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In this Update:

• 2026 March for Life
• Shapiro’s Troubling Health Regulations: Thousands of Pennsylvanians Weigh In
• Senate Bill Protecting Children from Harmful AI Chats Needs House Action
• Suicide Prevention Month Raises Awareness and Spreads Hope
• Certified Veteran-Owned Businesses Gain New Opportunities

2026 March for Life

I was glad to join a record crowd of Pennsylvanians at the State Capitol on Monday for the 2026 Pennsylvania March for Life.

It was especially encouraging to see so many people from Northwest Pennsylvania make the long trip to Harrisburg, along with a strong turnout of young people who clearly understood the gravity of the issue at stake.

I appreciated the opportunity to join constituents for the annual march around the Capitol to honor the sanctity of human life and show support for women and families.

Shapiro’s Troubling Health Regulations: Thousands of Pennsylvanians Weigh In

Thousands of Pennsylvanians – ordinary citizens, school officials and many others – have voiced their opposition to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposed health regulations which would vastly expand state government’s power over their lives. Thank you to each and every person who took the time to let your voice be heard!

I’ve added my voice to the effort in this letter to the Independent Regulatory Review Commission, which spells out the reasons these regulations must be stopped. Comments were submitted asking the commission to reject the proposal, which would give the state more power to enter homes and businesses without a warrant, speak to students without parents present, access private health records, unilaterally impose mask mandates – and more.

Gov. Shapiro and the state Department of Health should listen to the people and withdraw this 502-page executive branch overreach. Pennsylvanians endured the previous governor’s mandates during COVID lockdowns, and we cannot afford to go back.

Learn more about what’s at stake at this State Health Regulations information webpage.

Senate Bill Protecting Children from Harmful AI Chats Needs House Action

It’s critical that our commonwealth establish commonsense safeguards for children increasingly interacting with AI chatbots. The Senate overwhelmingly passed bipartisan legislation to do just that back in March, but the House of Representatives has yet to consider it.

Senate Bill 1090 would require robust, age-appropriate safeguards to prevent content generation that encourages self-harm, suicide or violence against others, and directs users to appropriate crisis resources whenever high-risk language is detected.

In recent years, vulnerable individuals, including minors, have used AI chatbots to cope with trauma, depression and anxiety, only to have chatbot responses allegedly contribute to deaths by suicide. I urge the House to pass this bill so it can be enacted before the year is out. Read more about this important measure.

Suicide Prevention Month Raises Awareness and Spreads Hope

Suicide Prevention Month is a time to raise awareness, spread hope and encourage discussion of a difficult topic.

Warning signs of suicide include:

• Comments about suicide
• Increased alcohol and drug use
• Aggressive behavior
• Withdrawal from friends and family
• Dramatic mood swings
• Impulsive or reckless behavior

The National Alliance on Mental Illness has more information about risk factors.

The 988 Lifeline provides free and confidential support over call, text or chat for people in distress 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Empathetic, trained professionals provide prevention and crisis resources for you or someone you know.

Certified Veteran-Owned Businesses Gain New Opportunities

Pennsylvania veteran-owned small businesses that get certified can be listed on a state database, opening doors to state contracting opportunities.

To qualify for certification, businesses must be at least 51% veteran-owned, meet “small business” revenue and size standards, and hold a valid third-party certification.

The state does not certify a business as veteran owned; it only verifies it. Find out how to obtain certification and third-party verification at the Department of General Services.