Congresswoman Lesko Weekly Update

Good afternoon,

I hope you had a wonderful week! This week, I attended a hearing with the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce on returning money to consumers who have been defrauded. We also discussed the role of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) considering the Supreme Court’s recent ruling that the FTC does not have the authority to obtain monetary relief if consumers are defrauded.

Legislative Update

I led a letter with my Republican House Energy and Commerce Committee colleagues to Department of Energy Secretary Granholm requesting that the Department of Energy prioritize critical minerals programs to protect our nation’s energy security, national security, and economic security. These critical minerals and materials are used in our energy and transportation infrastructure. We must secure our domestic supply chains for critical minerals and materials so that we can prevent our nation from being reliant on foreign adversaries, like China, for our critical minerals needs and strengthen our energy security.

I also sent a letter to United States Postal Service (USPS) Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to request a briefing on the validity of reports regarding the United States Postal Inspection Service’s Internet Covert Operations Program (iCOP) and the alleged tracking of the social media accounts of American citizens. Given the recent reports about the USPS’s covert operations program, I am requesting answers on the extent of the iCOP program, how it fits into USPS’s purview, and whether the USPS has been sharing Americans’ data with other government agencies.

Book Drop-Off

Austin from our office dropped off over 60 books at Legacy Traditional School in Peoria, AZ, and read to one of their second grade classes! Our office is happy to deliver books to schools, libraries, non-profits, or other organizations through the Surplus Books program. To learn more about this program, click here.

Pictured left to right: Austin, librarian Mrs. Schafer

Congressional Recognition

Austin presented a Congressional Recognition to the Phoenix Rescue Mission’s Glendale Works Program, which provides employment opportunities and valuable resources to individuals experiencing homelessness. The organization has partnered with the City of Glendale, AZ and served over 250 people since 2018.

Pictured from left to right: Street Outreach Supervisor Gabriel Priddy, Street Outreach Coordinator Brian Farretta, Street Outreach Coordinator Sergio Armendaris

Ribbon Cutting

Monica from our office attended a ribbon cutting for Banner Health Center Plus – New River Trails. This is Banner’s largest health campus and provides both specialty and primary care, imaging, pharmacy, general surgery, and laboratory work. We wish them luck and great success!

Pictured from left to right: Health Center Director Gizele Rangel, Monica, Councilwoman Lauren Tolmachoff Cholla District Glendale, COO Becky Kuhn, Physician Michelle Ballecer, Senior Medical Assistant Nancy Coyne, and the head of Banner Medical Group, Dr. Patrick Rankin

Encouraging Story

I am happy to see this story about a Peoria kindergarten teacher, Bernadette Holladay, who won a Silver Apple Award for teaching excellence for her work fostering a community between herself, parents, and students, even with the challenges of virtual learning in the past year.

Casework Highlight

A constituent who was a former United States Postal Service (USPS) employee called our office and notified us that she had still not yet received her final paycheck from December. Our office reached out to USPS on behalf of our constituent and asked that they process her final payment. We remained in contact with both USPS and the constituent until the payment was finally received.

Coronavirus Casework Highlight

A constituent reached out to our office because he had not received his first or second stimulus check. Our office walked him through the process of using the recovery rebate credit on the 2020 tax return form. Once he filed his return, we worked with Taxpayer Advocacy Service to get his return processed. Shortly after reaching out, the IRS processed his 2020 return, and he received both stimulus payments and his normal tax return.

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 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