Congresswoman Lesko Weekly Update

Good Morning,

I hope everyone had a great week! It has been another busy week in Washington, D.C. If you would like to share this newsletter with others, please direct them to this link and encourage them to subscribe.

Lesko Supports the Second Amendment, Services for Veterans, and School Safety

I met with members of the Arizona Firearms Trade Association, Arizona Citizens Defense League, The DC Project, AZ Veterans, and Mountain Motorcycle Association of Arizona to discuss Second Amendment rights, services for veterans, school safety, and motorcycle safety.

Lesko Backs the Blue

I was proud to stand alongside House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and my House Republican colleagues to support our brave law enforcement officers in honor of National Police Week. We support those who protect and serve our communities.

Lesko Meets with Egyptian Ambassador

It was a pleasure to meet with the Egyptian Ambassador to the United States, Motaz Zahran, to discuss the challenges the war in Sudan has created and the diplomatic role Egypt has played in the Middle East.

Lesko Talks with Arizona Society of Anesthesiologists 

I met with the Arizona Society of Anesthesiologists to talk about high quality health care at the VA and how to properly implement the No Surprises Act, which protects people from unexpected medical bills.

Lesko Discusses Arizona Gas Prices

I met with business owners and executives of convenient stores, fuel stations, and energy suppliers to discuss high gas prices in Arizona.

Lesko Advocates for the Women's Bill of Rights

This week, I was proud to stand alongside Riley Gaines and my House Republican colleagues in support of women across the nation and urge Congress to pass my legislation, the Women's Bill of Rights.

Lesko Meets with Verizon 

It was great to meet with Verizon to discuss their economic impact and customer reach in our district. We also addressed increasing spectrum access.

Lesko Talks with National Utility Contractors Association's Arizona Chapter

I met with the Arizona Chapter of the National Utility Contractors Association to talk about the need to speed up permitting for construction.

Lesko Meets with Portland Cement Association

It was a pleasure meeting with the Portland Cement Association to talk about the important role concrete plays in our nation’s infrastructure.

Lesko Meets with Professional Compounding Centers of America 

I enjoyed speaking with the Professional Compounding Centers of America about how to preserve patient access to compound medications.

In the News

I want to make sure you don't miss a minute of what I’m doing to fight for Arizonans each and every day. Check out my latest interviews below. 

Fox News Radio

I joined Fox Across America to discuss how the FBI wrongfully punished whistleblowers, the Durham Report and the misinformation surrounding President Trump’s 2016 campaign, and House Republicans’ responsible plan for the debt crisis!

James T. Harris

I joined The Conservative Circus with James T. Harris to discuss how we live in an upside down world! I have to introduce legislation that defines what a man and woman is in federal law in order to combat the radical left's attack on women! Listen to my full interview below:

Todd Starnes 

I joined The Todd Starnes Show to discuss my Save Our Gas Stoves Act, the border crisis, and my Women’s Bill of Rights. Democrats are prioritizing their radical gender ideology and are going after gas stoves instead of solving the numerous crises they created! Listen to the full interview below:

Lesko Hosts Press Conference to Protect Women’s Rights

I hosted a press conference to highlight the need for Congress to pass the Women’s Bill of Rights to affirm the importance of acknowledging women and their unique and distinguishing characteristics and recognize their contributions to our nation. I was joined by Riley Gaines, a 12 time All-American swimmer with 5 SEC titles who was forced to share a locker room and then compete against biological male Lia Thomas at the 2022 NCAA Women’s Swimming Championship.

It is now more important than ever to affirm the biological differences between men and women to protect women’s hard-fought rights and ensure women have spaces reserved for them in society. I am grateful to my congressional colleagues for their support on this critical legislation, and to Riley Gaines for bravely sharing her story and standing up for female athletes. We will never stop advocating for these important protections for women!

Watch my remarks below:

Lesko Bill to Save Gas Stoves Passes Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee

My Save Our Gas Stoves Act to block the U.S. Department of Energy from implementing its proposed efficiency standard for gas cooking products passed out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Energy, Climate, and Grid Security with bipartisan support. President Biden’s Department of Energy proposed an extreme rule that is just a back door attempt to exert government control into every aspect of Americans’ lives in the name of the far left’s climate agenda. I will continue to fight to protect Americans’ consumer choice. I am grateful for my colleagues’ support on this important legislation, and I hope the bill comes up for a vote before the full committee soon. Watch my remarks:

Lesko Introduces Legislation to Bolster Domestic Uranium Production

I introduced the Domestic Uranium Saves America Act (Domestic USA Act) to provide a pathway for increased domestic uranium production by adding uranium to the United States’ Critical Minerals List. As a matter of national security, we should not be reliant on foreign adversaries for our critical mineral needs. Uranium plays a vital role in our nation’s nuclear capabilities and nuclear energy, but it is not currently listed as a critical mineral. I am introducing this legislation to add uranium to this list of critical minerals. This is an important step toward securing our supply chains, promoting domestic uranium mining, and reducing our reliance on foreign nations.

Lesko Reintroduces Legislation to Support Broadband Expansion

I reintroduced the Connecting And Building Lines for Expedited (CABLE) Expansion Act to enact clear approval process deadlines for franchise authorities relating to broadband projects. This legislation will expedite critical processes to remove roadblocks to rapid broadband expansion. Delays in the approval process are just one example of the roadblocks to expanding broadband access for Americans. I am pleased to introduce this critical legislation alongside my House Energy and Commerce Committee colleagues to remove barriers to broadband expansion and close the digital divide so that American families have the connectivity they need.

Lesko Talks Mishandling of Nursing Homes During COVID-19 Pandemic 

I am outraged by what I heard in the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic from witnesses whose parents died in New York nursing homes from COVID-19 and about New York covering up the deaths! The U.S. Department of Justice should investigate former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo for forcing nursing homes to take in COVID-19 positive patients. Watch my line of questioning below:

GET THE FACTS: President Biden's Out-of-Control Border Crisis

Each month under President Biden's watch, the crisis at our southern border gets even worse. In April 2023, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) had 211,401 illegal migrant encounters at the southern border, which is a 10 percent increase from March 2023. 48,243 illegal migrants, or 23 percent of the total encounters, were repeat encounters. Additionally, CBP apprehended 16 people on the FBI's terror watchlist.  Fentanyl seizures at the border increased by 14 percent in April 2023. Since the fiscal year 2019, fentanyl seizures have increased by more than 400 percent. It is simply unacceptable that the Biden Administration and Secretary Mayorkas sit by idly as this humanitarian crisis intensifies. With Title 42's expiration more than a week ago, the crisis at the border is expected to get worse. For these very reasons, House Republicans introduced H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act. This critical legislation is the strongest border security package in history. It resumes the construction of the border wall, ends catch and release, reinstates the Remain in Mexico policy, and properly funds Border Patrol. These are vital steps in ending President Biden's border crisis!

Around the District

Monica from our office attended the grand opening of Advance Auto Parts in Peoria, AZ. Welcome to Arizona’s 8th Congressional District!

Michael from our office attended the 2023 Military Induction Ceremony with Mayor Weiers of Glendale, AZ and retired General Robin Rand of the U.S. Air Force. More than 350 high school seniors were recognized for making the decision to join the U.S. military after graduation!

Monica from our office presented a Congressional Recognition to the Rise Up! Glendale Coalition, a non-profit that focuses on preventing substance use and abuse in the youth community. Thank you for all you do!

Monica from our office also presented a Congressional Recognition to the Peoria Primary Prevention Coalition, which empowers our youth to live a drug-free lifestyle through education and other programs. We are proud to have them in our district! 

Casework Highlight

A constituent contacted our office after not receiving her 2021 tax refund and was unable to get an update from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Our office contacted the IRS, and inquired about the status of her refund. As a result of our inquiry, the constituent received her refund.

Tell Congresswoman Lesko

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We are Here to Help

As always, my office is here to help. My Surprise district office is open and serving constituents. To make an appointment with the office, please call 623-776-7911.

My Washington, D.C. office is open and answering your calls. Please feel free to contact us via phone at 202-225-4576 or via email by going to my website at https://lesko.house.gov/contact/.

I encourage you to visit the website and to also follow me on Twitter, Instagram, Parler, Gettr, and Truth Social, and like my Facebook page for up to date information on what I'm doing and how my office can help you.

May God continue to bless you and our great Nation.

Sincerely,

Congresswoman Debbie Lesko