayer, worship and all other peaceful displays and expressions of religious liberty and thanksgiving. |
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