Congresswoman Lesko Weekly Update

Good afternoon,

This week, I remained in Washington, D.C. for votes in the U.S. House of Representatives! I had a busy week, including participating in a roundtable with stakeholders in the energy industry to discuss how to keep energy sources reliable and affordable for Arizonans. I also hosted a monthly call with the mayors in our district to receive updates from them on the issues facing their cities and discuss what I am doing in Washington, D.C. to support our district at the federal level.

Democrats' My Way or the Highway Bill

I voted against House Democrats’ “My Way or the Highway” bill, an infrastructure bill that fails to make our nation more competitive in the global economy or update our nation’s infrastructure. Instead of focusing on real, bipartisan solutions, Democrats are pushing an expensive, partisan infrastructure package that will drive up costs for every American. This bill is completely unpaid for, it is based on deficit spending that will continue adding to our national debt and driving up what is already the highest inflation rate since 2008. In this partisan package, $1 for every $2 is tied up in Green New Deal priorities, and Democrats have set aside funds to support the Chinese-controlled electric vehicle mineral supply chain that relies on child and slave labor. Plus, this bill eliminates a ban on spending transit funding on art at transit stations. Democrats are trying to redefine art as infrastructure! This bill also includes regulations that undermine the railroad industry’s ability to offer competitive services and allows the Environmental Protection Agency to enact burdensome regulations on drinking water utilities that serve smaller, lower-income communities. This will harm low-income consumers and those on fixed incomes. For these reasons, I could not support this measure. My remarks on the House Floor opposing this bill can be found here.

Standing Up for Affordable Energy Solutions

I attended a hearing in the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Energy Subcommittee where I discussed how the Democrats’ energy policies could drive up energy prices and hurt reliability. This is in part because their timeline for switching to clean energy in the next 14 years is unrealistic. I also discussed how the Democrats’ terrible energy bills could force Arizona companies to be governed by a board appointed by the governor of California and could increase utility rates for consumers. My remarks can be found here and here.

Happy Independence Day

I want to wish everyone a Happy 4^th of July! We celebrate the birth of our great nation and the sacrifices our Founding Fathers made 245 years ago to create a country founded in freedom. I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe weekend!

Mobile Office Hours

Our office is hosting mobile office hours on July 13, 2021, at the Youngtown Clubhouse from 2:00-4:00 PM AZ Time. Our casework team is ready to answer your questions and assist you if you are having issues with a federal agency.

Legislative Update

This week, I introduced a bipartisan resolution to thank NASA suppliers for their work on the Artemis program and to highlight the contribution made by all 50 states to the program. I am proud to introduce this resolution to thank the NASA suppliers and recognize the dedicated men and women who are working on this nationwide effort to support our missions to space, advance scientific innovation, and explore the final frontier. The resolution’s introduction date marks the fourth anniversary of the revival of the National Space Council.

I also introduced the bipartisan Tax Deadline Simplification Act with Representative Bradley S. Schneider (D-IL-10) to change the estimated tax payment deadlines to a uniform, quarterly schedule. This legislation affects those who pay taxes on a quarterly basis, including individual taxpayers, such as gig economy and self-employed workers, small businesses, estates, and trusts. Under current law, tax payment deadlines are at uneven intervals. By changing these deadlines to occur on an even basis, this legislation will help our nation’s taxpayers better calculate their net income, save appropriately for their tax payments, and better comply with the tax deadlines.

Ribbon Cutting

Michael from our office attended a ribbon cutting for the Louisa Kellam Center for Women’s Health. The newly renovated nursery at Banner Del Web Medical Center will provide health services to growing families in Surprise, AZ and the surrounding communities. Congratulations to the Banner Health Team and Sun Health Foundation on this improved facility!

Encouraging Story

I want to share this news with you about how the Ring That Bell ceremony will be returning this Sunday, July 4, 2021, at the Bell Recreation Center in Sun City, AZ! The ceremony was postponed in 2020 due to COVID-19, and it is believed last year was the first time the ceremony was not conducted since the bell was installed in July 1976. The bell is a replica of the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, PA, and the ceremony will include various indoor presentations and the bell ringing in the courtyard outside.

Casework Highlight

A constituent filed an amended tax return in November 2019. As of April 2021, the amendment still had not yet been processed by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Our office reached out to the IRS and was able to get the return processed. As a result, the constituent received the refund.

We are Here to Help

As always, my office is here to help. My Surprise district office is now open and serving constituents. To make an appointment with the office, please call 623-776-7911.

My Washington, D.C. office is open and answering your calls. Please feel free to contact us 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, Instagram, and Parler and like my Facebook page for up to date information on what I'm doing and how my office can help you.

May God continue to bless you and our great Nation.

Sincerely,

Congresswoman Debbie Lesko