WILKES-BARRE — State Rep. Brenda Pugh, R-Dallas Township, and Rep. Jamie Walsh, R-Ross Township, each voted “no” on House Bill 1330 — the House Democrat proposed budget for the 2025-26 Fiscal Year.
However, the House passed bill by a 105-97 vote and sent it to the Senate for its consideration.
For more information on the 2025-26 budget, visit www.pahousegop.com/.
“A budget is not simply a spending bill,” Rep. Pugh said. “It is a statement of our priorities and a reflection of our values. And, unfortunately, the budget introduced today by the Democrat-controlled House lacks transparency, structure and details needed to justify a yes vote.
Rep. Pugh said the budget is fiscally unsustainable without significant economic growth.
“Yet despite repeated calls for collaboration, this budget failed to incorporate key Republican ideas,” Rep. Pugh said. “If the majority party was truly serious about bipartisan cooperation, the budget would include several core provisions.”
Rep. Pugh added, “First, we must unleash Pennsylvania’s energy industry. Our energy sector holds tremendous potential to drive job creation, reduce our reliance on reserves and build a stronger economy for future generations.
“Second, we must support efficient, accountable government. Taxpayers deserve a system that prioritizes results over bureaucracy. That means aggressively combating waste, fraud and abuse.
“And third, we must invest in student-centered education. Education is the engine of economic mobility. By focusing on personalized learning and equipping students with real-world, job-ready skills, we can build a homegrown workforce ready to compete in today’s global economy.”
Walsh: Budget games must stop
Walsh said House Democrats put forth and passed House Bill 1330 — a potential $50.6 billion spending plan for Fiscal Year 2025-26.
The bill, which was amended only a few hours before the vote, is not an agreed-to product between the House and Senate.
“The budget we were asked to vote on does not represent a negotiated product,” Walsh said. “If House Democrats were serious about passing a budget the GOP-controlled Senate would actually agree to, it would include some of our proposals, like those to eliminate the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), reform government and give families school choice options.
“Furthermore, this proposal did not include a financial sheet to show us the proposed budget’s impact on our constituents. I’m not willing to vote ‘yes’ on a budget that still needs a lot of work, particularly if it would add to our structural deficit and put taxpayers on the hook for reckless spending.
“I was a firm ‘no’ vote on House Bill 1330, and I’m hopeful the Senate will swiftly reject it. I look forward to considering a negotiated budget — one that respects Pennsylvanians. They deserve better from their government.”
Rep. Meuser votes for Defense Appropriations Act
U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Dallas, voted this week in favor of the Fiscal Year 2026 Defense Appropriations Act — legislation he said provides the resources necessary to strengthen national defense, enhance military innovation and support the men and women serving our Armed Forces.
The bill passed the House with a vote of 221 to 209.
The legislation includes a 3.8% pay raise for all military personnel, continues pay increases for junior enlisted service members enacted in FY25, and slows unnecessary permanent change-of-station moves to improve quality of life and reduce disruptions for military families. It also provides targeted investments in cutting-edge technologies to maintain America’s strategic advantage — advancing next-generation aircraft, nuclear modernization, and missile defense systems.
Additionally, Meuser said this bill strengthens America’s defense supply chain, bolsters counter-drug operations, and strengthens U.S. coordination in the Western Hemisphere by realigning regional command jurisdictions. Importantly, he said it reaffirms the U.S. commitment to Israel’s security by funding cooperative missile defense and research initiatives. The legislation also makes the Department of Defense more efficient by reducing overhead, eliminating waste, and reinforcing fiscal accountability across the Pentagon.
“This legislation ensures our Armed Forces remain the best-equipped, best-trained, and best-led military in the world,” said Meuser. “It invests in the tools our war fighters need to deter aggression, stay ahead of evolving threats, and protect our national interests.”
The bill now heads to the Senate for further consideration.
Meuser helps lead passage of GENIUS Act, Anti-CBDC Act, and CLARITY Act
Meuser debated and helped lead the House passage of three landmark bills — the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act, the GENIUS Act, and the CLARITY Act — calling them, “critical steps toward securing America’s role as the gold standard of the global financial system.
The Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act prohibits the issuance of a central bank digital currency (CBDC). The legislation specifically bars the Federal Reserve from issuing a CBDC directly to individuals or indirectly through a third party.
“A central bank digital currency would centralize unprecedented power in the federal government and could open the door to real‑time surveillance of every financial transaction in America,” Meuser said.
The GENIUS Act, which passed the House, establishes a framework for U.S. banks to issue stablecoins backed by the dollar, ensures consumer protection and supports the dollar’s role as the world’s reserve currency.
The bill now heads to President Trump’s desk for his signature.
The CLARITY Act creates a legislative framework for companies to issue cryptocurrencies and trade digital assets, whether a commodity or security, on U.S. exchanges. The bill also establishes consumer protections and regulations.
Rep. Meuser voted for all three bills in the House Financial Services Committee and supported their passage on the House floor. He cosponsored all three pieces of legislation as well.