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Dear Neighbor,
Last week was busy here at home and in DC. Before heading back to the Capitol, I held a ceremony to recognize local heroes, met with students about career preparation and talked to other neighbors to learn more about their priorities for Congress. In Washington, we passed a series of bills to support law enforcement and to protect consumers. Please continue reading to learn more about these and other efforts.
Making Washington Work for You: Each May, we celebrate Police Week and honor our heroes.
With the rise in dangerous anti-law enforcement rhetoric and spread of the defund the police movement, we have seen spikes in violent crime across the country and a tragic increase in violence against law enforcement officers. Now, more than ever, it is important that we support the law enforcement community and appreciate their daily efforts to keep our communities safe. Last week, we passed a series of pro law enforcement bills out of the House. I will always continue to back the Blue!
We also held a vigil last week to honor law enforcement officers who have been killed in the line of duty. May we always continue to honor the service and memory of those who have paid the ultimate cost in their efforts to ensure public safety.
Celebrating Success: Each year the Congressional Management Foundation recognizes the top Members of each party in the House and Senate for their efforts to serve constituents through casework, accessibility, accountability and communication. In total there are 16 finalists (2 Democrats and 2 Republicans) honored in four categories. I am humbled that this impartial group has recently announced that I am a finalist in two different categories this year. This is a testament to the incredible team that I have working tirelessly to serve our district each day. I am grateful for their efforts and will continue striving for new ways to meet your needs.
Protecting Consumers: Ten bills originating from my Innovation, Data and Commerce Subcommittee passed the House this week. They are designed to protect consumers and ensure America’s competitiveness. Click here to learn more.
One of those bills passing the House was my TICKET Act. There is nothing more disappointing for an avid fan than being lured into the prospect of an affordable ticket to see his or her favorite sports team or band only to learn later in the check-out process that the final price tag is significantly higher. My pro-consumer TICKET Act brings much needed transparency to the whole ticketing industry. I’ll keep working on reforms that protect consumers and provide certainty in the marketplace!
I also am continuing to push back against the Biden Administration's most recent proposal to ban credit card reward programs (which allow consumers to use points from items they purchase with their credit cards to earn hotel points, air miles or other perks). Americans do not want government interfering in their finances. We need less government intrusion, not more! In addition to limiting consumer choice, these proposals to ban popular credit card reward programs could be a significant blow to Florida’s economy. Click here to read more.
Improving Healthcare: In last week's Health Subcommittee, we reviewed several bills that will improve access to quality care, promote patient education and prevention, strengthen programs to help at-risk patients and invest in research that holds promise for the development of better treatments. The Subcommittee opted to advance five bills I co-authored. Click here to learn more.
I was also honored to receive the 2024 Diabetes Champion Award from the Diabetes Leadership Council acknowledging my work to improve patient outcomes by promoting prevention and education strategies, boosting early detection, enhancing access to quality care and maximizing coordinated care for diabetes patients and those who are at high risk for developing this debilitating disease. My goal is to empower patients and healthcare providers with tools they can use to optimize health, avoid costly complications, and enjoy a better quality of life.
Ensuring Connectivity: In last week's Communications and Technology Subcommittee, we examined the Administration’s management of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). In my questioning of agency officials, I stressed the importance of guaranteeing federal funding intended to connect rural Americans to the Internet is spent effectively as well as the need to ensure we are embracing emerging technology to harness future advancements.
Learning from You Here at Home: It was great to spend time with Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative customers at their annual event in East Pasco. These neighbors are concerned about ensuring the long-term affordability of energy and want to see common-sense decisions on domestic energy policies. I'll continue working on this priority.
Honoring our Local Heroes: As we celebrated National Police Week, I was honored to host my annual First Responders Dinner. Each agency in Florida’s 12th Congressional District was invited to nominate their First Responder of the Year for special recognition. Some of the heroes selected to represent their departments, included a Communications Officer who helped a coached a parent through CPR in order to resuscitate his infant, a School Resource Officer who used a defibrillator to revive an unresponsive middle school student with an undiagnosed heart condition, and a Firefighter/Paramedic who performed multiple life-saving interventions in one year. Every single person recognized has made a profoundly positive impact on our community and we are so grateful for their service and sacrifice!
I also had the chance to speak with local welding students at Central High School in Hernando County. We discussed the importance of having multiple career preparatory pathways available to all students so they are equipped to pursue high skill and high wage career opportunities in our regional workforce.
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 presented an Extension of Remarks in the Congressional Record to my 102 year old constituent, Ernest Scango, who was also receiving the prestigious insignia of “Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur” (“Knight in the Legion of Honor”) from the French government for his role in liberating France from the occupation during WWII. As a Member of the Greatest Generation, Mr. Scango and his fellow brothers and sisters-in-arms demonstrated incredible bravery and skill as they fought to save the world from the evils of Nazism, hatred and genocide. We all owe this hero a debt of gratitude that can never fully be repaid.
My team also spoke at the Sunlake High School Civil Air Patrol Cadet induction to welcome new cadets and thank them for their desire to serve.
Additionally, my team participated in the home dedication for Marissa Hooks as part of the East Pasco Habitat for Humanity Program.
Constituent Corner
My team recently received this message after helping a constituent with his Social Security Disability case.
I want to thank you and your office very much for helping me out with my issues with disability. After two months of contacting you, things are rolling again after a year and a half of trying myself. I can finally start to get my health going in the right direction having type one diabetes!! Once again thank you very much.
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! |
