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Dear Neighbor,
August is my favorite time of year. Since Congress is not in session, I am able to spend the entire month meeting with constituents and attending events throughout our community. These direct interactions help ensure I stay connected with the concerns and priorities of those I represent. Continue reading for a brief recap of my work on your behalf last week.
Making Washington Work For You
Restoring Fiscal Discipline: A new CBS poll shows most Americans do not feel good about the state of our economy. That is one of the reasons I voted for a historic 1% cut for this year's budget if Congress does not pass all 12 Appropriations bills before the end of the calendar year. We have to restore fiscal sanity and help get our country back on the right track!
There is a reason that Americans don’t have a positive view about our current economic conditions. President Biden’s failed economic policies have caused Americans to take a pay cut for 26 straight months as they grappled with record inflation. Crushing inflation is taking a toll on Americans and it is now more than twice the level it was when President Biden took office.
Fitch Ratings also downgraded the U.S. credit rating from AAA to AA+ last week, citing continued erosion of governance, fiscal deterioration, and growing government debt. This should alarm every American and should be a wake-up to my colleagues who are not taking our dire financial situation seriously enough. We need to continue to rein in government spending and re-implement common-sense policies that restore fiscal responsibility to help Americans thrive.
Improving Access to Quality Healthcare Options: As discussed in this local news story, several of the healthcare priorities I am working on are continuing to advance through the legislative process.
Protecting Consumers: My bill to stop California’s gas-powered vehicle ban advanced through the House Energy and Commerce Committee last week, which sets up a vote on the House Floor next month. If California bans all gas-powered vehicles, as the California Air Resources Board is attempting to do, it will have a cascading negative impact on all American consumers. Nationally, the cost of living will increase, blackouts and brownouts will become more frequent and commuting families across the country will suffer. Click here to learn more about my bill.
Also, I am continuing to push for reforms to protect consumers from scams! Click here to learn more about my efforts.
Learning from You Here at Home:
It was great to join Citrus County leaders to celebrate the groundbreaking of the long- awaited Inverness Airport Business Park last week. I will continue to support these important economic development opportunities throughout our community.
While at that event, I was also honored to present my challenge coin to my constituent, U.S. Space Force 2nd Lieutenant Catherine Schlabach. Thank you for your continued service to our country, Lt. Schlabach!
It was also great to give a legislative update to the Seven Spring Rotary in New Port Richey last week. These civic-minded leaders in our community do so much to make Pasco County a better place to live, work and play. I was proud to share an update on the work I am doing on their behalf and to listen to their concerns for our country.
Additionally, I enjoyed sitting down with local behavioral healthcare advocates to discuss ways we can work together to increase access to treatment throughout our community.
Later this month, I will be holding a behavioral health forum in Hernando County to gain additional insight into this important issue.
Supporting Small Businesses
Small businesses are 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 & best wishes for their continued success as they realize their American Dream!
Curt Fritzeen, owner of Callicarpa Salon, recently opened his new business in Inverness.
Constituent Corner
My office recently received this letter after my team helped him with a VA problem.
I had recently been told that I could no longer submit paper copies of my travel reimbursement to the VA which is a problem since I do not have a computer. I called your office for help and was directed to the right person at the VA who then mailed me a paper copy of the form and told me how I can continue receiving these reimbursements. Since I drive such a long way to my VA appointments, these reimbursements are really helpful. I appreciate your staff's assistance with this problem.
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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