Congresswoman Lesko Weekly Update

Good afternoon,

I had a wonderful week in Arizona! This week, I participated in a hearing with the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Energy about provisions in the Democrats’ energy bill that spends billions of taxpayer dollars on electric vehicle chargers and incentives to buy all-electric cars. Although I believe electric cars are part of the future, I think we need to be realistic about the timeline and how much taxpayer money we spend on electric cars considering that only a very small percentage of people drive all-electric vehicles now. We need to make sure we are producing enough reliable electricity to support the electric grid. I questioned Francis Energy President David Jankowsky about the public electric vehicle chargers Francis Energy installed in Oklahoma. 49% of the public electric vehicle chargers took 60-90 minutes to charge, another 49% took 20-40 minutes to charge, and only 2% took 7-12 minutes to charge. I think it is unrealistic to think that people will wait that long to charge their cars while traveling. I also asked Dr. Foss from Rice University about how the majority of batteries for electric vehicles are made in China in coal-powered facilities, which undermines attempts to cut emissions.

Legislative Update

This week, I introduced bipartisan legislation, Carrie’s Law, with my colleague, Representative Karen Bass (D-CA). This bill ends mandatory arbitration clauses in employment contracts in instances of physical sexual assault. Mandatory arbitration forces victims into a confidential process and often leaves them feeling silenced. I am proud to introduce this important bill to support survivors and help them seek justice by providing victims with the option to bring their physical sexual assault claims to civil court.

Congressional Recognitions

Monica from our office presented a congressional recognition to Aval Daryani, a senior at Mountain Ridge High School. Our office surprised him with this award for his volunteer work and community impact, including sending masks to the Navajo Nation and Deer Valley Unified School District, providing meals for more than three hundred doctors and nurses, and tutoring youth in the community.

Austin from our office presented a Congressional Recognition to the Sun City PRIDES. For over 40 years, the Sun City PRIDES have operated as a volunteer-led organization that works to make Sun City, AZ a clean and beautiful place for all of its residents. Each month, they work on a variety of beautification projects in their local communities.

Ribbon Cutting

Austin attended the grand opening for Pop-Up Peoria with Peoria Mayor Cathy Carlat. Pop-Up Peoria is an innovative community engagement initiative created by the City of Peoria and CIRE Equity. They work to engage the community by providing a space where different classes, activities, and programs are hosted and by selling products created by local artists and small businesses.

Encouraging Story

I am proud to share this story about a floorball team in Surprise, AZ, that is headed to the Winter Special Olympics in 2022! Floorball is similar to an indoor version of hockey with a lighter stick and a whiffle ball instead of a puck. The team includes both current and former students from Dysart Unified School District, and I am excited to see what this team will accomplish!

I am also happy to share this story about an off-duty paramedic, Joe Timperano, who saved a woman's life in El Mirage, AZ! The paramedic was driving home and happened to see the woman, Ruby McCoy, laying in the street after collapsing. Timperano called an ambulance. McCoy has recovered, and she and Timperano recently met under happier circumstances.

Casework Highlight

A constituent reached out to our office regarding a concern she was having with her 2019 tax return. She mailed her 2019 tax return in February 2020, and the United States Postal Service confirmed that the return was received, but it was not processed by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Our office reached out to the IRS, and they were able to identify and process the tax return.

Coronavirus Casework Highlight

A constituent reached out to our office because she had not received her third Economic Impact Payment despite filling in the Recovery Rebate Credit section on her 2020 tax form. The Recovery Rebate Credit section is intended for those who have not received some or all of the Economic Impact Payments. Our office reached out to the Internal Revenue Service, and the payment was issued shortly after.

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