News · Press Release

DCCC Statement on Lapdog Ryan Mackenzie Appearing With Donald Trump in Pennsylvania as Costs Skyrocket

In response to vulnerable Republican Congressman Ryan Mackenzie’s office confirming that he will appear alongside Donald Trump outside of his own district as costs continue to skyrocket across the Lehigh Valley and the Poconos due to their price-spiking policies, DCCC spokesperson Eli Cousin issued the following statement:

“Career politician Ryan Mackenzie campaigned on a phony promise to lower costs, but has only made life more expensive for hardworking people across the Lehigh Valley and the Poconos. Instead of actually doing anything to get prices down, Mackenzie is following Donald Trump around Pennsylvania like the loyal lapdog he is. He’s backed Trump’s reckless tariffs, gutted health care, and has done nothing to prevent insurance premiums from skyrocketing. So it’s no surprise that Mackenzie would continue to chase around Trump instead of working to address the affordability crisis – that’s what he’s done the entire time he’s been in Congress, and it’s why voters will fire him next November.”
BACKGROUND:

  • Ryan Mackenzie has voted in lockstep with Donald Trump during his time in Congress. A legislative scorecard shows that Mackenzie has voted with Trump 98% of the time since arriving in Washington.
  • Mackenzie has voted to protect Trump’s cost-spiking tariffs that are having a devastating blow on the Lehigh Valley and the Poconos. Mackenzie voted to cede his power on tariffs to Trump, even though he acknowledged during a televised event that the sweeping tariffs he himself voted to protect have been “very disruptive to a lot of businesses.” Back in April, Mack Trucks announced they would lay off hundreds of workers in the Lehigh Valley, specifically citing tariffs.
  • Mackenzie voted for the largest cuts to Medicaid in history and has created a full blown health care crisis as premiums are set to skyrocket under his watch. Mackenzie voted to cut roughly $1 trillion from Medicaid and recently admitted he won’t stand up to his own party to prevent health care costs from spiking for Pennie users and is refusing to join 214 House Democrats on a discharge petition that would extend the ACA tax credits for 3 years.
  • Lehigh Valley voters are angry that Trump and Mackenzie are spiking costs. CNN spoke with Trump voters in the Lehigh Valley who said they are upset that the president and Republicans in Congress like Rep. Ryan Mackenzie have failed to address rising costs. Asked about Trump and Republicans’ failure to lower prices, one Lehigh Valley small business owner and three-time Trump voter told CNN: “I’m very let down by that. Very, very let down because it’s – I feel like it’s only gotten worse.”
  • Non-partisan race raters agree Mackenzie is one of the most vulnerable Republicans in the entire country. Roll Call ranked Mackenzie as the fourth most vulnerable lawmaker in the country and the second most vulnerable Republican in Congress. Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, and Sabato’s Crystal Ball all rate his race as a toss-up.

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