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Dear Neighbor,
Last week was busy in DC with several measures voted off the Floor and out of committee that will improve the lives of those I serve. Continue reading to learn more about my efforts on your behalf!
Making Washington Work for You:
Holding Biden Accountable: For more than two years, President Biden has engaged in reckless and irresponsible behavior that has jeopardized our national security, emboldened our adversaries, weakened support among our allies and made us less secure here at home. It has been one crisis after another with him at the helm, including: bloated government spending that fueled inflation and damaged small businesses, open border policies that have led to a record surge of migrants and fentanyl illegally entering our country, the botched withdrawal from Afghanistan that left behind Americans, allies, and assets while claiming the lives of 13 soldiers, the weaponization of federal agencies, and a constant barrage of government bureaucrats egregiously attempting to erode our Constitutional freedoms. His presidency has simply been a disaster and Americans continue to pay the price for his poor decision-making. When added to the backdrop of the growing body of evidence discovered by the House Oversight Committee revealing the Biden family engaged in a pattern of corruption, influence peddling, and potentially even bribery, while a weaponized DOJ engages in a politically-motivated witch hunt against a former President we should all be very concerned. We must remain firm in our resolve to ensure the rule of law and to hold President Biden accountable for his actions. We have a system of oversight in place to thoroughly investigate claims of misconduct, malfeasance and to ensure due process which is why I supported a measure last week to refer articles of impeachment presented by one of my colleagues to the House Ethics Committee for investigation in conjunction with the concurrent investigations of the Judiciary and Oversight Committees. Together, the committees will continue to investigate this corruption, gather firm evidence, and at the appropriate time present irrefutable proof of high crimes and misdemeanors to the full House and democrat-led Senate, who will then have no choice but to impeach, convict, and remove Biden from office.
Fighting for our Heroes: In a huge victory for more than 50,000 medically retired Veterans throughout the country, my Major Richard Star Act passed out of the House Armed Services Committee last week. This critical legislation seeks to rectify an injustice that keeps combat disabled Veterans from receiving full military benefits. Currently, medically retired Veterans are forbidden from receiving their full retirement pay and disability compensation. The Major Richard Star Act would repeal this unfair offset, allowing these disabled Veterans to receive both their retirement pay and their disability compensation. My bill has 324 co-sponsors in the House and its Senate companion has 66 co-sponsors. The brave men and women who return from serving our country should be able to receive the benefits promised to them. Military retirement pay and service-connected disability compensation are two completely different benefits. One does not diminish the merits of the other. I am committed to rectifying this injustice for all Veterans, and passage of the Major Richard Star Act will get us one step closer to our goal of ensuring that Veterans receive the benefits they have earned and deserve. I thank my colleagues for their support of my bill and ask for their help in continuing to get this bill past the finish line!
Improving our Healthcare System: Doctors, not bureaucrats, best understand the needs of their patients and should be empowered with the tools needed to provide the best possible care—especially when time is of the essence. My legislation will help remove the red tape within our healthcare system and ensure patients have timely access to their medications. Click here to learn more.
Also, in last week’s Health Subcommittee hearing, we reviewed a package to reauthorize the SUPPORT Act, which includes a variety of measures to improve mental health and substance abuse treatment options throughout the country. As part of this package, we considered three bills I authored. The first protects foster children’s access to mental health treatment through Medicaid. The second measure, the FIND Fentanyl Act, would create a federal pilot program to fund grants to improve screening for fentanyl exposure within communities. The third provision will help stop the illicit use of the highly dangerous sedative causing fatal overdoses nationwide, xylazine . Our goal is to save lives and to make sure law enforcement has the tools its needs to respond appropriately to those who are making these deadly concoctions killing so many of our neighbors. At the same time, we must ensure that those veterinarians who are using xylazine for legitimate purposes have the ability to continue doing so. Our legislation strikes that right balance. Click here to listen to me discussing these important initiatives during the hearing.
Additionally, last week, I was proud to vote for the CHOICE Arrangement Act which will offer incentives to small businesses who give flexible healthcare options to their employees.
Protecting Consumers and All Americans’ Privacy: This alarming new report shows that federal government agencies are stockpiling data on American citizens. Americans deserve privacy, which is another reason I am working to pass a uniform privacy standard to protect all Americans' sensitive information.
Also, I have worked on legislation to better protect consumers and increase transparency within the entertainment industry by requiring all entertainment vendors to fully disclose all fees upfront when selling tickets. Click here to learn more.
Advocating for Vulnerable Children: I am working on a couple of different measures to ensure kids placed in foster care get the support they need to heal! The first is legislation I filed that would protect foster kids' access to Medicaid. You can learn more about the second bill I am cosponsoring by clicking here.
Strengthening our Infrastructure: In last week’s Communication and Technology Oversight Hearing, I questioned the FCC about its lack of effort to protect internet resiliency following natural disasters. Access to information is key, especially in the aftermath of an emergency. The FCC can do more to strengthen our infrastructure in a manner that would improve post-disaster internet connectivity.
Defending our National Security: Last week, I proudly voted for a measure that would prevent the Biden Administration from being able to use public schools as shelters for migrants who have illegally entered our country. This administration has proven itself derelict in its ability to enforce our laws and secure the border. It needs to return to the policies that have proven effective in reducing illegal entries rather than continuously jeopardizing our national security by doubling down on its open border policies.
Additionally, it is important to remember that energy security is a vital part of national security. Alarmingly, the White House drew on Strategic Petroleum Reserves for the 11th consecutive week, bringing its balance to a 40-year low. Amidst high tensions with an increasingly aggressive China, it is unfathomable that the Biden Administration continues to threaten our energy security by draining our emergency reserves and refusing to unleash domestic production.
Restoring Sanity: Last week, I proudly voted in favor of the Middle Class Borrower Protection Act which would repeal President Biden’s disastrous home lending policy that actually penalizes prospective borrowers who have good credit scores and requires them to subsidize those with poor credit ratings and higher default risks.
Stopping Human Rights Violations: Last week, I chaired the Tom Lantos Human Right’s Commission Hearing during which we discussed the human rights violations perpetrated by the Azerbaijani government since 2020 against ethnic Armenians, particularly in Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijan has been enforcing a blockade of the Lachin Corridor, trapping 120,000 residents and causing shortages of food, medicine, and electricity. Our Commission discussed steps required to adequately protect the rights and safety of ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh, where Azerbaijan is on the cusp of a second Armenian Genocide. We also examined recommendations for U.S. policy to bring an end to the humanitarian crisis and human rights abuses and prevent another war between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Learning from You Here at Home:
Sponsoring the Congressional App Contest for Kids: I am inviting all middle and high school students who reside in Florida's 12th Congressional District to participate in the Congressional App Challenge! Find out the complete list of rules and how to submit an application here!
Supporting Small Business
Small Business is the backbone of our economy. Each week I highlight newly opened or expanded businesses in our community that my team or I have visited. Congratulations to these hard-working entrepreneurs and best wishes for their continued success as they realize their American Dream!
Lindsey Mouney of Citrus County celebrated the recent opening of her locally owned and operated branch of Century 21 Realty in Inverness.
Also, my team enjoyed participating in the Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce's annual awards and installation banquet. It is great to celebrate so many thriving local small businesses!
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 enjoyed attending the Phil Royal Gala in Inverness to celebrate the life and legacy of a wonderful public servant.
My team was grateful to participate in the Citrus County Mental Health Forum to discuss ways stakeholders can work together to remove the stigma surrounding mental health matters and improve access to treatment.
Additionally, my team was honored to join community leaders throughout Pasco to participate in Access East Pasco - a chance to highlight how we can improve collaboration to strengthen our community!
Constituent Corner
My office recently received this email after my team successfully helped him expedite his passport renewal application.
Thank you so much for the great news! My wife and I appreciate the help from your office, so that we won’t stress about it leading up to our trip.
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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