Tuesday’s election results were not all about Trump
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
Not to mince words, but Tuesday was a bit of a stunner.
With the county’s Democrats sweeping the county row office races and making pickups in virtually every category from township supervisor to District Justice, it is clear that Chester County is no longer a one-party county.
And yes, to be sure, it was a bit of a referendum on President Donald Trump, as we...
Ryan Costello’s terrible, horrible, no good, very bad week
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
Donald J. Trump, Mitch McConnell and Paul Ryan are trying really, really hard to make sure U.S. Rep. Ryan Costello doesn’t get re-elected in 2018 — although it may be his own history that ultimately proves his undoing.
Oh, sure, the President and the Speaker of the House — as fellow Republicans — will swear until the cows come home that they back the two-term...
GOP putting the ‘mean’ in meaningless legislative efforts
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
Fall, that time of year when a young man’s fancy turns to…a budget crisis, political dysfunction, a renewed health care mess and, oh, yeah, off-year elections.
So, let’s see, the state still lacks a revenue plan to pay for a spending plan it passed some months ago, so now some bills aren’t being paid. The state House Republicans have come up with a wacky...
Federal, county officials celebrate preservation of Dilworth Farm
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
1st Delaware Infantry Regiment fires musket volley in honor of those who fought on both sides during the Battle of the Brandywine, prior to a ceremony announcing the preservation of the Dilworth Farm, Friday.
BIRMINGHAM — More than two centuries ago, the Continental Army fought and lost a major battle here to the British, leaving it — and the Revolutionary...
Op/Ed: Hate is a dangerous thing
By U.S. Rep. Ryan Costello, Pennsylvania’s 6th District
Ryan Costello
A man drove a car into a crowd of people, killing one and injuring 19 others. It was a despicable act committed by someone motivated by hate.
Some of the commentary on this incident and the President’s myriad responses misses the mark on what is the bigger picture relating to the character of our country and what we aspire...
Costello, Meehan back measure to help students with loan problems
WASHINGTON, D.C, — U.S. Rep. Ryan Costello (R-6), Patrick Meehan (R-7), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), and Seth Moulton (D-MA) have introduced the SIMPLE Act, legislation to reduce administrative burdens on struggling student loan borrowers.
The legislation allows vulnerable borrowers to automatically enroll in affordable income-driven loan repayment plans, and it removes burdensome paperwork requirements...
Costello, Smucker appear to buck Trump, back bipartisan healthcare plan
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
Two local congressman — Lloyd Smucker and Ryan Costello — say a moderate, bipartisan group of House members they belong to, the Problem Solvers Caucus, have reached an agreement on a package of fixes for the Affordable Care Act, a package that could provide a framework for a true bipartisan fix for the healthcare marketplace.
After the U.S. Senate rejected...
Unintended consequences and Newton’s Third Law
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
While Democrats wept over special election results this week, U.S. Senate Republicans — in secret — put together their version of the health care reform, the Better Care Reconciliation Act, which apart from some minor details, appears to be a lot like the house health care plan, the American Health Care Act: it cuts benefits for the poor, could lead to big...
It is time to try to dial back the anger
We’re deeply thankful that Costello, Meehan and Smucker are OK after DC shooting
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
Rep. Ryan Costello (R-6) should have been at his usual perch, at shortstop, next to Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.), Wednesday morning, when a lone gunman opened fire on Republican congressman and staffers Wednesday morning — but he missed his ride by a couple of minutes.
The congressmen...
Is a ‘cross-fire hurricane’ bearing down on the 6th District?
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
“I was born in a cross-fire hurricane
And I howled at the morning driving rain
But it’s all right now, in fact, it’s a gas
But it’s all right. I’m Jumpin’ Jack Flash
It’s a gas, gas, gas”
— The Rolling Stones, Jumpin’ Jack Flash.
It’s pretty clear that politics over the next 18 or so months will be anything but calm,...
