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Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-PA), the Chairman of the Workforce Protections Subcommittee, championed policies that halt the rising cost of living

By Bennett Sproat

Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-PA) speaks at Center Forward’s Affordability Summit on Tuesday, September 15, 2026 in Washington, D.C.

Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-PA), Chairman of the Workforce Protections Subcommittee, showcased the work he has done to reduce the cost of living for Americans during Center Forward’s Affordability Summit. Coming to Congress with over a decade of experience in Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives, the Congressman remarked that he is using this experience to build upon his work to lower healthcare costs, strengthen the American labor force, and deliver affordable results to his Pennsylvanian constituents. He stressed the importance of bipartisanship in Congress and talked about his efforts to reach across the partisan divide to work toward pragmatic solutions.

Rep. Mackenzie discussed the obstacles that face American families trying to access affordable child care and highlighted his own experiences as a new father. He described his bipartisan efforts to help ease these costs through the Child Care Modernization Act, which he introduced. The bill is a major piece of bipartisan legislation that would reform the primary federal program assisting lower-income families access child care, discussing how the bill not only lowers costs for families but also provides the tools for more Americans to become highly-skilled child care providers. Additionally, the Congressman expressed his support for increasing the Child Tax Credit and the need to reduce barriers for families to adopt.

“Working families across Pennsylvania deserve commonsense solutions that make child care more affordable and accessible,” said Congressman Mackenzie. “That’s why I’m working together with both sides on practical reforms that lower costs, expand access to high-quality child care, and give more choices to parents. I’ll continue working across the aisle to advance solutions that provide real relief for working families.”

Rep. Mackenzie also discussed his efforts to boost the labor market and give Americans a fair chance at obtaining the American Dream. He has ongoing efforts to ensure workers have access to vocational training to prepare them for higher-paying jobs and is working to ensure that American paychecks continue to rise. The Congressman also emphasized his priority for low- and middle-income Americans to grow their wealth.

Rep. Mackenzie, who represents Allentown and the surrounding Lehigh Valley, reflected on the economic revival this area has experienced in recent years. He summarized the key policies that led to the economic success in Allentown and how these policies can be replicated at the federal level. He also commented on the need to continue creating new, high-paying jobs and the bipartisan work that he is championing to drive down costs both in his district and across the United States.

Rep. Mackenzie’s tireless work in the 119th Congress shows the potential of bipartisan collaboration to solve pressing issues facing Americans, like affordability. The Congressman is continuing to forge relationships with both Democrats and Republicans to reduce costs for his constituents and ensure Americans can afford the American Dream.