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.

UPHOLDING FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY

Reckless spending has ballooned our national debt to $35 trillion and fueled inflation, increasing costs for families by $13,000 a year. Americans simply can’t afford Congress’ spending addiction.  We must exercise budget restraint and return to fiscal sanity.

That’s why I cosponsored H.R. 8777 to slash federal funding of unused COVID relief funds and other wasteful spending. Fifteen months after the President officially declared end of the pandemic, billions of COVID dollars remain unspent. This money should be clawed back and reallocated to address the mounting debt crisis. If we don’t make serious changes now, America will be bankrupt.

Click here to learn more.  

ENSURING TELEHEALTH SERVICES FOR SENIORS ON MEDICARE

During the COVID pandemic, Congress authorized telehealth services for Medicare beneficiaries, providing much needed flexibility. This was especially helpful to the more than 20% of seniors living in rural communities like FL-18, where access to timely high-quality care is often challenging. That’s why I cosponsored H.R. 7623, the Telehealth Modernization Act, which would:

• Ensure permanent access to telehealth services for Medicare beneficiaries;
• Allow all practitioners to provide telehealth services to Medicare patients; and
• Extend access to cover telehealth visits at federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics.

Click here to learn more.

CONSTITUENT CORNER

Are you experiencing delays with the Internal Revenue Service on your pending case? Our office recently helped Mr. Thomas expedite his tax refund. If you need assistance with an IRS matter, click here to contact our office or call (863) 644-8215. 

Test Your Knowledge #CivicsWithScott!

Which of the following is a limit on a president’s ability to issue executive orders?

A. Congress can pass a law nullifying the president’s order.
B. Executive orders expire at the end of the calendar year and must be reissued continuously to remain in effect.
C. Executive orders are always subject to review by the Supreme Court before taking effect.
D. A governor can issue a contradictory executive order that negates the president’s executive order within a state.

Last Week's Question

Under our Constitution, most powers belong to the states. Which of the following is one power that is not primarily left to the states and is instead mostly a federal responsibility?

A. Provide education
B. Provide police protection
C. Protect the public health
D. Defend against foreign invasion - Correct answer

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