Enews Updates - December 23, 2020

In this Update:

Aument Appointed to Bipartisan Special Committee on Election Integrity & Reform
Aument Statement on Metcalfe Petition for Special Session on Elections
Funding Available for Organizations Serving PA Veterans
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Grants Available
Have a Merry Christmas

Aument Appointed to Bipartisan Special Committee on Election Integrity & Reform

Earlier this week, Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman announced he will introduce a resolution to establish a bipartisan Special Committee on Election Integrity and Reform to conduct an exhaustive review of all aspects of the 2020 General Election.

I am honored to be appointed as one of four Republican members to the Special Committee which will focus on:

the security of the vote before, during and after Election Day;
the accuracy and security of the election process, particularly during the pre-canvassing and canvassing stages;
the uniformity of the election processes across the Commonwealth;
the impact and role of the judiciary in the election process;
the impact and role of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in issuing interpretations, guidance and instructions regarding the election process and the conduct of the election as a whole; and
other election related issues that may come before the Committee.

The panel will be composed of four Republican members and four Democrat members, with the President Pro Tempore serving as an ex-officio member. It is anticipated to produce a report that will be presented to the General Assembly and standing committees and will cover areas of legislative recommendations.

It is critical that every Pennsylvanian have confidence in the electoral process. I’ve heard from too many constituents who are deeply troubled by the issues that arose during the 2020 election. This bipartisan effort will help provide assurance of the integrity of our elections.

Aument Statement on Metcalfe Petition for Special Session on Elections

Today, I notified Rep. Metcalfe’s office that I wish to sign on to his petition calling for a Special Session on Election issues.

Over the last few days, I have been returning numerous phone calls to constituents who have asked me to sign on to this petition. Many of you have expressed a desire for the General Assembly to meet in a special session prior to January 5^thto address the variety of election issues that have amassed during the 2020 General Election. Many are outraged over the unlawful execution of the most recent election due to the decisions of the Wolf Administration, the PA Supreme Court, and PA Secretary of the Commonwealth Kathy Boockvar, and they are demanding action be taken to investigate and rectify any wrongdoings.

While the constitutional concerns that I have expressed with respect to the ability to petition for a special session remain, the vast majority of my constituents believe that regardless of the outcome, the effort is a worthy one. To these constituents, I say: I hear you.

Let me be very clear, your anger is not only justified, I share it.

Regardless of the outcome of this petition, Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman has introduced a resolution establishing a Special Committee on Election Integrity and Reform and has appointed me as a member. This Special Committee is tasked with conducting a comprehensive review of the 2020 General Election and issuing recommendations to the General Assembly.

As such, I look forward to the work of the Special Session and/or the Senate Special Committee on Election Integrity and Reform. We must ensure confidence in the election results. We must reform the process moving forward to restore election integrity. We must continue to insist that a thorough examination be made by law enforcement, the courts, and Congress prior to and after January 6^th. We must hold bad actors accountable.

You have my word that I will do all within my Constitutional authority to restore trust in our elections, ensure transparency in the process, and seek any appropriate remedy to accomplish these goals.

Please read my full statement on this matter here.

You can read a copy of the text of the Metcalfe Petition here and a copy of the Corman Co-sponsorship Memo for the Special Committee on Election Integrity and Reform here.

Funding Available for Organizations Serving PA Veterans

Veterans’ service organizations, counties and other groups have until January 27, 2021 to apply for competitive grant funding from the Pennsylvania Veterans’ Trust Fund.

The PA Department of Military and Veterans Affairs announced the availability of a total of $800,000 in funding. Up to $650,000 is available for veterans’ service organizations and non-profit organizations that have a mission of serving Pennsylvania veterans. Funding priorities for the 2020-21 grant year are programs that address homelessness, behavioral health initiatives or veterans’ courts. The maximum grant request in this category is $50,000.

Up to $150,000 is available for grants to the Pennsylvania Association of County Directors of Veterans Affairs or grants to counties. The maximum grant request is $20,000 per county. Information and applications can be found here.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Grants Available

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is accepting applications for the Enhancement and Expansion of Treatment and Recovery Services for Adolescents, Transitional Aged Youth, and their Families grant program.

Grants of up to $545,000 are available for state and local governments, universities, non-profit health care systems, and community and faith-based organizations.

The grants should be used to enhance and expand comprehensive treatment, early intervention, and recovery support services for adolescents (ages 12-18) and transitional aged youth (ages 16-25) with substance use disorders, and their families. The deadline to apply is February 8, 2021.

Have a Merry Christmas

I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas. So many families have been impacted by the pandemic this year, either directly or as a result of the economic fallout. I pray this holiday brings you and our troubled world some much-needed comfort.