By JIM ECKSTROM

news@bradfordera.com

U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson believes President Donald Trump is following through on campaign promises to rein in government spending and bureaucracy — and the president recounted progress made so far during Tuesday night’s joint address to Congress.

‘Tonight, President Trump reiterated his commitment to America,’ Thompson, R-Pa., stated on X. ‘Promises made, promises kept.’

Thompson, chairman of the influential House Agriculture Committee, has stated he’s optimistic specifically about the president’s agriculture policies.

In recent comments reported by Lancaster Farming regarding downsizing the federal government and funding freezes, Thompson said he believes the U.S. Department of Agriculture is being steered in the right direction — including the layoff of probationary employees recently hired or promoted.

Thompson has accused the Biden administration of trying to pack the federal government with anti-Trump employees, nevertheless adding that

Promises… page A-8

U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson (right) is shown with then-candidate Donald Trump July 31 at a campaign rally in Harrisburg. Thompson backs President Trump’s efforts to pare down the federal government.

Office of U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson many terminated employees have been reinstated.

Mass firings at government agencies also face court challenges, while concern has been raised about the ability of agencies like Social Security and Veterans Administration to provide benefits and services.

“It’s a starting point and a rebuilding point,” he said. “Is everybody going to be brought back? Probably not, and my goal is to make sure that key (USDA) positions are filled, and actually had a lot of success with that.”

Lancaster Farming reported Thompson was also upbeat about the funding freeze that has disrupted some USDA grants, noting that after pressure from stakeholders, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins unfroze $20 million in conservation funding.

Also from Western Pennsylvania, Rep. Mike Kelly, R-Butler, said Trump was clear that “America is back and we are open for business. … The president is committed to restoring the American Dream for all Americans, cutting wasteful spending, lowering taxes, securing our borders, and getting our great nation back on track.”

U.S. Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, a Democratic Party maverick, added to that status Wednesday by taking to X to criticize Democrats for their protests and behavior during Trump’s address. Many held up protest signs, there were some yells and disturbances and others refused to attend the joint session.

“A sad cavalcade of self owns and unhinged petulance,” Fetterman — who has shown willingness to work with Trump on certain matters, such as immigration, while critiquing him on matters like support for Ukraine — posted on X.

“It only makes Trump look more presidential and restrained. We’re becoming the metaphorical car alarms that nobody pays attention to — and it may not be the winning message.”

Wednesday morning, after Trump’s speech, which included much touting of the administration’s efforts to pare down the federal government, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro signed an executive order meant to help fill vacancies in the commonwealth workforce with experienced former federal employees.

“Right now, Pennsylvania still has 540 critical jobs to fill — and we have an opportunity to recruit federal workers and veterans who have significant experience and expertise in all of these fields because they’ve held these jobs already at the federal level or in the military,” the governor said.

Under the order, the state will consider relevant federal work experience as equivalent to commonwealth work experience “so skilled, experienced federal employees can pre-qualify for existing open positions with the commonwealth — while continuing to protect pathways for veterans to continue their service,” he said.

The governor noted Pennsylvania is particularly interested in those with expertise in fields like civil engineering, nursing, corrections and accounting.

The state, joining New York and several other states, will also recruit federal employees into Pennsylvania’s workforce, launching a new website with key information about state government opportunities.

Shapiro signed the order at the second annual Commonwealth Job Fair in Harrisburg.

State House Republican Leader Jesse Topper, R-Bedford/ Fulton, responded by stating, “While President Trump is using his mandate to lead the federal government in an unprecedented effort to rightsize itself in true responsibility to the taxpayers, finding ways to add to our bureaucracy here in Pennsylvania sends us in the wrong direction.”

Topper said when a state job becomes vacant “the question should first be asked if it is truly needed rather than how quickly it can be filled.”

Topper added that Pennsylvania’s private sector continues to face hiring challenges and federal employees looking to translate their skills into new lines of work should be encouraged to enter private sector employment “instead of having a path cleared for the commonwealth to be a sanctuary for adrift bureaucrats.”