Article Summary –
Pennsylvania Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick claims his substantial campaign fundraising demonstrates his bipartisan appeal, but analysis of his campaign finance reports reveals significant contributions from GOP megadonors, Republican leaders, and Wall Street interests, suggesting a prioritization of their agendas over those of working Pennsylvanians. Despite touting a centrist and pragmatic stance, his voting record shows support for legislation that favors wealthy individuals and corporations, such as the 2017 Trump tax cuts and efforts to weaken financial regulations. He has also opposed measures that could mitigate the economic impact of policies like tariffs and military engagements, which have contributed to increased costs for American consumers.
Pennsylvania Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick highlighted his substantial campaign fundraising efforts as evidence of his community backing and bipartisanship. A Pennsylvania Independent analysis of his campaign finance documents and voting history reveals he received millions from GOP megadonors, House Republican leaders, and Wall Street interests, often prioritizing their interests over those of working Pennsylvanians.
Representing Bucks County and parts of Montgomery County, Fitzpatrick is pursuing a sixth term in the competitive 1st District. His campaign disclosed over $7.6 million in cash on hand in its April report to the Federal Election Commission.
In February, Fitzpatrick told NOTUS his fundraising skill demonstrated his political independence. “Most of my financial supporters believe in centrism and pragmatism,” he said, dismissing the two-party system.
Data from OpenSecrets shows Fitzpatrick’s leading funding source from 2015 to 2024 was political action committees and individuals in the securities and investment sector, totalling over $1.9 million.
He received over $1.5 million from leadership PACs and colleagues’ campaigns. Contributions included at least $66,000 from Kevin McCarthy, $63,000 from Steve Scalise, $34,000 from Tom Emmer, and $25,000 from Mike Johnson.
Fitzpatrick’s campaign and leadership PAC also received funds from prominent GOP donors and Trump supporters, including $66,000 from Jim Worthington and $32,000 from Stephen Schwarzman.
Koch Industries, led by Charles Koch, provided at least $25,000 in PAC money to Fitzpatrick.
Fitzpatrick’s campaign and donors did not immediately provide comments on this report.
Fitzpatrick supported key votes favoring his party’s leadership and his wealthy donors.
In 2017, he voted for Trump’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which lowered tax rates for corporations and the wealthy, offering minimal savings or tax increases for others. Fitzpatrick called it “a historic step to invest in American families” in a statement.
In 2018, he voted for a bill to make many tax cuts permanent. Though the House passed it, the bill died in the Senate.
That year, he voted to weaken the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform, easing securities and investment industry regulations.
In 2023, he supported a bill repealing IRS modernization funding meant to target wealthy tax cheats. Fitzpatrick falsely claimed on social media that it added “87,000 new IRS enforcement personnel.”
In 2025, Fitzpatrick voted for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, extending Trump’s tax cuts for the wealthy and cutting Medicaid and food assistance. The bill passed the House 215-214, crucially including Fitzpatrick’s vote.
“This legislation will prevent the largest middle-class tax increase and provide relief for working families,” he said in a release.
Fitzpatrick later opposed the Senate’s amended version, citing inadequate Medicaid protections in a statement.
The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy estimated the law would benefit the wealthiest 1% by $117 billion in a year.
Fitzpatrick opposed measures to curb Trump policies inflating American consumer costs.
He supported temporary rules blocking House consideration of proposals to end Trump’s tariff-based national emergencies. The Supreme Court ruled these tariffs illegal, yet they cost households $1,000 in 2025, per the Tax Foundation.
Fitzpatrick voted on March 5 and April 16 against resolutions directing Trump to withdraw U.S. military forces from unauthorized Iran hostilities. These actions raised Pennsylvania gasoline prices by $1 per gallon and sparked a two-year high in inflation.
The April vote narrowly failed, 213-214, with one abstention.
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