{"id":151185,"date":"2026-10-06T16:24:20","date_gmt":"2026-10-06T20:24:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thevalleyledger.com\/?p=151185"},"modified":"2026-10-06T16:24:20","modified_gmt":"2026-10-06T20:24:20","slug":"congressman-mackenzie-announces-over-20-million-returned-to-constituents-through-federal-casework","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thevalleyledger.com\/?p=151185","title":{"rendered":"Congressman Mackenzie Announces Over $20 Million Returned to Constituents Through Federal Casework"},"content":{"rendered":"

BETHLEHEM, Pa. \u2014 Today, Congressman Ryan Mackenzie announced that his office has helped return $20.7 million to constituents across the Lehigh Valley and the Poconos through federal casework and assistance since taking office.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Of the $20.7 million returned since taking office, $10.3 million was returned to constituents in 2025, and more than $10.4 million has already been returned so far in 2026.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Congressman Mackenzie and his constituent services team work directly with residents to navigate federal agencies, resolve outstanding issues, and recover money owed to them. The office assists constituents with issues involving the Internal Revenue Service, Social Security Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Personnel Management, passports, immigration matters, and other federal agencies.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cHelping people cut through red tape and get the answers, benefits, and money they are owed is one of the most important services our office provides,\u201d said Congressman Mackenzie. \u201cReaching $20 million returned to constituents represents thousands of individual cases where our team was able to step in and help someone who did not know where else to turn. Whether it is a delayed tax refund, Social Security benefits, veterans\u2019 benefits, or another issue with a federal agency, our offices are here to help people throughout the Lehigh Valley and the Poconos.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

For constituents like James A. Bestider of Lehighton, assistance from Congressman Mackenzie\u2019s office helped resolve a reimbursement that had been severely delayed.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cAfter months of frustration trying to have a government agency reimburse me thousands of dollars in overpayment, I reached out to Congressman Ryan Mackenzie\u2019s office for assistance,\u201d said Bestider. \u201cCongressman Mackenzie and his staff were able to procure my reimbursement in a timely manner. I am a retired senior citizen on a fixed budget, and I am deeply grateful for Congressman Mackenzie and his staff for helping me and my family resolve this issue.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

John Yaswinski of Nazareth contacted the office after an IRS refund had remained unresolved for nearly a year. With assistance from Congressman Mackenzie\u2019s office, the refund was returned within weeks. The office also helped Yaswinski secure a Social Security appointment as he considered retirement.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cWords cannot express my heartfelt gratitude for Congressman Mackenzie and Ms. Pasquariello\u2019s assistance in securing my IRS refund in such a timely manner,\u201d said Yaswinski. \u201cMy IRS refund sat in limbo for the better part of a year prior to contacting the Congressman\u2019s office. Within a few weeks, my refund was returned. Their care, attention, and service to me are unmatched by any elected official I have known. They really went above and beyond.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

For John Tegan of Palmerton, the office helped resolve issues surrounding his federal retirement after he left the General Services Administration. Congressman Mackenzie\u2019s staff contacted the agency on his behalf, helped move his application to the Office of Personnel Management for review, and continued following up until his retirement package was completed.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cRochelle and Congressman Mackenzie\u2019s office provided continuing follow-up and attention to make sure the matter was resolved,\u201d said Tegan. \u201cRochelle also offered support and empathy for my situation.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mary Hittinger of Walnutport also turned to the office for assistance recovering money owed by the IRS.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cI am very appreciative for the assistance we received from Congressman Mackenzie, Rochelle, and the rest of the office staff in recovering money owed to us from the IRS,\u201d said Hittinger. \u201cTheir assistance made such a meaningful difference, and we sincerely appreciated their support. It\u2019s so nice to know that we have a congressman who\u2019s always there for us.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

Since taking office, Congressman Mackenzie\u2019s team has:<\/strong><\/p>\n