Congresswoman Lesko Weekly Update

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

This week, Congress passed a COVID-19 relief bill that was combined with the annual appropriations package to fund the government. For details on both the COVID-19 relief bill and the annual appropriations package from Republican Whip Steve Scalise, please click HERE.

Congress also passed a bill to fund the government through FY 2021, which I supported. This bill did not have Democrat poison pills such as an effort to defund the police, but instead, it included important provisions to support our law enforcement officers and continued to provide funds for our border wall. This bill also funded our military to strengthen our national defense, and it provided a pay raise for our troops. The bill also included funding for Luke Air Force Base in our district and additional F-35 aircraft. I am proud to continue to secure important funding that supports the people of Arizona and keeps our nation safe.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season, and I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a blessed new year!

Legislative Update

I signed onto Representative Vicky Hartzler’s letter to IRS Commissioner Chris Rettig to request that the IRS provide information on the current backlog of tax returns and their plan to complete the backlog by the next filing deadline. This is an important letter that will help Arizonans and people across the country who have not received their tax returns because the IRS announced a shutdown of all their offices in March 2020. Even though some offices reopened, there are still tax returns that have not been looked at by IRS personnel. I encourage constituents who are still waiting on their tax returns to contact our district office in Surprise at 623-776-7911.

Congressional Recognition

Gisele from our office presented a Congressional Recognition to Laura Larkin, the founder of the Delia Foundation, a local non-profit that cares for foster children, vulnerable children, and orphans and assists low-income seniors in Arizona. Laura also has a team that works internationally, specifically for those in need in Romania. Behind Gisele and Laura are board members for the organization in New York, England, and Romania! It is great to recognize an organization that values life at every stage!

Monica from our office presented a Congressional Recognition to Jen Richard, the West Valley Manager for Hope Women’s Center in El Mirage. The center is a faith-based non-profit that provides a safe haven and support to women and teen girls. Founded in 1984 as a crisis pregnancy center, Hope Women’s Center also provides counseling and support for victims of poverty, substance abuse, and domestic violence.

Encouraging Story

It was great to hear about a local non-profit in Goodyear called the Honey Foundation. This group focuses on making the world a better place through acts of kindness. The foundation was founded in 2012 by Justin and Jamie Clark in honor of Justin’s twin brother, Scott, who would give the cashier at a local Starbucks cash and roses every Mother’s Day. Scott would ask the cashier to use the cash to pay for every mother’s coffee and hand them a rose in the hope that the receivers would pay it forward, too. Monica from our office also recently met with Justin and Jamie!

Casework Highlight

A constituent reached out to our office because he had been waiting a year for his passport application to be processed and for his passport to be sent to him. When he submitted his initial application, they needed additional documents. After he sent those documents, he never received any follow-up from the U.S. State Department, and he was not able to get anyone to respond to him. Our office followed up with the U.S. State Department with a request to process this application on an expedited basis. The constituent confirmed he received his passport and was very grateful for how quickly we were able to resolve this issue.

Coronavirus Casework Highlight

A constituent contacted our office because the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) said that she had no issues with her claim, however, it was continuously "Under Review." We sent her claim to our contact at DES, and they were able to fix the error and have her benefits released.  

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, Parler, and Instagram 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