Joyce

U.S. Rep. John Joyce told members of the Blair County Chamber of Commerce Breakfast Club on Thursday that he is optimistic the upcoming 117th Congress will be productive.

Joyce was re-elected to a two-year term to serve the 10-county 13th Congres­sion­al District in the Nov. 3 election.

“The challenges on Congress are significant. We have to work together. There was a lot of division in the 116th Congress,” Joyce said. “I have developed relationships across the aisle. The numbers will force us to work together to pass legislation. Republicans have picked up at least six seats in the House. The ability to work with other members is how we get things done.”

Joyce talked about his first term, saying he focused on health care issues and helping small businesses.

“I ran on the issue of health care; there is not a more important issue in Washington. These are difficult times,” he said. “I support the small businesses that are a vital part of Blair County. I was sworn in during the largest government shutdown. That was a challenge.

“Then the impeachment trial, then the pandemic started and ground us to a halt. We had to come together. I am an active member of the small business committee and we came up with the CARES Act.”

Joyce said he was proud that the Paycheck Protection Plan was a success providing resources to small businesses.

“I am a former small business owner. I know how difficult the pandemic was on small businesses,” Joyce said. “There are funds left over — $137 billion left. I will go back to Washington and continue to advocate that these funds be made available for small businesses.”

State Sen. Judy Ward, R-Blair, said Joyce has had a great impact on the business community in his district.

“His knowledge of health care has been extremely important as a physician, but as an employer as well,” Ward said. “Employee health care is the number one expense for an employer, so Congressman Joyce’s input and influence in that regard is incredibly helpful.”

Joyce said he is concerned about the rising COVID-19 numbers.

“The key to getting through the pandemic is not just with the vaccine, but with the development of therapeutics,” he said. “We are on the threshold of having an effective vaccine. More than one company is reporting successful results. In addition … new medicines have been developed as a result of Operation Warp Speed. We have actively worked to come up with therapeutics and vaccines, that is how we will get through this.”

Joyce said he is looking forward to the release of the vaccines.

“There are 16 members of the Republican Doctors Caucus; each one has agreed to take the vaccine. I had applied to be in a trial but was not selected. There are three members in trials,” Joyce said.

“A vaccine with 90% success rate is significant,” he said. “People are afraid of vaccines, they are afraid it will cause autism. There is no relationship between a vaccine and autism.

“After the health care workers and the elderly get the vaccine, I will be in line to receive the vaccine.”

Mirror Staff Writer Walt Frank is at 814-946-7467.