Happy Friday!

This was an unusual week in Washington, DC. Usually in committee hearings, I hear testimony from various witnesses. But today, I was a witness on the border crisis before the House Oversight and Reform Committee. As Arizonans, we've seen the effects of the crisis at our border firsthand, unlike many who live thousands of miles away from the southern border. Watch my testimony here:

Casework Highlight

A 92-year-old veteran contacted our office to check on the status of his claim for his military pension benefits to help with the costs associated with his assisted living facility. The veteran’s family was afraid they would have to move him out of his facility because it was no longer affordable. My office reached out to the pension office and within three days, they awarded the veteran his full benefits, which resulted in a retroactive payment of $14,997. This money and quick processing time allowed the veteran to remain in his assisted living facility.

Sky Harbor Airport Expansion

This week, I met with Phoenix Sky Harbor’s Director of Aviation Services, Jim Bennett, and Deputy Aviation Director, Julie Rodriguez to discuss Phoenix’s plan to expand terminals and space for the Air National Guard. These expansions aim to keep up with the continued increases in passenger and cargo flow through Sky Harbor. These changes will greatly benefit Arizona’s travelers, economy, and security!

Arizona's District 8 Congressional Recognition

Ken from my office presented Reba Mason, founder of Reba’s Vision and resident of Surprise, with Arizona’s District 8 Congressional Recognition at the Glendale Women’s Club. Reba’s Vision provides free 3D digital mammograms to women in the West Valley. About 1 in 8 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer Reba is ensuring that women without health insurance have access to mammograms, which can detect cancer early—when it’s most treatable. Thank you, Reba, for your service to women in our community!

Know a veteran, student, first responder, or community advocate in AZ-08 that's giving back to our community? Nominate them for a congressional recognition here: https://lesko.house.gov/services/recognitions.htm

Sincerely,

Congresswoman Debbie Lesko