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Dear Neighbor,
Today kicks off Hurricane Season. I know many of us are weary after the impact of back-to-back storms last year. Many in our community are still recovering from Hurricanes Milton and Helene. Some remain in temporary housing while they wait to rebuild. We will continue working to ensure they have the support they need to fully recover. Lets not forget that the mental and emotional toll of a hurricane can be just as severe as the physical damage it causes. Storms can be incredibly stressful, not just for adults but also for children. Having a clear plan and knowing that you’ve prepared can help reduce anxiety and ensure that everyone in your household feels safe and ready. After all, preparedness isn’t just about protecting your house—it’s about protecting your family, your peace of mind, and your community. While the prospect of facing a new hurricane season likely feels daunting – we can and will get through this together because we are FLORIDA STRONG! Together, we can mitigate the impact of a storm and protect the people and things we love. Don’t wait for the storm to hit. Be proactive; Be informed; and Be prepared!
Please continue reading for a brief recap of my efforts on your behalf last week.
Advancing Legislation: I recently introduced several bills aimed to tackle important problems facing my constituents and our country.
For example, I’m proud to reintroduce the Concentrating on High-Value Alzheimer’s Needs to Get to an End (CHANGE) Act to encourage early assessment and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. With as many as 13.8 million Americans ages 65 and older expected to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s by 2060, the legislation seeks to aide caregivers and accelerate progress to disease modifying treatments. By equipping providers with tools for timely intervention, we can improve care, support families, and advance research for a cure.
I am also pushing for research that will hopefully help us better understand the underlying factors that contribute to neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s. Our bill, the Harmonizing Environmental Analyses and Launching Therapeutic Hubs to Yield Bolstered Research And Innovation in Neurological Science (HEALTHY BRAINS) Act, will bolster research into the environmental risks factors, including environmental toxicant exposure, of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and atypical parkinsonian disorders, Alzheimer’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and multiple sclerosis (MS). More than 50 million people worldwide are impacted by neurodegenerative diseases. There is evidence that demonstrates many of these diseases may have significant environmental risk factors, including environmental toxins. For example, most Parkinson’s disease cases – 73 to 90 percent – cannot be attributed to genetic inheritance alone, implicating environmental exposures as a major cause of disease risk and progression. While some of these factors are known, such as the chemical Trichloroethylene (TCE), more research is needed to fully understand the breadth and depth of the potential dangers and their impacts.
We know that research is the key to developing a better understanding of diseases and holds the promise for the development of more effective treatments and potential cures. Through the HEALTHY BRAINS Act we are investing in research that will hopefully help us better understand the underlying factors that contribute to neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s. I am optimistic about how the implications can help us improve health outcomes for millions of Americans who are suffering with these horrific ailments.
Also, I’ve reintroduced the the Eliminate Non-approved Devices and Contraband Electronics Limiting Links to Society (END CELLS) Act. I was prompted to take action after countless reports of rising rates of prisoners using contraband cellphones to facilitate crime in communities throughout the country despite being locked behind bars. The END CELLS Act will provide additional penalties on prisoners who are found to illegally possess cellphones while incarcerated and on those who have smuggled or attempted to smuggle wireless devices into prisons. Specifically, the legislation will amend the Federal Communications Act to make it unlawful for anyone to provide or attempt to provide a federal, state or local prisoner with a wireless communications device and further make it unlawful for a prisoner to possess such a device while incarcerated. Additionally, the measure creates criminal and civil penalties of up to $50,000 for each violation. Americans deserve the confidence of knowing that once a criminal has been locked away, that the perpetrator cannot continue to victimize others from behind bars. We have seen prisoners use illegal devices to facilitate escape attempts, coordinate murders, and endanger children to sexual predators. Enough is enough! We can lower the incidence of criminal acts taking place from behind bars by cracking down on those who smuggle electronic devices into prisons and on those who are found in possession of these illegal devices.
Pushing for Tax Relief: Florida’s 12th Congressional District is home to 465,120 taxpayers. The average taxpayer in my district would see a 26% tax hike if the Trump Tax Cuts expire. A family of four making $63,762 would see a $1,189 tax increase if the Trump Tax Cuts expire. This is worth about 7 weeks of groceries to a typical family of four in our community. I’ll keep pushing to ensure the tax relief my constituents deserve!
Embracing Technology: I was honored to be awarded as this year’s Autonomous Vehicle (AV) Champion in the House. Harnessing autonomous vehicle (AV) technology is essential for shaping a safer, more efficient, and sustainable future of transportation. By leveraging advanced sensors, machine learning, and real-time data processing, autonomous vehicles have the potential to significantly reduce traffic accidents caused by human error, enhance mobility for underserved populations, and decrease traffic congestion. Embracing this technology is not just a step forward in innovation—it’s a strategic investment in a smarter and safer transportation infrastructure, and I’m excited to be leading the charge to accomplish these important goals in the House.
Investing in Resilient Supply Chains: Critical minerals are vital to America’s national security, clean energy future, and tech innovation. As demand skyrockets, partnerships like the U.S.–Brazil collaboration on rare earth processing mentioned in this article are key to reducing dependence on foreign sources, like China. We must invest in resilient, domestic supply chains to stay competitive and secure. I will continue working on this priority through my role on the Energy and Commerce Committee and as a Member of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party.
Raising Awareness - Do you know your ABCDEs of skin cancer? This simple rule can be used when checking your skin for signs of cancer, and it’s especially important for those of us who call the Sunshine State home. If a mole concerns you, see your doctor right away.
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 gave a legislative update on the work we are doing to fix our nation's broken mental health system at a recent Pasco NAMI event.
My team also honored my consituent, Jim Drabik, the last known survivor of the WWII Pacific Splinter Fleet.
Additionally, my team celebrated the dedication of the Koppie Family Home as part of the Habitat for Humanity Program in West Pasco. Congratulations on achieving this important milestone and welcome to the neighborhood!
Constituent Corner
My team recently received this message from a constituent after helping him resolve a dispute with his insurance company.
I'm so grateful for the compassionate help that your staff provided in resolving a billing problem with Florida Blue. After explaining that this type of case was outside the norm of what your caseworkers typically handle, your staff member agreed to reach out to Florida Blue to explain my problem. Within three days of working with your staff, I received a call from Florida Blue and my account was updated appropriately. You saved me countless hours of on-hold time with my insurance and I'm very grateful!
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! |
