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Dear Neighbor,
While the healdlines last week were dominated by President Trump's awesome performance in the debate against President Biden, there was quite a bit that happened in Washington, DC too. Please continue reading for a brief overview of my work on your behalf.
Making Washington Work for You
Protecting the Unborn: Last week marked the second anniversary of the Dobbs vs. Jackson Supreme Court ruling which overturned Roe vs. Wade and paved the way for states throughout the country to enact laws that better protect the lives of unborn children. I remain unapologetically pro-life and will continue to do all I can to fight for the unborn! There were several pro-life provisions that passed as part of last week's Appropriations packages.
Protecting Our Children: This story highlights why I am so determined to advance the Kids Online Safety Act and you can watch an interview of me discussing this important issue by clicking here. We simply must empower parents by giving them the tools needed to keep their kids safe and enhance protections for kids when they are online.
Taking our National Security Seriously: The Biden Border Crisis continues to rage. In May of 2024 – there were 185% more illegal encounters at the southern border as compared to the average May encounters under President Trump.
In response to public pressure, the President pretended to crack down on the open-border catastrophe by issuing an Executive Order two weeks ago. However, his actional will actually worsen the crisis. More recently, he’s been trying to play both sides by granting amnesty to hundreds of thousands of illegal aliens through another Executive Order. What a slap in the face to all those who have followed the law and waited their turn.
President Biden’s dangerous catch and release scheme and his open border policies continue to endanger the lives of Americans. His own Administration now admits that they have lost track of 50 illegal aliens with ties to ISIS that cannot currently be located within the country. Despite what the President may think – border security is not a game – it’s a matter of national security!
We’ve also seen a wave of crimes throughout the country being perpetrated by those who are here illegally. This is the result of Biden’s dangerous policies that encourage illegal aliens to ignore our laws and flood into the country. We need to secure our border and send these criminals home!
Last week, I was proud to vote in favor of the FY2025 Homeland Security Appropriations Act. If enacted, it will provide funding to secure our Southern and Northern Borders and put an end to the Biden border crisis that has jeopardized the safety and security of every American.
Fighting for Our Heroes: While we’ve made significant strides with the PACT Act, we still have a long way to go when it comes to understanding the full impact of burn pit toxic exposure, ensuring all Veterans exposed received the support they deserve, and preventing future exposure to these toxins. My colleagues and I filed two bipartisan/bicameral bills that are an important step in the right direction as we work toward these goals. Click here to learn more about our efforts.
Restoring Fiscal Sanity: As noted in this article, Bidenflation is putting the dream of home ownership out of reach for many Americans. We have to rein in spending and provide the relief Americans deserve.
Part of restoring fiscal sanity is creating a climate in which small businesses, which employ half of all Americans, can thrive. The Department of Commerce is tasked with ensuring American businesses have the resources they need to innovate, grow, and compete. In order to ensure the U.S. continues to be an economic and technological leader, we need sound, transparent policies that support American competitiveness, especially in emerging technologies. During last week’s Innovation, Data and Commerce Subcommittee hearing, we spoke with Commerce Secretary Raimondo about how the agency can further support American businesses and provide economic leadership. Click here to listen to the discussion.
Learning from You Here at Home: Before heading up to D.C. last week, I joined American Legion Post 79 in dedicating a new marker for Sgt. James Huff, a Civil War Veteran who earned the Congressional Gold Medal, and is buried at Pine Hill Cemetery in Port Richey. We must never forget the service and sacrifices of our heroes!
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 attended Governor DeSantis' recent Bill Signing Ceremony at Baldomero Lopez State Veterans Nursing Home in Pasco County. The Governor signed two bills that will expand Florida Veterans' benefits, including: allowing eligible spouses to be placed in state Veterans Long Term Care facilities and providing free hunting and fishing licenses for qualifying disabled Veterans. I appreciate Governor DeSantis and the Florida Legislature for being great partners in making Florida the most welcoming state for our nation's heroes.
My team also supported the PACE Center for Girls of Hernando County at the organization's annual breakfast. This program does a phenomenal job working with at-risk girls in our community and providing them with trauma-informed counseling which helps them achieve tremendous success!
Additionally, my team participated in the East Pasco Rotary Installation at Scotland Yards.
Constituent Corner
My team recently received this message after helping a constituent with an emergency passport expedite while overseas (due to lost passports during travel).
Thank you for helping us connect with the Embassy. We've gotten our passports and will be returning home. Really appreciate all the information and willingness to help!
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! |
