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.

PRESERVING FLORIDA'S NATURAL BEAUTY

Big Cypress National Preserve (the Preserve) has been home to the Miccosukee Tribe and plays a vital role in Southwest Florida. This Florida gem attracts visitors and provides recreating for local communities. However, the Department of Interior is proposing to designate the Preserve as a "wilderness area." This designation places severe restrictions on how preserve lands can be accessed. It would prevent Tribal citizens from visiting their ceremonial sites, destroy local small businesses and restrict access to Floridians who have used the land for generations. That's why I introduced H.R. 8206 to block the Biden Administration from finalizing any wilderness designation of Big Cypress. Click here to read more. 

BLOCKING AG LABOR UNION REGULATIONS

Last week, the Department of Labor's (DOL) finalized a new 600-page rule that will raise costs on Florida agricultural produces and allow non-citizen farmworkers to unionize. The regulation also creates a dangerous loophole ripe for abuse, allowing legal and labor activists to trespass onto private farm and ranch property to organize. In 2021, the Supreme Court held that granting access to third-party union organizers threatens agricultural producers’ sacred private property rights. To protect Florida’s Heartland and ensure the Biden Administration can never enforce such a burdensome regulation, I introduced H. J. Res. 135 last week alongside 17 of my colleagues. My bill utilizes the Congressional Review Act (CRA), which is a special legislative procedure that allows Congress to overturn agency action while prohibiting the agency from any similar action in the future. Click here to learn more. 

WELCOMING POLK COUNTY FLIGHT TO HONOR

It was a privilege to welcome WWII veterans from Polk County last week in Washington, D.C. Flight to Honor Polk is organized by the Polk County Veterans council and gives disabled and aging war veterans a unique opportunity to visit America’s war memorials free of charge. As a fellow veteran, I’m pleased to welcome these heroes and support this meaningful effort. Interested veterans can apply here.

Test Your Knowledge #CivicsWithScott!

Former Vice-President Aaron Burr was tried for what crime in 1807?

A. Murder
B. Tax evasion 
C. Fraud
D. Treason

Last Week's Question

Which act gave settlers 160 acres of land if they agreed to live on it for five years?

A. Public Lands Act
B. Homestead Act - Correct answer
C. Bounty Land Act
D. Land Act

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