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Dear Neighbor
I wish the joy, promise and spirit of renewal that accompanies this season to all my Orthodox brothers and sisters celebrating Easter alongside me today. I hope you can enjoy quality time with those you love! Christos Anesti! Please continue reading for a brief overview of my work on your behalf last week.
Fighting for Policies that Will Help You!
Americans are struggling with the spikes they are seeing in energy costs at the pump and in their electric bills. They deserve reliable, clean, and affordable American-made energy. It is time for us to take back control of our own energy future, which is why the House recently passed H.R. 1, to boost American domestic energy and lower costs. One important part of this bill is reforming the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) permitting process to streamline federal reviews for all sectors of the economy and implement a standard that evaluates impacts which are reasonably foreseeable and economically feasible. We also need reasonable deadlines for completion of all NEPA reviews. I urge my Senate colleagues to expedite passage of this important bill.
Also, I am working to streamline public and private efforts to advance the development of more effective treatments or potentially a cure for those suffering with Parkinson’s Disease. Click here to learn more about my work.
Additionally, I am still furious about the wasteful spending that passed the House last year without my support. The CHIPS package provided $76 billion in tax subsidies for the semiconductor manufacturing industry and authorized an additional $200 billion for the industry over next ten years to support the manufacturing of U.S.-made semiconductor chips. While I am definitely in favor of increasing domestic manufacturing, there are significant problems with this bill. The bill provided extensive tax breaks for this highly-profitable industry that are simply not warranted. Chip sales were already the 4th leading U.S. export, with a relatively reliable domestic supply chain in place. Multiple outlets reported that the pandemic computer-chip shortage had already begun easing, with new private investments to expand domestic production capacity that were already underway prior to passage of the legislation. The package also failed to address the significant national security challenges facing our country, by providing safeguards to ensure that the recipients of federal tax breaks would not partner with Chinese companies. Last week, my colleagues and I demanded transparency for how your tax dollars are being spent by the Biden Administration as it rolls out this new program. Click here to learn more about our efforts.
Learning from You Here at Home
I appreciated the chance to speak with nurses and patients at Davita Health Center in Crystal River. I’ll continue fighting to ensure these highly vulnerable kidney patients have access to the care and support they need.
I enjoyed touring the Hernando County Fleet Facility to learn more about the challenges local governments face in finding replacement parts for emergency vehicles due to supply chain disruptions. We must address this critical issue by encouraging more domestic manufacturing!
It was great to meet with students from Hernando County's SWAT Club as they shared concerns about the dangers of teen smoking and vaping. These bright young students are passionate about making a difference and I appreciated their advocacy.
It is always good to have the chance to spend time with local leaders. I learned more about the needs of Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties while talking with the legendary Mr. Jim and Carol Kimbrough and Lex Smith.
Additionally, it was also refreshing to meet Citrus County Superintendent of Schools, Sam Kimmel. We discussed the need to protect our children from nefarious content on social media platforms and my work holding Big Tech accountable. I appreciate the work she and her team are doing to keep kids safe!
Providing Opportunities for Local Students
Local middle and high school students and their parents are invited to attend my upcoming U.S. Service Academy Night featuring presentations by each of the five U.S. Service Academies. Service Academies offer an elite education to the best and brightest students who are ready to make a commitment to serve their country in the Armed Forces. The Service Academy Night provides students and families with the best information possible about how to prepare for this unique learning opportunity.
Also, the Airport Design Challenge (ADC) is an interactive learning and collaboration opportunity for students throughout the country in grades K-12, hosted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAA Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Aviation and Space Education (STEM AVSED) Program organizes and sponsors this exciting challenge. Click here to learn more about how to participate!
Community Connection
I am fortunate to have a team of dedicated staff who regularly attend events throughout our community, especially when I am required to be in Washington, DC. Through their collective efforts, I am better able to stay connected to the issues that matter most to my constituents. As part of my commitment to developing a better understanding of the issues facing constituents in Citrus, Hernando and Pasco counties members of my team attended several events last week. Here are a few highlights.
My team member, Colleen, is an Army Veteran. She enjoyed attending last week’s Women Veterans of Citrus County meeting to learn more about the needs of her fellow sisters in arms.
My team also enjoyed attending Pasco Business Blast to learn more about new local businesses that have opened throughout the county.
Additionally, my team was honored to participate in this year's Pasco Hernando Hospice's Seeds of Hope Event in Hernando County.
Constituent Corner
My office recently received this email after my team intervened on her passport case.
I want to thank your office for the great job you did. I especially want to thank James for his efforts. I received my passport today. I am truly grateful. Once James got involved processes started moving. It is unfortunate I had to ask for your assistance in this matter, but your office performed admirably.
This is just one example of the work we do each day. Constituent services are a critical element of our congressional office. The federal government is a massive operation, and my office is available if you ever need assistance in navigating the bureaucracy or cutting through red tape. We are here to serve you!
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