U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-16th, spoke on a wide variety of topics when he addressed the Butler County Chamber of Commerce Coffee Club on Friday morning.

“It's the people in our county, the people in our state, the people in our country that will make a difference,” Kelly said.

Kelly's topics varied widely, but centered on his perspective on happenings in Washington, D.C. He said no one seems to be working together, and many of his constituents have noticed this too.

Kelly remarked on recent events, such as the passing of a bill by the U.S. House to make Washington, D.C., the 51st state.

Kelly's contention was that the state should have been added by amending the Constitution, a much more stringent process than passing it through legislation. Kelly said the Constitution has a degree of flexibility as long as changes are made properly.

“We are blessed with the most important document in the world,” Kelly said. “People long to have a document like that. We are abandoning the process for being flexible with the Constitution.”

Kelly also commented on grander themes, such as the nation's economy, with emphasis on the COVID-19 economic relief provided by the administrations of President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden.

Trouble down the road

Kelly said the boosts were nice, when they were absolutely necessary, but their continual use could lead to trouble down the road.

“We are on a crash course,” he said. “The Treasury is printing money faster than you can imagine.”

In October, the board of governors of the Federal Reserve System submitted the 2021 print order for 7.6 billion to 9.6 billion notes, which is an increase of 1.7 to 3.8 billion notes, or 30.6% to 65.9%, from 2020.

According to a statement in the print order, the board cited heavy influence by the COVID-19 pandemic as the reason for the increase in 2021.

After giving his analysis on some key points, Kelly opened to questions from the gathering of about 25 people.

Filling positions

Lisa Bruno-Guard of Specialized Staffing & Industry Recruiters in Butler said since the beginning of the pandemic, she has had trouble filling open job positions, and she has watched as bills designed to help businesses like hers stagnate under the weight of partisanship.

“I feel like a sitting duck,” she said.

Kelly said he has heard many similar complaints. He said people are not going to work, but not out of laziness or greed.

“If you can make more money staying home than going to work, why would you?” he said.

Ron Carter, of the Strand Theatre in Zelienople, asked about the election results and the legitimacy of current voting practices.

“I tell people I do my talking at the voting booth,” Carter said. “I'm worried that my vote isn't being heard.”

Kelly said he had multiple lawsuits filed to test that process and to examine the legitimacy of it, but instead of having his case heard, it was discarded by the Supreme Court. He said the issue is once again a constitutional one.

“We've got a Constitution in Pennsylvania that was completely ignored,” Kelly said. “Let's make sure every vote is counted and make sure every vote is legitimate.”

Networking opportunity

Coffee Club members meet periodically for doughnuts and coffee while they talk about business. It's a networking opportunity, according to Mark Buchek, vice chairman of the chamber's board of directors.

“It's good to see people again,” Buchek said. “We're starting to snowball into our normal activities.”

Sometimes the event includes a speaker, such as it did with Kelly.

Although Kelly wasn't challenged by an opposing viewpoint, Buchek found the conversation between the legislator and Chamber members stimulating and insightful.

“It's interesting to hear his side of what's going on down in Washington,” Buchek said. “He takes it back to common-sense ideas.”