ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Before a room of more than 100 family and friends, U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Lehigh Valley, was all smiles during his local swearing-in on Friday.
LehighValleyNews.com was on the ground in Washington last week as Mackenzie took his official oath of office at the U.S. Capitol.
Taking place at the Lehigh County Courthouse, Friday’s ceremony served as a way for the public to take part a bit closer to home.
A Republican from Lower Macungie Township, the 42-year-old Mackenzie swore to do right by those from across Lehigh, Northampton, Carbon and Monroe counties who voted for him. Judge Melissa Pavlack officiated.
Mackenzie’s wife Chloe held their son Leo close as the two watched intently.
And Mackenzie’s mother, state Rep. Milou Mackenzie, R-Lehigh, and father Charles Mackenzie looked on as their congressman son gave the room a quick crash course on his campaign — one built around ensuring a strong economy, securing the local community and ending chaos around the world.
Right to work
“Our nation’s resiliency and our faith and our belief in the founding principles of our country are guiding us through,” Mackenzie said. “As we move forward, our future has never felt more uncertain, but I am actually exceedingly optimistic.”
Citing his tenure with the state House spanning more than 12 years, he said he’s often watched a lackluster federal government growing “more arrogant” and “even more dismissive” of the problems facing local communities.
“The result was clear — more division, more apathy and a faltering confidence in our nation’s future,” Mackenzie said. “Now our country has an opportunity to break free from this era and set a course for national revival.”
“Now our country has an opportunity to break free from this era and set a course for national revival.”U.S. Congressman Ryan Mackenzie, R-Lehigh Valley
The congressman said he and his colleagues “haven’t wasted any time” getting to work, adding he’s now with a few relevant subcommittees: Education and Workforce, Foreign Affairs and Homeland Security.
Mackenzie also said he co-sponsored legislation to set term limits for members of Congress, mandate photo ID for voting nationwide and helped to pass the Laken Riley Act.
The Laken Riley Act — named for a Georgia nursing student who was murdered by an immigrant living domestically without legal permission — would be part of a “pretty aggressive agenda on combating illegal immigration,” Mackenzie said. The legislation allows Immigration and Customs Enforcement to issue detainers and take custody of immigrants here illegally if the individuals commit theft-related crimes.
'Now's the time'
Milou Mackenzie — who serves the state’s 131st Legislative District with the state House — said she knew from the jump her son was bound for greatness.
“I taught him everything he knows,” Milou joked. “But there's truly no one who can do a better job for the Lehigh Valley than Ryan.
“I say that not only as his mom, but as a citizen.”
“I taught him everything he knows. But there's truly no one who can do a better job for the Lehigh Valley than Ryan. I say that not only as his mom, but as a citizen.”State Rep. Milou Mackenzie, R-Lehigh, of the 131st Legislative District, speaking on her son and newly sworn-in U.S. Congressman Ryan Mackenzie
Charles, Mackenzie’s father, said his son finally attained a “dream of his for years,” following what he called an “excellent” tenure for him as a state representative.
“We agreed that now’s the time,” Charles said. “It worked out where God called him to run, God provided the people to finance him and God brought him over the finish line — with a lot of hard work.”
'Finally seen'
Janet Dooner and Ann Gravell drove about an hour from Polk Township, Monroe County, for the occasion.
Serving as municipal committee members, the duo, both Republicans, agreed Mackenzie has always been attentive to their township’s needs, visiting often and listening carefully to residents.
“We felt like we were finally seen,” Gravell said.
By a margin of about 4,000 votes, Mackenzie beat Democratic incumbent Susan Wild in the November congressional race and secured the 7th Congressional District seat.
It proved to be among the most expensive U.S. House races nationwide, bringing in about $38 million in expenses across both campaigns.
