U.S. Senator David H. McCormick (R-PA) delivered his maiden speech on the Senate floor, reflecting on Pennsylvania’s history and the challenges facing the United States. He referenced past Pennsylvanians who have served in the Senate and quoted William Penn, stating, “Patience and diligence, like faith, remove mountains.” McCormick said he found comfort in these words during his early months in office.
He acknowledged the support of his parents and wife, Dina, as well as their six daughters during his political campaigns.
McCormick highlighted a recent event in Pittsburgh—the inaugural Pennsylvania Energy and Innovation Summit at Carnegie Mellon University—which he described as a turning point for both Pennsylvania and the country. “In the middle of the so-called ‘Rust Belt,’ President Trump, members of his Cabinet, the CEOs of the world’s leading energy, technology, and investment companies, labor leaders, and political leaders from both parties gathered at Carnegie Mellon University to commit over $90 billion in new investments—investments that affirm Pennsylvania’s central role at the crossroads of America’s energy and AI revolutions,” McCormick said.
He detailed plans for new data centers and power plants across various regions of Pennsylvania—including hydroelectric projects in York and Lancaster Counties—and Westinghouse’s intention to build ten large nuclear reactors by 2030. According to McCormick, these initiatives will generate tens of thousands of skilled jobs throughout the state.
McCormick also reflected on his upbringing in Bloomsburg, military service with the 82nd Airborne Division during Operation Desert Storm, business leadership roles in Pittsburgh’s technology sector, government positions related to national security and economics, and serving as CEO of a global investment firm. He emphasized that serving as senator is his greatest honor.
Explaining why he entered politics after a business career, McCormick said: “I decided to enter the political arena because America is a Superpower in Peril.”
He discussed economic decline in small towns like Bloomsburg following factory closures; issues facing veterans returning from wars; concerns about illegal immigration; rising crime rates; fentanyl overdoses among families such as Blair County Sheriff Jim Ott’s; and voters’ desire for change after recent elections.
“In November, the people spoke. Pennsylvania voters gave President Trump and me a mandate for change,” McCormick stated. He cited achievements such as record-low illegal border crossings; passage of what he called “the largest tax cut in American history for working families”; improved economic indicators; military rebuilding efforts; an attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities; and work toward ending conflict between Russia and Ukraine while preserving Ukrainian independence.
McCormick stressed bipartisan cooperation with colleagues including Senator John Fetterman on issues like anti-Semitism. He described future goals: “I want to be able to tell my children…that I worked with anyone…who shares the goal of delivering results…and much-needed change.”
Returning to themes from the Energy Summit, McCormick said: “This moment demands bold innovative leadership…a willingness to discard conventional wisdom…embracing partnerships between our nation’s public institutions and private sector…and urgency…”
He concluded by referencing historical milestones such as Philadelphia’s Constitutional Convention in 1787 and Lincoln’s address at Gettysburg: “Today we face another make-or-break moment for America’s future.” Reaffirming commitment to core values he said: “What I can say with certainty today…is that this senator—and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania—can be counted on to do our part.”
