Congresswoman Lesko Weekly Update

I hope you all had a great week! I would like to encourage you to share this newsletter with others. Please direct them using this link and encourage them to subscribe.

Lesko Votes This Week

H.R. 9495, the Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act

Any organization or nonprofit supporting terrorist organizations has no business receiving tax-exempt status in the United States. This week, a bill I cosponsored, H.R. 9495 the Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act, passed the U.S. House of Representatives to ensure these organizations can no longer receive tax-exempt status. I was proud to vote for this legislation!

H.R. 5658, the Vote by Mail Tracking Act

This week, I was proud to vote “YES” on H.R. 5658, the Vote by Mail Tracking Act, to add standardized barcodes to all mail in ballots to allow voters to check the status of their vote after it has been mailed.

H.R. 8371, the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act

Our veterans deserve the highest quality of healthcare we can offer. This week, I was happy to vote “YES” on H.R. 8371, the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21^st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act, to make necessary reforms to our VA healthcare system ensuring we’re putting veterans – not bureaucracies – first!

H. Res. 1449, Condemning the global rise of antisemitism and calling upon countries and international bodies to counter antisemitism

Antisemitism has been on the rise around the world, even in the United States. It’s time for all countries to take a stand to counteract this worldwide hate and stand with the Jewish people around the world. That’s why this week I was pleased to vote “YES” on H. Res. 1449 to condemn the global rise of antisemitism and call upon countries and international bodies to counter antisemitism.

Get the Facts: Laken Riley Verdict

On February 22, 2024, nursing student Laken Riley was brutally murdered while on a run in her college town. Now, less than a year later, Laken Riley’s killer, illegal migrant Jose Ibarra, has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. While justice has been served, it’s impossible to imagine the grief her family and friends are feeling at this time, and we must also acknowledge this never should have happened. Jose Ibarra first entered the country illegally and was detained in 2022 before being released to live freely in the United States until his parole date. Ibarra was then flown to New York City where he stayed at the Roosevelt Hotel migrant center in Manhattan, New York. After spending some time in New York, Ibarra’s ex roommate at the migrant facility testified that Ibarra requested a free flight through the migrant program to Georgia where he ultimately flew and was living when he murdered Laken Riley. These are the consequences of our current immigration system under President Biden. The mass parole program has done irreparable damage to families across the country who have experienced the same loss as the Riley family. He never should have had the opportunity to live freely in the United States for 2 years, much of which was on the taxpayers’ dime, and Laken should still be here with us today.

Casework Highlight

A constituent contacted our office seeking help with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). They had been waiting for more than 10 months since submitting their renewal application for Global Entry. Our office contacted CBP to inquire about the status of the application. As a result, the constituent's claim was processed and Global Entry access granted.

Global Entry Process Renewal

If you already have Global Entry for traveling and have not yet renewed your membership, now may be the time. Eligibility to renew your membership begins one year prior to program expiration, but you will still be eligible to use benefits up to 24 months following your membership expiration date. In order to renew your membership visit the link here. 

As always, my office is here to help. Both my Surprise district office and Washington, D.C. office are serving constituents through the end of my term. We are available over the phone at 623-776-7911. Please note, however, that my Surprise Office and my Washington, D.C. office are now closed for in-person meetings because of the transition to Congressman-Elect Hamadeh.

As always, be safe and stay well.

May God continue to bless you and our great Nation.

Sincerely,

Congresswoman Debbie Lesko