I wanted to shoot you a quick note to update you on last night’s State of the Union address and what it meant for me and my constituents in South Florida.

One of the great honors of being in Congress is being able to invite a guest to the State of the Union. I was so happy that Marsella Munoz, a 16-year-old scientific diver in-training from Key West, was able to join me yesterday.

As a fellow diver, Marsella and I had a lot to talk about! We discussed what we are both seeing with our own eyes off the coasts of South Florida: climate change is rapidly affecting our waters and our reefs. Before President Trump gave his speech, I called on him to address the threat that climate change poses to our reefs.

Even as he continues to ignore this problem, I am fighting with my colleagues in the House to pass legislation protecting South Florida’s environment and the Everglades from degradation.

Marsella and I wore pins to show our support for the environment, migrant children who have been cruelly separated from their families, and women’s equality. I also joined the Democratic Women's Caucus and wore white to celebrate 100 years of women’s suffrage, and acknowledge all the work we must still do to achieve women’s equality.

As for the speech itself: it was disappointing, but not surprising.

President Trump used the evening to pander to his base and spread misinformation. He made empty promises about health care, even while his administration undermines protections for people with pre-existing conditions. And he is lying to our faces when he says that he wants to protect Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security -- programs he is trying to cut in his budget.

An email pointing out all of Trump’s lies, exaggerations, and inaccuracies would be way too long, but I found this fact check informative.

I ended this year’s State of the Union with mixed feelings. I am upset that President Trump and the Republicans keep ignoring the issues that matter to us all: lowering prescription drug prices, reducing gun violence, and fighting climate change.

But I also left optimistic from my conversations with Marsella and from being with my colleagues who are full of energy to serve the people.

I was elected to Congress to fix problems for my constituents. Last year, I worked with my colleagues to pass hundreds of bipartisan bills that would do just that. I look forward to continuing that crucial work.

Warm regards,
Debbie

Paid for by Debbie for Congress