That time what i thought was the overreach of government, the encroachment of government in decisions that we were making and continued Additional Resources that we had to committee to complying with regulation and so on. And so i really believed that government, that overreach of government was Holding Businesses back. I think it still continues to hold our economy back, holds people back. And so i decided to run to ensure that my kids, my grandkids, would have the opportunity to live the American Dream, that i had the opportunity to do. What was your business . So construction company. Just a little background on that, ill go back even further. I think im the only member of congress ever to be born into an amish family. My parents were actually whats called old order amish, driving the buggies and all. I was number ten of 12 kids. So i was the first in my family to graduate from high school. The amish tradition is formal education ends in eighth or ninth grade. So when i approached my parents with that idea, they agreed. They were reluctant at first, but they allowed me to attend high school. But i couldnt go to a public school. I had to pay my own tuition. So i earned my way through high school by hanging drywall at night. And then bought i was doing that for an older brother, right out of high school bought that small business, just a few employees, and was a Business Owner at 17 years old, operating that business out of a bedroom in my parents home. But again, i had the tremendous opportunity to grow that company. We became a regional leader in commercial construction with several hundred employees. But thats what im talking about, being able to start with little or nothing, and live your dreams. Thats what america is about. And theres stories all throughout my district and throughout the country very similar to that. But today i think it would be a lot harder. It was about 35 years ago that i started that company. It would be a lot harder today for someone to do that, because of the overreach of government. Are you still part of the Amish Community . So the area that i represent, particularly the Lancaster County portion of that district, is the largest Amish Community in the country. But i myself am not amish, im lutheran today. And what impact do you think that childhood, growing up amish, had on who you are . What do you take away from that . The Amish Community is really hardworking, great family values. Really care about their neighbors and care about other people. So those are all sort of values that i was raised with. And so i think that led to some degree to my interest in trying to find solutions to problems that were faced with. I first served as a township supervisor, got involved in local government, and found that i really enjoyed that opportunity to hear from our neighbors and others and try to solve problems. So thats been my approach in the state senate as well as that would be my approach here as well. What would you say your record was at the state senate level . Sure. What were you focused on . Again, i represent a diverse district, but also a pretty conservative district in a lot of ways. But i tend to like the nolabels aspect. Theres actually a nolabels caucus here that im potentially joining. The point im making with that is, i worked in the state senate to try to find solutions to difficult problems and am willing to work with anyone who may agree with me. And knowing that everyone is here representing different districts, and they have different experiences. So a big part of being successful in the legislature i found in the states is learning to listen and trying to understand other viewpoints and then try to find common ground. What is your focus here in washington . So im very pleased to be part of the Education Workforce committee. In fact i was chair of the Education Committee in the state senate. We really worked hard to ensure that every child in pennsylvania had the opportunity for a world class education, that prepared them for their career, college, military, whatever it is they chose to do. And here were going to one of the focuses of the Workforce Committee will be the reauthorization of the Higher Education act. I think there will be some great opportunities there, particularly i think we need an additional focus on career and technical education. We have a lot of jobs available. But we need to ensure that we are preparing our students to take those jobs. Jobs are changing today. I think thats a real opportunity. Im also on the transportation and infrastructure committee. I think its going to be a great session to be part of that. We did some work on that in pennsylvania as well, where we realized that infrastructure is a core function of government. So we were able to increase funding for our highways and bridges. That was very, very nice. At the same time that we were cutting back on government in other areas. I think its about focusing on what are the Core Functions of government. Im looking forward to working with the administration and with colleagues across the aisle on building 21st century infrastructure as well. On education, in your previous job at the state senate, you did some work on education pertaining to illegal immigrants. Sure. What was that legislation . And some might view that as not in line with the republican party. But explain. Well, i think, you know, we must fix our immigration system. It does start, i believe, with securing the border. We have to know who is coming into our country. We have to know who has come across the border when they should not have. We have to know who has overstayed their welcome. We know that are people in the world that are out to harm us. Whatever we end up doing with immigration, we start with securing the border. I fully support that approach. And then from there, we have to build a system that we have to fix our Legal Immigration system. And, you know, we are a country of immigrants. And we are back talking about the American Dream earlier, we should be welcoming people who want to come here, who want to work hard, who want to raise their families, who want to live the American Dream. And i think thats whats made our country great in the past and will do so in the future as well. You have what some might other members of Congress Might say is a shorter commute compared to those that live on the west coast, you just have to drive a couple of hours to get back home. Who is back home . Tell us about your family. Sure. So i have youre right, i have a little over twohour drive if i hit the traffic right, its really fortunate in that way. It is a little different, when i served in the state senate i was able to commute every day. I would do that here as well if i were just a little closer. Its a high priority of mine to get back to the district. I want to hear from constituents but also be back with my family. I have my my wife is there, but i have a 14yearold son who is in eighth grade, then two who have in college as well, a 19 and a 21yearold daughter. And what does your wife do . My wife is focused on raising the kids, shes been a stayathome mom while we were raising the family, i particularly appreciate that because the state legislature and here, it does take a lot of time away from the family. So shes been focused on, you know, trying to create as normal a childhood for our kids as possible. Thats been great. What do your children think about you running for this u. S. House seat . Theyre excited about it. Obviously it means that im not there as much for them. It would have been a more difficult for me had my kids been younger but its a good age for them with two of them in college. Theyre very excited about whats happening here, and particularly my son really seems to be hes 14, hes interested in politics. One of the things is he gets to meet some people he would not get to meet otherwise. And we try to have the family down here as much as we possibly can. So its been great. Congressman smucker, thank you very much for some of your time today, i appreciate it. Thank you for having me. Ahead of the hearing, a portion of todays washington journal with two members of congress on u. S. Efforts to withdraw troops from afghanistan. Well show as much of this as we can until the house ways and Means Committee starts. Two legislators joining us this morning to talk about the state of affairs in afghanistan, especially the u. S. Involvement. Were joined by representative John Garamandi and representative walter jones. To both of you gentlemen, good morning. Thank you, good morning. Good morning. Representative jones, your effort in afghanistan, can you give us a