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Dear Neighbor,
It was another busy week in Washington, with House Republicans working closely with President Trump on a plan to ensure we hit the ground running after his inauguration. We recognize there are many grave challenges facing our nation and we are putting plans in place to ensure strong leadership that eliminates reckless spending, secures the border, prevents tax hikes, and unleashes American energy. We also will be prepared to address the growing concern over Chinese drone technology and cybersecurity breaches. Last week, we spent a great deal of our time working to strengthening our national security and mitigate future threats. Please continue reading to learn more about my efforts on your behalf.
Fighting for Our Heroes and Strengthening our National Defense: The Biden Border Crisis has jeopardized our national security for far too long. The Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which the House passed last week, addresses this problem by supporting the deployment of National Guard to the southern border to combat the influx of illegal immigrants and drugs.
Globally, we’ve seen our adversaries emboldened by the Biden Administration’s weak leadership on the international stage. This year's NDAA will help us create a pathway to peace through strength.
Chinese aggression also soared under President Biden. The NDAA will help deter China and prevent CCP espionage in our research institutions, supply chains, and armed forces.
These provisions are critical to our national security. Our funding package will help set the stage for President Trump to reset expectations and lead through a position of strength!
It is also important that our support for our most steadfast ally is unwavering. Israel is not just fighting to protect its own existence, but to root out terrorism around the globe, which will continue to improve our national security.
Our servicemembers are the backbone of our military and are vital to our national security. Congressional testimony over the past year has repeatedly indicated that servicemember quality of life has gotten increasingly worse in recent years, causing low morale amongst servicemembers, stressing military families, undermining recruitment and retention, and threatening our military readiness.
Due to insufficient pay and housing allowances, servicemembers and their families have been forced to rely on food stamps and pantries to provide for their families and pay housing costs out of their own pockets. This year, the NDAA specifically focuses on servicemember quality of life improvement by giving junior enlisted servicemembers a 14.5 percent raise and supporting a 4.5 percent raise for all other servicemembers.
It also helps support military families by addressing limited access to childcare for our active duty troops.
And, the package addresses housing problems for our military families. We’ve seen horrific stories of substandard military housing, even here in Florida, exposing occupants to sewage overflows, bedbugs, mold, rats, gas leaks, and brown tap water.
This is simply unconscionable. Our package addresses this problem in the following ways:
- Boosting funding to build new and improve existing housing,
- Improving transparency and providing additional Congressional oversight of housing and maintenance accounts, and
- Requiring the DoD to implement a digital tool for servicemembers to request and track maintenance requests for their housing.
These commonsense measures should help ensure that our military families have the quality housing they deserve.
President Biden’s focus on divisive social issues has also hurt our military. It is time to refocus our attention where it is needed – strengthening our national security. Our defense spending package permanently bans TRICARE coverage of dangerous transgender medical care for minors; requires promotions based on merit; guts DEI and Critical Race Theory programs; and enhances fiscal responsibility by cutting $31 billion in inefficient programs, Pentagon bureaucracy, and obsolete weapons.
Here at home, Florida’s military families will greatly benefit from this defense spending package. I encourage my Senate colleagues to expedite its passage so we can give these heroes the quality of life improvements they deserve.
Additionally, I’m continuing to push for a Floor vote on my bipartisan Major Richard Star Act, which would rectify the injustice of concurrent receipt for more than 50,000 medically-retired combat Veterans. Click here to learn more about my efforts.
Demanding the Immediate Release of Hostages: Last week, I had the honor of meeting with victims and their families of the October 7 terror attack in Israel. Aviva Siegel, who, together with her husband, Keith, were kidnapped by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023 have been brutally kidnapped, tortured, starved and held in suffocating tunnels in Gaza. Aviva has since been released, but Keith, remains in captivity along with Romi Garen who was shot and kidnapped after attending the Nova Festival on October 7th . Romi's siblings, Yarden and Matan Gonen, shared with me the amazing courage of Romi, who despite unimaginable pain and suffering, is still in captivity but remains hopeful of being released. The conversation has bolstered my resolve to ensure that Hamas is utterly destroyed and every last hostage makes it home alive. These families deserve to be reunited with their loved ones. The time to act is now!
Restoring Fiscal Sanity: Americans are shelling out nearly 20% more for goods and services than they were just four years ago. My colleagues and I are working to create a climate that spurs economic growth, reduces regulations, and makes goods and services affordable again.
Protecting Our Children: My colleagues and I held a press conference last week to build momentum for passing our landmark legislation that would empower parents with the tools they need to better protect kids online. Click here to learn more about my efforts on this important issue.
Celebrating the Season: I enjoyed meeting with community leaders in Citrus, Hernando and Pasco counties last week during my annual holiday open houses. We talked about ways we can continue to work together to better those we serve.
It was also a privilege for my team to join Pasco County Tax Collector, Mike Fasano and several community leaders in distributing food and some holiday cheer to many of our neighbors who are hurting.
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 the Suncoast YMCA Prayer Breakfast in West Pasco. It is encouraging to see so many community leaders united in prayer for our future prosperity.
My team also celebrated the service and sacrifice of our heroes at the Citrus County Purple Heart Annual Dinner.
Additionally, my team saluted our local Veterans' committment to cultivating future generations of leaders at this year's annual Military Officers Association of the Nature Coast's Christmas Dinner.
Constituent Corner
My team recently received this note after helping a constituent obtain a copy of her mother's military records.
Just want to thank your staff for going above and beyond to help me get a copy of my mom's military records. I needed them in order to help my father access spousal benefits but was having trouble finding the right place. Withing four days of contacting your staff, I had the necessary paperwork in hand. It was such a relief!
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! |
