Congresswoman Lesko Weekly Update

Good morning,

This week, I was home in Arizona, where I hosted an education town hall with local school board members to discuss options and plans for reopening schools and to listen to constituents’ questions on how the Coronavirus is affecting education. I also attended two virtual House Homeland Security Committee Hearings, where we had important discussions on the Coronavirus and the work U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents are doing at our southern border.

Contact Local School Board Members

I believe that education is essential, and parents deserve to have a say in their child’s education. Local school governing boards are making decisions now on reopening schools that will impact your students. It is critical that these locally elected school board members hear from you. I encourage you to voice your opinion on reopening schools by contacting your local school board members. 

Coronavirus Survey

As we continue to deal with the Coronavirus pandemic, I value your input. Please take time to fill out this survey on schools reopening and the state and federal governments' handling of the pandemic.

Legislative Update

I am cosponsoring Representative Seth Moulton’s bill, H.R.7368, the Brandon Act, to establish a standard phrase that service members may use to initiate a mandatory and immediate mental health evaluation referral. This is an important bill that will improve the process for a mental health referral for our members of the Armed Forces and ensure they receive the help they need. The legislation is named in honor of United States Navy Petty Officer Third Class Brandon Caserta, son of Teri and Patrick Caserta from Peoria, Arizona, who tragically lost his life to suicide in 2018. 

Encouraging Stories

I loved seeing these helpful tips on how to wear a mask from Moxie from the Phoenix Fire Department.

I also enjoyed this news about Thunderbirds Charities which has been serving the community through its Home Services program. This program provides essential care services, including grocery shopping, for high-risk seniors and allows them to continue to live independently while also ensuring they can stay home and safe during the Coronavirus pandemic. I appreciate seeing all the ways people are stepping up to help each other as we navigate and work to stop the spread of the Coronavirus.

Casework Highlight

A surviving spouse of a veteran reached out to our office to assist her in obtaining her late husband’s final retirement check and recovering overpayments that her husband sent to the Defense Finance and Accounting Agency for the Survivors Benefits Plan (SBP). Her husband had paid up his benefit, but they continued to take automatic payments for 9 years. We requested his final paycheck dispersed and an audit of payments for the SBP, and we were able to return his final paycheck plus the SBP overpayment.

Coronavirus Casework Highlight

A constituent called our office because they were receiving Pandemic Unemployment Assistance benefits, but the benefits stopped without notice and without reason. The constituent contacted our office, and we sent their information to our direct contact at Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES). DES called the constituent, fixed the issue, and they started receiving benefits again.

We are Here to Help

As always, my office is here to help. Both my Surprise district office and Washington, D.C. office are open to serve constituents. We are available over the phone and via email at both offices. In addition, the Surprise district office is taking appointments for in-person meetings with staff. We are not accepting walk-in meetings at this time due to the Coronavirus. For the safety of staff and constituents, we will be observing CDC guidelines, including wearing masks and social distancing. To make an appointment with the office, please call 623-776-7911. 

Please feel free to contact my Washington, D.C. office via phone at 202-225-4576 or via email by going to my website at https://lesko.house.gov/contact/.

I encourage you to visit the website and to also follow me on Twitter and like my Facebook page for up to date information about the ongoing outbreak and available resources. 

May God continue to bless you and our great Nation. 

Sincerely,

Congresswoman Debbie Lesko