|
Dear Neighbor,
Last Monday marked the 100th day of the Republican party taking control of the House. I’m proud of the work we’ve already accomplished as we strive to deliver on our promise to create an economy that is strong, a future that is free, a nation that is safe, and a government that is accountable. Below are just a few of the highlights. While some of these measures have stalled in the Senate or been vetoed by the President, my House colleagues and I will not stop fighting for you!
I know there is much more work to be done. Continue reading for a brief overview of my work on your behalf last week!
Making Washington Work for You: Energy prices continue to surge throughout the country, which is causing pain at the pump and in the electric bills of Floridians. I urge my Senate colleagues to pass HR 1, which we passed out of the House last month! It would roll back the anti-energy policies of the Biden Administration and provide the relief Americans deserve. Additionally, it would reform the permitting process and remove existing regulatory barriers to unleash domestic energy production! Click here to read more about the work we are doing to restore American energy production – which holds the key to lowering costs for all Americans.
Under the false guise of inclusivity, the left continues to push its liberal agenda at the expense of women and girls who have fought hard to secure Title IX protections in athletics. We cannot allow the progress made to protect Women and Girls’ sports to be eroded by those who would like male athletes to be allowed to compete against female athletes. The biological differences between males and females are irrefutable and offer a competitive advantage to those males allowed to participate in Women’s and Girls’ competitions. Commonsense and fundamental fairness must prevail, which is why I proudly voted for the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2023, which passed the House last week. It ensures that biological females compete against other biological females in women's competitive sports that are funded through Title IX.
On a related issue, Kaley Mudge, a softball player at Florida State University, recently accepted my invitation to testify at our recent hearing on college sports. Click here to read more about her thoughts. It is important that we level the playing field to protect all student athletes.
One of my priorities this Congress has been to stop this Administration’s egregious abuse of power. President Biden’s expansive Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule is federal government overreach at its worst, which is why I proudly supported H.J. Res 27 earlier this year as part of the Congressional Review Act. H.J. Res 27 would have overturned this harmful Biden Administration Policy to increase unelected bureaucrats’ regulatory power over families, small businesses, farmers, ranchers, homebuilders, infrastructure suppliers, state and local governments across the country. Unfortunately, the President vetoed H.J. Res 27. However, I stand firm in my belief that we need less government intrusion into our lives, not more! Last week, my colleagues and I attempted to override President Biden’s veto of H.J. Res 27. Unfortunately, only 10 Democrats supported private property rights over big government, and the veto override failed.
Another egregious example of government overreach has been the actions of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) under the Biden Administration. Last week was the first time the FTC Commissioners appeared before our oversight committee since July of 2021. Sadly, since that time all of the Republican Commissioners have resigned from office in protest over the actions of FTC Chairman Khan. There has also been a mass exodus of career employees leaving the institution. The agency is supposed to serve as a protective watch dog for America’s seniors and children while enforcing data and privacy protections for all Americans. Instead of embracing this important mission, the agency has diverted resources to follow a path of progressive pursuits that seek to expand the role of the federal government, silence free speech and punish businesses and entities that do not share a liberal ideological prospective. Federal courts have repeatedly struck down these attempts at power grabs by FTC leadership, which ought to signal to Chairman Khan that her focus is misdirected. Americans lost nearly $9 billion to scams in 2022, which reflects a 30% increase from last year, and over half a billion in Florida alone. The agency must quit pursuing its partisan agenda and instead prioritize the resources it has been given to help vulnerable Americans. We will hold them accountable for doing so. Click here watch me question the panel at last week’s hearing.
During last week’s Health Subcommittee hearing, we discussed a wide range of vital public health initiatives. I discussed the important role Community Health Centers play in ensuring access to quality care around the country for those who are insured, uninsured and underinsured and the need to reauthorize funding for these centers. We also discussed my pending legislation to ensure continued funding of the Special Diabetes Program. In the decades since its inception, this critical initiative has been responsible or the development of several significant breakthroughs that have helped create some of the newest treatments now available to patients. Click here to learn more about my bill.
And, in last week’s Communications and Technology hearing, we reviewed my bill to simplify the permitting process to deploy or modify communications facilities in flood prone areas. Click here to listen to me discussing how this important legislation will help Floridians.
Also, I was proud to receive the “True Blue” designation from the Family Research Council for once again earning a 100% rating for my pro-family values voting record! Please be assured that I will never stop fighting for Florida families.
Additionally, my colleague and I are also working to close the loophole that allows former lawmakers and candidates to abuse public trust. Click here to learn more about our efforts.
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.
A special thank you to the local middle and high school students and parents who attended my U.S. Service Academy Night last week. 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 provided students and families with the best information possible about how to prepare for this unique learning opportunity.
My team enjoyed participating in this the Citrus County Chamber of Commerce luncheon last week. It is great to see so many local business owners networking about ways they can work together to strengthen our community!
Additionally, my team enjoyed learning more about the programs and services offered to the community by Saint Leo University when they attended last week's Dade City Chamber breakfast meeting.
Constituent Corner
My office recently received this email after my team intervened on her IRS case.
I am very happy to tell you I not only received a letter from the IRS stating I am due a refund for 2021 but that the refund has already been deposited to my account. I can't thank you enough, and the people involved, for getting this straightened out. Please pass on my regards to those involved. Consider this case stemming from 2021 closed.
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!
|
