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Dear Neighbor,
It was another busy – yet disappointing week in Washington DC. The last of the FY2024 budget bills were up for a final vote in the House. Despite a few conservative wins in the package, the measure, which included funding for the Department of Homeland Security, fell far short of what is needed to secure our nation’s border. Therefore, I voted no. While I understand that Republicans only control one half of one branch of the government, which makes it difficult to govern, we simply can’t cede our power of the purse to liberal Democrats who have created many of the crises we face. And, we can never compromise when it comes to matters of national security. We have a sacred obligation to keep our country safe and the final budget package fell short of that moral imperative. Despite this set-back, I will never stop fighting for you – and for our country.
Please continue reading for a brief overview of my work on your behalf last week!
Making Washington Work for You:
Protecting Children: I had a heart-breaking discussion with Cheryl McCormick Brown, a constituent whose daughter, McKenna, recently lost her life to suicide after being cyberbullied. I’m inspired by Cheryl's passion to help improve online safety for children and teens and look forward to working with her.
Restoring Fiscal Sanity: The Consumer Price Index (CPI), a key inflation index, came in higher than expected in February, increasing at an annual rate of 3.2% with overall prices up 18.6% since Biden took office. Bidenomics continues to hurt Americans. It is time to restore fiscal sanity.
Strengthening National Security and Protecting Your Privacy: Last week, the House unanimously passed a bill I co-authored, the Protecting Americans’ Data from Foreign Adversaries Act of 2024. We will not allow our adversaries to undermine American national security and individual privacy by purchasing people’s personally identifiable sensitive information from data brokers. This legislation is another key step towards strengthening data protections and safeguarding our nation from foreign adversaries. Click here to listen to me discussing our bill on the House Floor.
Addressing National Security and Public Safety Concerns: The invasion taking place at our border is the most serious national security threat facing our nation. Despite repeated pleas for action, President Biden simply refuses to take the steps within his control to secure our border. As a result, terrorists who hate our country and want to destroy our communities are invading. This most recent terrifying example should alarm every American. President Biden’s continued dereliction of duty is grounds for impeachment!
My colleagues and I are also calling on President Biden to authorize the US Navy to stop the anticipated invasion of Florida from Haitian refugees. While Governor DeSantis has proactively engaged the Florida National Guard to protect Florida's coastline, the federal government has a responsibility to deal with this emerging national security issue. Click here to learn more.
Additionally, my colleagues and I are urging the Biden Administration to officially designate the dangerous Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua as a transnational criminal organization. Doing so will raise national awareness of this serious public safety threat, as well as deploy necessary resources and sanctions that will help to curb the escalating crime and violence threatening communities across the United States.
Preventing Government Overreach: The Biden Administration’s disastrous energy policies have raised costs for hard working Americans and placed the energy security of our country and allies at risk. Last week, my colleagues and I continued our efforts to reverse these actions by passing two bills. The Restoring American Energy Dominance Act would block a Bureau of Land Management’s proposed rule (and any future rule) that would stifle American energy production on federal land and burden small businesses. The Protecting American Energy Production Act would prevent President Biden from implementing a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing to protect American energy production while asserting that states have primacy over energy production on state and private land.
In its pursuit of a so-called “Green Agenda,” the Biden Administration has erected countless bureaucratic roadblocks that have created a hostile regulatory environment for those wishing to business in the country. I was proud to vote in support of the Creating Confidence in Clean Water Permitting Act which will reform and restore permitting processes under the Clean Water Act. This bill will improve transparency, provide greater regulatory certainty, and restore consistency throughout the permitting process.
I’ll also keep pushing back against the Biden Administration’s attempts to finalize a rule that would limit Americans’ choice of automobiles – as it is just the latest example in a long line of this Administration’s efforts to control all aspects of our lives. Americans deserve the freedom to decide what kind of cars they want to drive.
Improving Patient Outcomes: In last week’s Energy & Commerce Mark-up, we passed many bills designed to promote public health initiatives and improve patient outcomes, including my Congenital Heart Futures Reauthorization Act of 2024. This important bill reauthorizes critical research and awareness efforts at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on the causes, prevention, and development of better treatments for patients suffering with Congenital Heart Disease (CHD). We also passed the Building Our Largest Dementia (BOLD) Infrastructure for Alzheimer's Act of 2024, which I have co-sponsored. The BOLD Act will help drive breakthrough research, early screening and detection, as well as provide educational resources to dementia patients and their families.
As Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Parkinson's Disease, I was proud to speak at a recent iTVS screening of the inspirational documentary, "Matter of Mind: My Parkinson's" that highlights three patients’ courageous battle with this debilitating disease. One of the goals of our Caucus is to raise awareness about the disease and the challenges patients and their loved ones face so that we can garner support for policies in Congress that help Parkinson's patients. I am proud to be a part of such an important mission!
Additionally, during last week’s Health Subcommittee Hearing, we discussed the importance of ensuring patient access to diagnostic testing. The technological advancements being made in this field are truly life changing, as they allow for earlier identification and intervention in the disease process. Unfortunately, the FDA has proposed a rule to classify diagnostic tests into the same category as medical devices which will lead to delayed access for many patients.
Demanding Accountability: Americans deserve a government that is accountable, especially when it comes to how taxpayer dollars are used. The Cutting Green Corruption and Taxes Act, which passed the House this week with my support, repeals the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. Through committee testimony, it has been revealed that Biden’s EPA is using this $27 billion fund to issue grants specifically developed for Biden’s political allies. Democrats should not use your tax dollars to create a slush fund for their political allies with no oversight or accountability to taxpayers.
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 was proud to attend the ribbon cutting of Premier’s beautiful new facility in New Port Richey. Premier is the federally-qualified community health center that has serves Pasco and Hernando counties. It has been providing high quality healthcare, dental and behavioral health services in Pasco for more than 45 years. I’m a proud supporter of community health centers throughout our country as they represent part of what is working well in our nation’s system. They serve insured, uninsured and uninsured patients.
My team also participated in a Senior Expo in West Pasco to help share resources about services available to seniors throughout the community.
Additionally, my team enjoyed supporting an Operation Wounded Warrior Project event in Citrus County. This wonderful organization has helped so many of our nation’s heroes and we are grateful for the opportunity to celebrate its success!
Constituent Corner
One of the most frequently asked questions my office receives is "How do I file a VA Disability Claim for a Service-Connected injury or illness?" This website provides comprehensive instructions for doing so. Of course any constituent having questions or difficulty is encouraged to call my office for assistance. I recently received this message from a constituent after my team filed a Congressional inquiry to expedite review of her husband's VA claim due to the fact that he had been diagnosed with a terminal illness.
Thank you for helping me with my husband's VA claim. This whole process has been very frustrating but it is refreshing to finally have someone on our side fighting for us.
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! |
