HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

Daniel Philip Meuser ( ; born February 10, 1964) is an American businessman, politician, and philanthropist who is the U.S. representative for Pennsylvania's 9th congressional district. A
Republican Republican can refer to: Political ideology * An advocate of a republic, a type of government that is not a monarchy or dictatorship, and is usually associated with the rule of law. ** Republicanism, the ideology in support of republics or agains ...
, he previously served as the secretary of revenue in the cabinet of
Pennsylvania Governor The governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is the head of state and head of government of the U.S. state, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, as well as commander-in-chief of the Commonwealth's military forces. The governor has a duty to enforc ...
Tom Corbett Thomas Wingett Corbett Jr. (born June 17, 1949) is an American politician and attorney who served as the 46th governor of Pennsylvania from 2011 to 2015. A member of the Republican Party, he served as Attorney General of Pennsylvania from 1995 ...
. He was previously president of the Pride Corporation, a manufacturer of motorized wheelchairs in the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton metro area of
Pennsylvania Pennsylvania (; ( Pennsylvania Dutch: )), officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a state spanning the Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes regions of the United States. It borders Delaware to its southeast, ...
, and currently serves the company as a board member and consultant. He has previously testified before Congress regarding the criticality for federal practices surrounding rights and caring for the disabled. In November 2018, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.


Business career

Meuser was an executive at Pride Mobility Products, a business that he built with his brother Scott and his father Stan. His brother, Scott Meuser, is the chairman and CEO of the company. Meuser left the company in August 2008 to pursue a career in public service. He had worked there since 1988. Although he left his position, he remained on the company's board of directors. During Meuser's tenure at Pride, the company grew from $2 million in sales to over $400 million. In 2002, Pride paid $80,000 to settle a government investigation that a Pride customer referral program intended to connect interested consumers with Pride product retailers was not compliant because retailers were required to pay Pride between $10 and $25 per referral as opposed to a flat annual fee. In 2006, Meuser received ''HomeCare'' magazine's HomeCaring Award, which recognized his work in the home medical equipment industry.


U.S. House of Representatives


Elections


2008

Meuser was a candidate for the GOP nomination in
Pennsylvania's 10th congressional district Pennsylvania's 10th congressional district is located in the south-central region of the state. It encompasses all of Dauphin County as well as parts of Cumberland County and York County. The district includes the cities of Harrisburg and York. ...
, having announced the launch of his campaign in September 2007. He was defeated in the Republican primary by fellow businessman Chris Hackett, who went on to lose to Democratic incumbent
Chris Carney Christopher P. Carney (born March 2, 1959) is an American politician who was the U.S. representative for from 2007 to 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party. Carney is also an associate professor of political science at Penn State Worth ...
in November 2008. Meuser heavily underscored his conservative values, even referencing
Ronald Reagan Ronald Wilson Reagan ( ; February 6, 1911June 5, 2004) was an American politician, actor, and union leader who served as the 40th president of the United States from 1981 to 1989. He also served as the 33rd governor of California from 1967 ...
and strongly emphasizing his work at Pride Mobility as part of a larger effort to embrace small-scale government and low taxes. The endorsements he received included a laundry list of well-known Pennsylvania conservatives including, most notably, former
U.S. Senator The United States Senate is the upper chamber of the United States Congress, with the House of Representatives being the lower chamber. Together they compose the national bicameral legislature of the United States. The composition and powe ...
Rick Santorum Richard John Santorum ( ; born May 10, 1958) is an American politician, attorney, and political commentator. A member of the Republican Party, he served as a United States Senator from Pennsylvania from 1995 to 2007 and was the Senate's thir ...
and then-
Hazleton Hazleton may refer to: Places * Hazleton, British Columbia, Canada * Hazleton, Gloucestershire, a village in Gloucestershire, England ** Hazleton long barrows, Neolithic burial mounds at Hazleton, Gloucestershire, England ** Hazleton Abbey, a medi ...
mayor
Lou Barletta Louis John Barletta (born January 28, 1956) is an American businessman and politician who served as the U.S. representative for from 2011 to 2019. A member of the Republican Party, he served as mayor of Hazleton, Pennsylvania, from 2000 to 2010. ...
. He was attacked by Hackett for hiring undocumented immigrants in Pride Mobility and funding prominent national Democratic politicians. In 1997 Pride Mobility was fined $41,000 for hiring 3 undocumented immigrants in 1995; however, the fine was later reduced to $23,000 after Pride Mobility appealed. The individuals in question had presented false documentation to Pride before technology like E-Verify was available. Pride took the incident seriously and took steps to ensure they wouldn't recur. The discovery that Hackett had previously hired an undocumented immigrant as a maid in his home—albeit he did claim to dismiss her once he learned of her status—was perceived to seriously damage Hackett's public image. On the night of the primary, the nail-bitingly close returns—despite initially displaying a comfortable Meuser lead—were soon indicating a virtual tie for some time throughout the night, with merely more than 100 votes separating the candidates at one point. However, as time passed, Hackett took a lead that seemed to gradually grow within hours. By roughly 11:15 p.m. ET, local news media and the Associated Press dubbed Hackett, who had garnered 52 percent of the vote to Meuser's 48 percent, the projected winner of the primary. When Meuser ran for the 10th congressional district in 2008, he lived in the 11th congressional district, where
Lou Barletta Louis John Barletta (born January 28, 1956) is an American businessman and politician who served as the U.S. representative for from 2011 to 2019. A member of the Republican Party, he served as mayor of Hazleton, Pennsylvania, from 2000 to 2010. ...
was running for Congress against incumbent
Paul Kanjorski Paul Edmund Kanjorski (born April 2, 1937) is an American politician who was the U.S. representative for from 1985 until 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party. The district included the cities of Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, and Hazleton, ...
. Meuser promised that he would actually live in the district by the time voters cast their ballots in the primary election; he had purchased a house in Harvey's Lake, which is in the 10th district, however, he still resides in Dallas, Pennsylvania.


2018

In October 2017, Meuser announced that he would run as a Republican to represent
Pennsylvania's 9th congressional district Pennsylvania's 9th congressional district is located in the east central part of the state and encompasses all of Carbon County, Columbia County, Lebanon County, Montour County, and Schuylkill County, as well as parts of Berks County, Luzern ...
. The district had previously been the 11th, represented by four-term fellow Republican
Lou Barletta Louis John Barletta (born January 28, 1956) is an American businessman and politician who served as the U.S. representative for from 2011 to 2019. A member of the Republican Party, he served as mayor of Hazleton, Pennsylvania, from 2000 to 2010. ...
, who was running for the
United States Senate The United States Senate is the upper chamber of the United States Congress, with the House of Representatives being the lower chamber. Together they compose the national bicameral legislature of the United States. The composition and pow ...
. In March 2018, over 100 members of the
Lebanon County Lebanon County ( Pennsylvania Dutch: Lebanon Kaundi) is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the population was 133,568. Its county seat is the city of Lebanon. The county was formed from portions of Dauphi ...
Republican Committee unanimously endorsed Meuser. Meuser "strongly backs" President Trump's " America First agenda". The Republican primary candidates were Meuser, Scott Uehlinger and George Halcovage. The Democratic candidates were Susan Quick, Denny Wolff and Gary Wegman. The primary election was held on May 15, 2018. On April 18, 2018, the Making America Great PAC announced its endorsement of Meuser. The PAC's chairman said, "Dan is a business-minded problem solver, a conservative, and he is focused on results, not rhetoric. Dan will go to Washington and join President Trump to fight for the America First Agenda." In early May 2018, the Republican Committee of Columbia County met with all three candidates running for the 9th congressional district seat. After a series of questions about their campaign priorities, the committee voted to put its full support behind Meuser. Among Meuser's local endorsements were Republican Mayor of the City of Shamokin John Brown and City Councilman Dan McGaw. Prior to a debate in Berks County, Meuser told opponent Denny Wolff to "go to hell", which he originally denied before later acknowledging. In May 2018, Meuser's campaign announced an initiative called "Women for Meuser", which is a group of women supporters of Meuser's campaign for Congress. Meuser had endorsements from at least 31 prominent elected or politically active women including State Senator Lisa Baker, conservative television host Tiffany Cloud, State Representative
Tarah Toohil Tarah C. Toohil (born October 1, 1979) is an American attorney and politician who served as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives until 2022. She is currently a judge on the Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas. Early life and e ...
, State Representative
Karen Boback Karen Boback is an American politician and educator serving as a Republican member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 117th legislative district. Education Boback was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania. She earned a bachelor's d ...
, and
Luzerne County Luzerne County is a county in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and is water. It is Northeastern Pennsylvania's second-largest county by total area. As of ...
District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis.


2020

Meuser was reelected in 2020 with 66.3% defeating Gary Wegman.


Tenure

In December 2020, Meuser joined over 120 Republican members of the House of Representatives in signing an
amicus brief An ''amicus curiae'' (; ) is an individual or organization who is not a party to a legal case, but who is permitted to assist a court by offering information, expertise, or insight that has a bearing on the issues in the case. The decision on ...
in support of a Texas lawsuit that sought to invalidate Pennsylvania's 2020 presidential election votes. The
Pennsylvania Attorney General The Pennsylvania Attorney General is the chief law enforcement officer of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It became an elected office in 1980. The current Attorney General is Democrat Josh Shapiro. On August 15, 2016, then-Attorney General Kath ...
described the case as a "seditious abuse of the judicial process". The Supreme Court issued orders on December 11, declining to hear the case on the basis that Texas lacked
standing Standing, also referred to as orthostasis, is a position in which the body is held in an ''erect'' ("orthostatic") position and supported only by the feet. Although seemingly static, the body rocks slightly back and forth from the ankle in the s ...
under Article III of the Constitution to challenge the results of the election held by another state.


Committee assignments

*
Committee on Education and Labor The Committee on Education and Labor is a standing committee of the United States House of Representatives. There are 50 members in this committee. Since 2019, the chair of the Education and Labor committee is Robert Cortez Scott of Virginia. Hi ...
** Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Investment ** Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions * Committee on Veterans' Affairs **
Subcommittee on Health The U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health is a subcommittee within the Committee on Energy and Commerce. Jurisdiction The House Subcommittee on Health has general jurisdiction over bills and resolutions relating to pub ...
** Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity * Committee on the Budget


Caucus memberships

*House Aluminum Caucus *Congressional Candy Caucus *Bipartisan Military Depot and Industrial Facilities Caucus *House Small Brewers Caucus *Congressional Fire Services Caucus *Congressional Coal Caucus *Congressional Chemistry Caucus *Copper Caucus *Servicewomen & Women Veterans Congressional Caucus *House Paper and Packaging Caucus *
Republican Main Street Partnership The Republican Main Street Partnership is a 501(c)(4) organization that was allied with the congressional Republican Main Street Caucus. The Partnership continues to exist, while the Caucus was dissolved by its members in February 2019. Hist ...
*
Republican Study Committee The Republican Study Committee (RSC) is a study group of conservative members of the Republican Party in the United States House of Representatives. As of 2021, the Chairman of the RSC is Representative Jim Banks of Indiana. Although the prim ...
* Problem Solvers Caucus


Electoral history


2018


2020


Political positions


Abortion

Meuser opposes legalized abortion and refers to fetuses as "pre-born human persons." According to his campaign, "Dan has personally funded chartered buses to take people from our area to the annual
March for Life March for Life may refer to: * March for Life (Washington, D.C.), an annual anti-abortion gathering held in Washington, D.C. * March for Life (Paris), an annual demonstration held in Paris protesting abortion * March for Life (Prague), an annual ...
Rally in Washington, D.C." He is opposed to federal funding for abortion and opposed to federal health coverage that includes abortion services. He also believes that "equal protection must be granted to each born and pre-born human person via the United States Constitution under the 14th Amendment".


Defense and military

Meuser supported Trump's plan to add $54 billion increase in defense spending. He also supports the travel ban on countries that Trump implemented, his campaign stating, "We cannot allow individuals to enter our country without knowing enough about their identity and background and the need to improve our immigration vetting processes, end visa overstays and examine the issues of chain migration. We can no longer stand by and allow individuals we know little about from countries hell-bent on destroying America enter our country."


Donald Trump

As the House of Representatives was debating HR 489 in July 2019, which passed 240 - 187, condemning President Donald Trump for promoting racism and xenophobia after he attacked four Democratic members of Congress, telling them to "go back" to the "places from which they came," Meuser defended Trump and called the bill a baseless attack by Democratic leadership. "I strongly oppose Democrat leadership's latest effort to harass onald Trump For years, he and his supporters have been subjected to baseless attacks. Such slander is a disservice to our nation and the American people, and I am tired of it." The tweet from which the quote is sourced contained a video in which Meuser, standing on the House floor, stated "I rise today in opposition of House Resolution 489." In December 2020, Meuser joined over 120 Republican members of the House of Representatives in signing an
amicus brief An ''amicus curiae'' (; ) is an individual or organization who is not a party to a legal case, but who is permitted to assist a court by offering information, expertise, or insight that has a bearing on the issues in the case. The decision on ...
in support of a Texas lawsuit that sought to invalidate Pennsylvania's 2020 presidential election votes. Following the storming of the U.S. Capitol building by Trump supporters, Meuser voted to reject the certification of Pennsylvania's 's electoral votes in the
2020 presidential election This national electoral calendar for 2020 lists the national/federal elections held in 2020 in all sovereign states and their dependent territories. By-elections are excluded, though national referendums are included. January *5 January: **C ...
. Meuser voted against impeaching Trump on an articlee of
impeachment Impeachment is the process by which a legislative body or other legally constituted tribunal initiates charges against a public official for misconduct. It may be understood as a unique process involving both political and legal elements. In ...
of "incitement of insurrection" in the aftermath of the attack on the Capitol. In May 2021, Meuser voted against the creation of an independent commission to investigate the January 6 attack.


Drugs

Meuser supported President Trump's declaration of the opioid epidemic as a national health emergency. Meuser has proposed a three-pronged approach: supply (by increasing the standards by which prescription opioids are prescribed), harm reduction (by having medication drop off programs in communities and by incrementing electronic databases for monitoring opioid prescriptions), and recovery (by coordinating efforts to help non-violent drug offenders become rehabilitated as productive members of society). Meuser voted against the MORE Act, which would have removed
cannabis ''Cannabis'' () is a genus of flowering plants in the family Cannabaceae. The number of species within the genus is disputed. Three species may be recognized: ''Cannabis sativa'', '' C. indica'', and '' C. ruderalis''. Alternatively ...
from the federal
Controlled Substances Act The Controlled Substances Act (CSA) is the statute establishing federal government of the United States, federal drug policy of the United States, U.S. drug policy under which the manufacture, importation, possession, use, and distribution of ...
.


Guns

Meuser supports an individual right to keep, own, use and carry firearms, earning an endorsement from at least one pro-gun Political Action Campaign.


Immigration

Meuser supports President Trump's proposal to construct a wall on the entire border with Mexico. He opposes giving federal funds to sanctuary cities. Meuser has argued that President Obama's executive order on
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, colloquially referred to as DACA, is a United States immigration policy that allows some individuals with unlawful presence in the United States after being brought to the country as children to receive ...
(DACA) was unconstitutional and supports ending DACA. Additionally, he supports the government cracking down on employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants.


LGBT rights

On July 19, 2022, Meuser and 46 other Republican Representatives voted for the
Respect for Marriage Act The Respect for Marriage Act (RFMA; ) is a landmark United States federal law passed by the 117th United States Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden. It repeals the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), requires the U.S. federal gover ...
, which would codify the right to same-sex marriage in federal law. Meuser said “My vote in support of H.R. 8404 was to affirm the current law and support the rights and freedoms of all Americans. The passage of this legislation reflects current law, which was upheld by a Supreme Court ruling nearly 10 years ago. This vote was not difficult for me, as it does not infringe upon anyone’s personal and religious rights.” However, Meuser voted against final passage on December 8, 2022.


Taxes

Meuser believes that school property taxes are un-American and unconstitutional, his campaign stating "no tax should have the power to leave you homeless." Meuser also cites the 14th amendment in arguing that the government has no right to take property away from someone without due process of law or providing equal protections under the law. Meuser signed the "Taxpayer Protection Pledge" sponsored by
Americans for Tax Reform Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) is a politically conservative U.S. advocacy group whose stated goal is "a system in which taxes are simpler, flatter, more visible, and lower than they are today." According to ATR, "The government's power to control ...
. The pledge commits its signers to "oppose any and all efforts to increase the marginal income tax rates for individuals and/or businesses ... and oppose any net reduction or elimination of deductions and credits, unless matched dollar for dollar by further reducing tax rates".


''Texas v. Pennsylvania''

In December 2020, Meuser was one of 126 Republican members of the
House of Representatives House of Representatives is the name of legislative bodies in many countries and sub-national entitles. In many countries, the House of Representatives is the lower house of a bicameral legislature, with the corresponding upper house often c ...
who signed an
amicus brief An ''amicus curiae'' (; ) is an individual or organization who is not a party to a legal case, but who is permitted to assist a court by offering information, expertise, or insight that has a bearing on the issues in the case. The decision on ...
in support of '' Texas v. Pennsylvania'', a lawsuit filed at the
United States Supreme Court The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) is the highest court in the federal judiciary of the United States. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all U.S. federal court cases, and over state court cases that involve a point o ...
contesting the results of the
2020 presidential election This national electoral calendar for 2020 lists the national/federal elections held in 2020 in all sovereign states and their dependent territories. By-elections are excluded, though national referendums are included. January *5 January: **C ...
, in which Joe Biden prevailed over incumbent
Donald Trump Donald John Trump (born June 14, 1946) is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021. Trump graduated from the Wharton School of the University of Pe ...
. The Supreme Court declined to hear the case on the basis that Texas lacked
standing Standing, also referred to as orthostasis, is a position in which the body is held in an ''erect'' ("orthostatic") position and supported only by the feet. Although seemingly static, the body rocks slightly back and forth from the ankle in the s ...
under Article III of the Constitution to challenge the results of the election held by another state.


Veterans

On the issue of veterans and the
Department of Veterans Affairs The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is a Cabinet-level executive branch department of the federal government charged with providing life-long healthcare services to eligible military veterans at the 170 VA medical centers an ...
(VA), Meuser supports the Veterans Choice Act, legislation that was passed during the Obama Administration and extended by Congress during the Trump Administration. The policy allows veterans who face long waiting times at VA facilities or who live over 40 miles away from the nearest VA clinic to seek care in the private sector, and have the cost of that care covered.


Political career


Pennsylvania Secretary of Revenue

Meuser was appointed Secretary of Revenue by Governor Tom Corbett after more than two decades in the private sector. The Secretary's primary duties include administration and enforcement of state tax laws, effectively operating within reduced budget climate, collections of over 30 state taxes, setting annual state budget projections, developing tax policy for the Governor and overseeing the growth and stability of the Pennsylvania Lottery, which generates gross sales of $3.6 billion and net revenue of $1.1 billion annually. The Council On State Taxation (COST) gave PA an A− rating partly due to legislation that Secretary Meuser helped pass as well as the reforms he put into place. Residents of Pennsylvania raised speculation to his appointment by Tom Corbett due to the fact that he was one of the largest contributors in Tom Corbett's 2009–2010 campaign, making a total of 26 contributions totaling $76,394. There is concern over a recent $103 million computer modernization system for the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue being performed by Accenture, a global technology consultant which had previously been fired by the state of Maryland for a similar project due to wasteful spending and missed deadlines. In 2010, ''Politics Magazine'' cited him as a "Former Congressional candidate and northeast PA money man".


Philanthropy and boards

Meuser is a board member of the Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce, sits on the board of trustees for
Misericordia University Misericordia University is a private Roman Catholic university in Dallas, Pennsylvania. It was founded by the Religious Sisters of Mercy in 1924 as College Misericordia; in 2007 it became a university and changed its name. The university offers ...
, and is on the board of the Pittston Young Men's Christian Association. Meuser is a donor to such organizations as
United Way United Way is an international network of over 1,800 local nonprofit fundraising affiliates. United Way was the largest nonprofit organization in the United States by donations from the public, prior to 2016. United Way organizations raise funds ...
,
Make-A-Wish Foundation The Make-A-Wish Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in the United States that helps fulfill the wishes of children with a critical illness between the ages of and 18 years old. Make-A-Wish was founded in 1980 and headqua ...
, MS Society, St Jude Hospital, and St. Joseph's Hospital.


Personal

Dan Meuser is married to Shelley Van Acker Meuser. The couple has three children. He had previously claimed a home in Kingston Township as his residence, but changed his registration to a home in
Dallas Dallas () is the List of municipalities in Texas, third largest city in Texas and the largest city in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, the List of metropolitan statistical areas, fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States at 7.5 ...
two months before the election. The home in Kingston had been drawn into the 8th district after the
Pennsylvania Supreme Court The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania is the highest court in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Unified Judicial System. It also claims to be the oldest appellate court in the United States, a claim that is disputed by the Massachusetts Supreme J ...
threw out Pennsylvania's old congressional map as an unconstitutional gerrymander. According to Meuser, his old home had been drawn just a mile outside the new 9th's borders. On August 22, 2020, Meuser announced that he had tested positive for
COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by a virus, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first known case was COVID-19 pandemic in Hubei, identified in Wuhan, China, in December ...
.


References


External links


Congressman Dan Meuser
official U.S. House website
Dan Meuser for Congress
* , - {{DEFAULTSORT:Meuser, Daniel 21st-century American politicians American businesspeople Candidates in the 2008 United States elections Cornell University alumni Living people Republican Party members of the United States House of Representatives from Pennsylvania State cabinet secretaries of Pennsylvania State University of New York Maritime College alumni 1964 births American gun rights activists