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Dear Neighbor,
Last week was quite eventful in Washington, DC and here at home. I participated in two hearings about using emergent technologies to increase online security and to improve public safety communications. I also hosted a tele-townhall for small business owners and a forum to gather input from local stakeholders on reauthorization of the federal farm bill, which occurs once every five years. Continue reading to learn more about these and other efforts on your behalf last week.
Making Washington Work for You As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Innovation, Data and Commerce (IDC) Subcommittee, I’m responsible for a wide range of public policy issues that involve consumer protection, data security, and privacy. In last week’s IDC Subcommittee hearing, we discussed emerging ledger technologies, like blockchain. The application of these technologies have the potential to increase digital commerce, strengthen supply chains and enhance data privacy and security. It is critical that we cultivate a regulatory environment that rewards innovation and entrepreneurship while ensuring continued American leadership as we embrace the power of these transformational technologies. To hear my comments during the hearing, click here.
Also, during last week’s Communications & Technology Subcommittee hearing, we examined the important role that AM radio plays within our nation’s emergency communication system and the implications associated with the growing trend of automobiles being made without this feature. Click here to listen to my remarks.
Additionally, start-up companies throughout the country are facing increasing challenges as they try to navigate the regulatory landscape in each state. This op-ed explains why we need a uniform national data privacy standard. As Chair of the IDC Subcommittee, I am actively working to address this problem through the creation of a uniform national privacy policy. Please be assured I will continue to do all I can to protect consumers!
Saving Lives: Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody is calling on Congress to pass the Combatting Illicit Xylazine Act, which I co-authored. Our bill will help tackle this growing problem that is claiming far too many lives! I am also working to sustain lifesaving research of treatments for childhood cancer. You can read more about my work on this important issue here. Additionally, I’ve filed legislation to ensure all Medicare patients continue to have access to office-based specialty care providers who incorporate the use of high-tech medical equipment for in-office procedures, such as interventional radiology, vascular surgery, radiation oncology, venous and lymphatic medicine, nephrology, and urology. These highly vulnerable patients must have access to this life saving treatment. Click here to learn more about my bill.
Learning from You Here at Home: It was great to meet recently with local farmers from Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties to discuss reauthorization of the federal farm Bill. I appreciate their daily hard work to keep America fed and their insight on what is currently working well and what needs to be tweaked! After the meeting, I compiled a list of the group’s most pressing concerns and shared it with my colleagues in Washington, D.C. who are leading work on the package. I will continue to seek opportunities for my constituents to have a strong voice in the legislative process as the U.S. House considers this historic legislation.
Also, a special thank you to all the local small business owners who participated in my tele-townhall with senior leaders of the Small Business Administration (SBA) last week. With raging inflation, supply chain disruptions and workforce shortages, many small business owners have been struggling. We must create an environment in which these entrepreneurs can thrive and expand, as they employ almost half of all Americans. To learn more about SBA programs in our area, please visit the SBA website.
Also, I am very grateful to the Hernando County Fine Arts Council for its support of the arts in education. This fantastic organization recently presented Madeline Teague, the winner of the District 12 Congressional Art Competition, with a sponsorship award to enable her to travel to Washington, DC later this month when her artwork will be hung in the Capitol Building. Again, congratulations to Madeline and thank you to the Hernando Fine Arts Council for facilitating this amazing opportunity.
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 was honored to attend the re-opening of Hugh Embry Library in Dade City. This beautiful facility is a tremendous resource in our community.
My team also enjoyed a presentation by Pasco-Hernando State College about the work its foundation is doing to provide relevant workforce training opportunities throughout Pasco and Hernando counties.
Additionally, my team was pleased to celebrate the recent grand opening of the Citrus Springs Civic Association.
Constituent Corner
My office recently received this email after my team intervened to help on his passport case.
Thank you for helping my brother-in-law, Mike, renewing his passport! You are miracle workers and we are, at this very moment, dancing in the streets! Special thanks to Colleen, and Aiden, for their help getting the ball rolling! We are so grateful! Thank you again!
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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