Born on June 7, 1957, in Wiesbaden, Germany, this Representative from Pennsylvania pursued higher education in the U.S., earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from American University in Washington, D.C., in 1978, followed by a Juris Doctor from George Washington University in 1982. He has a background as a lawyer in private practice and served as the solicitor for Allentown, Pennsylvania, from 2015 to 2018. Elected as a Democrat, he won a special election to succeed Charles W. Dent in the One Hundred Fifteenth and One Hundred Sixteenth Congresses, continuing his service through re-election until January 3, 2025. He served as chair of the Committee on Ethics during the One Hundred Seventeenth Congress and is currently looking to navigate the political landscape after an unsuccessful bid for re-election to the One Hundred Nineteenth Congress in 2024.

Throughout his legislative career, he has participated in several key committees that reflect his focus areas within Congress. Notably, he has co-sponsored several significant bills, demonstrating a commitment to various social and governmental issues.

One notable piece of legislation he co-sponsored is the Capitol Remembrance Act (HB321) which seeks to establish a permanent exhibit in the U.S. Capitol commemorating the January 6 attack. This act aims to honor the sacrifices of law enforcement and Capitol staff while educating future generations about the importance of democracy and security. Another significant bill he supported is the Close the Medigap Act of 2023 (HB35), which seeks to enhance protections for new Medicare beneficiaries by expanding guaranteed issue rights related to Medigap policies.

In addition, he has lent his support to the Banning Oil Exports to Foreign Adversaries Act (HB293) that aims to prohibit the export of oil to nations deemed adversaries of the United States, thus reinforcing national security through energy policy reform.

His legislative endeavors reveal a hallmark commitment to advancing civil rights, improving health care access, and fortifying security measures related to national integrity and governance. He is also associated with the TRUST in Congress Act (HB345), which calls for transparency by requiring Members of Congress to place specified assets into a blind trust, ultimately to mitigate potential conflicts of interest during and post-tenure in office.

Politically, he leans towards progressive ideals, particularly seen through his support for bills focusing on healthcare, civil rights, and governmental accountability. His co-sponsorship of legislation aimed at combating discrimination and ensuring equality indicates a strong alignment with social justice movements.

On the personal front, he maintains a professional presence as a lawyer, which may influence his approach to policy-making and legislative discourse. As a committed public servant, his career illustrates the intersection of law and politics, with a focus on ethical governance and public trust.