BETHLEHEM TWP., Pa. — U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie promoted his office's constituent service record after more than a year on the job Monday morning, highlighting his staff's efforts to assist Lehigh Valley residents with everything from getting their passports to tax returns.
Mackenzie, R-Lehigh Valley, invited local media to hear testimonials from local government officials, business leaders and area residents about how his staff had helped them navigate through the federal bureaucracy.
The issues ranged from securing approximately $7 million in owed tax breaks to DeSales University to arranging for a veteran's family to receive their father's military medals that he was awarded but never officially presented.
From his township office on Emrick Boulevard, he stressed that services are not dependent on a residents' political affiliation.
"We are available and ready to serve every single person every single day across Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District," Mackenzie said.
U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Lehigh Valley, said his office had received more than 120,000 calls, emails and letters over his first-year in office.
The news conference provided a closer look into an often overlooked aspect of representing a congressional district. While media outlets often focus on lawmaker's policy goals and votes, responding to the needs of local constituents is a core responsibility of a member of Congress.
Mackenzie said his office had received more than 120,000 calls, emails and letters over his first-year in office. It was not clear how many of them were calls for assistance compared to messages from local residents opining on his political stances. Detractors have been holding near weekly protests outside his office and sending regular messages criticizing him for his support of President Donald Trump and vote to cut Medicaid, among other issues.
Of those contacts, Mackenzie said his office has concluded more than 5,500 constituent cases. It was not clear how many of them had been resolved to the satisfaction of the constituents. In some instances, residents may not be entitled to the services or benefits they are seeking, even if a sitting member of Congress intercedes on their behalf.
Mackenzie also highlighted that his office secured more than $1.7 million in Community Project Funding, also known as congressional earmarks. Almost all of that money is going toward the construction of a new Alburtis Fire Station. Portland also received funding to install ADA compliant ramps at borough offices.
Strong constituent services are a straightforward way for lawmakers to earn support in the community heading into re-election, and every vote might matter as Mackenzie heads into the midterms.
Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District — which represents Carbon, Lehigh and Northampton counties plus a sliver of Monroe County — is one of the nation's most contested political battlegrounds.
Mackenzie, a former state legislator, defeated Democratic incumbent Susan Wild by about 4,000 votes — a 1-percent margin of victory — in the 2024 election. Seven Democrats so far have announced bids to challenge him in this year's general election.
Michael Hawkins, the CEO of Netizens Corp. in Allentown, said he had been wrestling with the IRS for years over pandemic-era tax credits. Within three months of contacting Mackenzie's office, Hawkins said his cyber security firm received checks for more than $200,000 it had been owed.
"I'm a very political neutral person. I don't endorse any particular party or candidate or anything like that. I vote for what works, and Congressman Mackenzie has definitely worked," Hawkins said at Monday's news conference.
Seeking constituent services
Lehigh Valley constituents seeking assistance with a federal agency can request help from Mackenzie's office through this online form.
Applicants are encouraged to provide all pertinent information. That can include their Social Security number, a claim number if dealing with the Department of Veterans Affairs and copies of any correspondence with the federal government.
