Hello Friend,

Welcome to my e-newsletter, the Ready Room. As a retired Naval Aviator, the Ready Room is special to me because it’s where fellow aviators meet to brief and debrief missions. This is my weekly briefing to you on my mission in Congress. Please follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube for regular updates on how my team and I are working to serve you in Congress.

INCREASING ACCESS TO VA CARE

As a veteran, I understand how challenging the VA can be to navigate, especially while experiencing a health crisis. Far too often, vets suffer in painful or threatening situations waiting for a scheduled specialty care visit. That’s unacceptable. Veterans have earned the highest quality care, and Congress must hold the VA accountable to provide it quickly and reliably.  

That's why I introduced the SCHEDULES Act to establish a comprehensive standard for timing between referrals and appointments for care at VA facilities. This important bill will ensure the VA swiftly provides, not just schedules, needed care. Senator Rick Scott is leading this effort in the Senate. I urge the House act soon to pass this important legislation.

DEMANDING ANSWERS ABOUT "FOREVER CHEMICALS" AT MILITARY BASES 

Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination has been found at hundreds of military installations across the country.  PFAS, dubbed a forever chemical, poses a health and cancer risk for servicemembers and their families. 

That's why I joined Senators Scott and Rubio  to urge Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to expedite progress of DoD's PFAS remediation efforts and to demand answers about the extent of the health impacts of PFAS  exposure in the groundwater. Click here to read the full letter.

NO MORE FUNDING FOR CONFUCIUS CLASSROOMS

Confucius Classrooms--Chinese language and learning centers funded and supported by the Chinese government-- are still hosted in K-12 schools across the country.  That can’t continue. Not one penny of federal funding should be allowed to fund Chinese Communist Party (CCP) influence in our education system.

That's why I cosponsored H.R. 6816, the Promoting Responsible Oversight to Eliminate Communist Teachings for Our Kids (PROTECT Our Kids) Act, to prohibit access to federal funds for schools that receive direct or indirect support from the CCP. Click here to learn more.

Test Your Knowledge #CivicsWithScott!

Which of the following was a weakness of the Articles of Confederation?

A. The government did not have a separate judicial branch.
B. The states could not print their own currency.
C. The president was able to spend taxes freely.
D. The government had too much power over trade.

Last Week's Question

What role did George Washington play in the 1787 Constitution Convention?

A. He did not attend
B. President of the convention - Correct answer
C. Delegate from New York
D. Secretary of the convention

It is an honor and privilege to represent you in Congress. Please take a moment to fill out my latest constituent survey here. Your feedback helps me better represent you. For more information on constituent services, current legislation, and to sign up for my e-newsletter, please visit my website at franklin.house.gov. 

Best regards,

C. Scott Franklin
Member of Congress