Happy Birthday, Arizona!

Yesterday we celebrated Arizona's birthday! I took a moment to recognize Arizona's 108th birthday on the floor of the House of Representatives. Arizona is the greatest state in our Nation, and I am so blessed to call the Grand Canyon State home. Watch my remarks below:

Two New Pieces of Bipartisan Legislation

This week, I introduced two new pieces of bipartisan legislation. 

• H.R. 5827, the Trusted Traveler REAL ID Relief Act of 2020, which allows domestic travelers to use TSA PreCheck instead of a REAL ID when the REAL ID deadline begins on October 1, 2020. My bill also requires the TSA to have a plan in place for the thousands of travelers who show up to the airport on October 1 without a REAL ID. Learn more about my bill here: Lawmaker wants to buy you more time to get Arizona Travel ID.
  
  
• H.R. 5828, the DHS Illicit Border Tunnel Defense Act, which authorizes funding for Customs and Border Protection to remediate illicit tunnels found at our southern border. Just a few weeks ago, the longest illicit cross-border tunnel on record was discovered with a rail cart system, forced air ventilation, high voltage electrical cables, and even an elevator. As more of the border wall is built, cartels and other criminal organizations will look for alternative ways to get across the border. We must be looking out for tunnels and have the ability to close them as quickly as possible. 

Mobile Office Hours Next Week

Constituents seeking assistance with Social Security, Medicare, veteran and military issues, or other federal agencies will be able to meet with a member of my staff in Sun City West and Glendale on Wednesday, February 19. Here are the details: 

Wednesday, February 19 – Inspira Arrowhead
20240 N. 78th Ave, Glendale, AZ 85308
10:00am-12:00pm

Wednesday, February 19 – PORA (Sun City West Property Owners Association)
13815 W. Camino Del Sol, Sun City West, AZ 85375
10:00am-12:00pm

Casework Highlight

A veteran in our district received an overpayment of benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Knowing he was not entitled to the money, he returned the checks to the Treasury Department. The Treasury Department did not alert the VA, so the VA erroneously sent him to collections for not repaying the money. The veteran paid off the collection and tried to have the erroneous collection removed. He tried for three years to resolve this issue before coming to our office. After our office intervened, he was given a refund of the collection money and the negative remark was removed from his credit report.

May God continue to bless you and our great Nation!

Sincerely,

Congresswoman Debbie Lesko