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Dear Neighbor,
Last week, we made significant progress on several national priorities. However, there is much more work to do as we seek to secure our border, ensure the sustainability of critical programs, expand access to quality health care, safeguard our nation’s infrastructure, and push back against foreign aggression. Continue reading to learn more about my efforts on your behalf!
Making Washington Work for You
Securing our Border: Americans have had enough of the chaos unfolding at our border. Secretary Mayorkas has refused to enforce existing laws and his actions have clearly made our nation less safe, which is why I voted again to impeach him. You can read more about my decision to take this historic step here. While impeaching DHS Secretary Mayorkas is not enough to end the Biden border crisis; it is an important start. My colleagues and I have also passed the strongest border security bill in history. Yet, Senator Schumer and extreme Senate Democrats have refused to bring that critical bill to a vote. I will continue using every tool at my disposal to pressure President Biden to do the right thing and secure the border.
Ensuring the Sustainability of Social Security: During a recent forum, I was asked about the importance of sustaining critical programs that support seniors. Let me be clear - we have an obligation to ensure the long-term solvency of Social Security. I’ve sponsored legislation to remove the politics from the equation by putting together a non-partisan commission to develop solutions. However, I will never support any measure that negatively impacts current recipients or those who are near retirement.
Keeping Americans Safe: Americans deserve the confidence of knowing that once a criminal has been locked away, that the perpetrator cannot continue to victimize others from behind bars. Yet too often, we’ve seen prisoners use illegal devices to facilitate escape attempts, coordinate murders, and endanger children to sexual predators. Enough is enough! We can lower the incidence of criminal acts taking place from behind bars by cracking down on those who smuggle electronic devices into prisons and on those who are found in possession of these illegal devices. Click here to learn more about the legislation I’ve filed to achieve that goal.
Ensuring Access to Quality Health Care: I was honored to receive the Distinguished Community Champion Award from the Florida Association of Community Health Centers last week. Community health centers play a vital role in providing primary care, behavioral health and dental services to those who are insured, uninsured and under insured. I will continue working to ensure they have the resources needed to serve this critical function in our healthcare system.
Also, in last week's Health Subcommittee hearing, we examined legislative proposals to support patients and caregivers, including my Congenital Heart Futures Reauthorization Act. Click here to listen to my discussion about how this measure will help patients with Congenital Heart Disease and their families.
Securing Critical Infrastructure and Energy Exports: In last week’s Communications and Technology Subcommittee hearing, we examined proposals to strengthen protections and secure American Communications Networks from Foreign Adversaries. This is a critical priority, especially given the increased aggression we are seeing against American interests around the globe. Click here to watch my exchange with the panelists on this subject.
I also proudly voted for the Unlocking our Domestic LNG Potential Act, which passed the House. This bill lifts all restrictions on the import and export of natural gas, with strong protections to prohibit trade with a person or foreign country under sanction or listed as a state sponsor of terrorism. President Biden is putting radical environmentalists above American families. My colleagues and I are determined to protect American jobs, lower costs, unleash homegrown American energy, help our allies, and reduce emissions.
Standing Up Against the Chinese Communist Party (CCP): I also voted in support of the No Dollars To Uyghur Forced Labor Act. This important legislation will prevent the State Department and US Agency for International Development from purchasing any goods made by forced labor in the Xinjiang province of China. The Chinese government has arbitrarily detained over 1 million Uyghurs and other religious and ethnic minorities in Xinjiang. It is believed that at least 100,000 Uyghurs in the region may be subjected to forced labor in industries such as textiles, lithium-ion batteries, and polysilicon solar panels. A strong stance against products made with forced labor is critical to pushing back against China's blatant human rights abuses and illegal market activity.
As Co-Chairman of the International Religious Freedom Caucus, I have been sounding the alarm about China’s horrific human rights violations for many years by, for instance, sponsoring legislation to publicly condemn the CCP's one child policy, coerced abortions, and coerced sterilizations at appropriate international forums. China is not our friend, and indeed, poses the biggest threat to our national security. In the face of rising Chinese aggression and human rights abuses, we must change our approach when dealing with this adversary–and stopping federal funds from supporting Chinese forced labor is a step in the right direction.
Working with Local Officials: Last week, I had the chance to meet with Pasco County Commissioners Kathryn Starkey and Jack Mariano while they were visiting Washington, DC. Constituents win when leaders at all levels work together to solve the problems facing the community they serve. I will continue working with all local leaders to accomplish this goal!
Supporting Local Non-Profits: I was also honored to receive the Congressional Champion Award from the National YMCA last week. Since its inception in the United States in the mid-1950s, the YMCA has become an integral part of our culture’s fabric sparking a spirit of creativity, promoting health and wellness initiatives, and emphasizing the importance of lifelong education for all learners. Each location provides wholesome, life-enriching activities and actively contributes to the betterment of the communities they serve. We are fortunate to have active YMCA’s operating in Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties. Their dedicated volunteers help engage residents of all ages and they have left a lasting imprint on the lives of countless individuals in our community.
Learning from You Here at Home: It was an incredible honor to speak at this year’s Citrus County Purple Heart Veterans Celebration. It was tremendous to see so many neighbors come out to celebrate the heroism of these men and women who went above and beyond the call of duty in their service to our country. May we always salute these heroes for their valor and bravery.
Also, I am grateful to the Knights of Columbus in Citrus County for inviting me to join them at their annual gala to honor and support local veterans in need and their families. I had a wonderful time supporting such an important cause.
I had a productive conversation with a few members of my Citrus Advisory Committee last week. The best ideas always come from those we serve and I appreciate these community leaders taking the time to share their thoughts about how Congress can make a positive impact.
Additionally, I enjoyed listening to Tampa General Hospital’s new CEO, John D. Couris, about his organization’s plans to improve healthcare opportunities throughout Hernando and Citrus counties.
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 proudly attended the home dedication in Pasco's Do Good Village that was given to wounded Veterans US Navy Petty Office Jerry Padgett and his family last week.
My team also celebrated the opening of a new tranquility garden at the Pasco Kids First therapy center in New Port Richey.
Additionally, my team toured Operation PAR's Inverness location. Operation PAR provides substance abuse treatment to those struggling with addiction.
Constituent Corner
I recently received this message from a constituent after my team helped with her son's VA claim.
Thank you so much for your intervention and support. It was not easy, but as you can see from the attached, our request for a VA benefits reassessment of our son, Michael, was successful. Please express our appreciation to the Congressman. You have made a huge difference in the medical care and support Michael will receive as a result of his service to our country. You are the best.
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! |
