Dear Neighbor,
Growing up the daughter of a maid and a janitor, my family kept track of every dollar. Inflation and rising costs of services like child care and health care are a serious concern for Florida families. That's why we passed a bipartisan infrastructure bill, and are fighting to reduce your costs for the essentials that you need for a good, healthy life.
Earlier this month I joined both Democrats and Republicans to pass the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act, a job-creation investment to grow our economy and reduce costs for households while fixing Florida's supply chain issues, roads and bridges, internet and electricity lines, water pipes, and more. This bipartisan success sets the stage for tangible quality of life improvements to make our commutes and our community better.
I joined Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, Jim Harrison with the Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority (LYNX), Clint Bullock of the Orlando Utilities Commission, and Willie Delgado who represents transit workers here in Central Florida, to talk about these important new economic investments.
When we invest in middle class America, when we invest in people who have to go to work every day, America does better.
Florida’s economy runs on tourism. That’s why our bipartisan infrastructure investments include historic investments in our roads, bridges, airports, seaports, highways, public transit, and passenger rail. More customers means more successful small businesses across Florida.
Through a strong collaboration of federal, state, and local officials, we will not only fix broken roads and worn-out bridges, but will also invest in preparing our power grid, water systems, and transportation infrastructure for the 21st century economy.
I joined Apopka Mayor Bryan Nelson and City Commissioners Doug Bankson and Diane Velazquez, along with representatives of the Apopka Chamber of Commerce and Laborers’ International Union of North America to talk about how this bipartisan bill is an investment to make sure that everyone in Florida has safe water and clean air while investing in our future economy.
Our work in D.C. means federal support that will be available in Apopka and across Central Florida. As Mayor Nelson put it, "Apopka's got a lot of opportunities for road, water, reclaimed, and wastewater infrastructure. We couldn't do it without the federal government, and Congresswoman Demings has been a great advocate for us here in Apopka in helping us with projects we need."
We spoke at the future site of a new water storage tank for Apopka. I've been working in Congress to secure critical funding for this project, which will ensure clean drinking water for Apopka residents and help the Apopka Fire Department do its job to keep us safe.
While discussing the bipartisan infrastructure bill, we were joined by Cate Manley, Pam Dionne, and Julie Kendig of the Apopka Chamber of Commerce, and Dave Brier of the Laborers’ International Union of North America, because the bipartisan infrastructure bill is good for business, good for workers, and good for Florida's economy.
While we have created millions of new jobs and unemployment has decreased this year more than any other year in U.S. history, rising inflation remains a serious concern. I am confident that the infrastructure deal will mean new projects here in District 10 and new opportunities for growth and blue collar jobs to get people back to work while we bring down costs.
Our communities need this funding now. Democratic and Republican mayors who are clear-eyed know that investing in our supply chain infrastructure can’t wait, jobs can’t wait, repairs can’t wait, fighting climate change can’t wait, and protecting our health and safety can’t wait.
As Florida’s families worry about our decaying infrastructure and inflation driven by an inadequate supply chain, this is a significant victory for Florida, and will help build the kind of 21st century infrastructure that we need to clean up our economic blockages and get the economy moving smoothly for working families across our state. Our plans will create millions of jobs in new and future industries, restore our global competitiveness, rebuild Florida’s crumbing roads and bridges, expand broadband and reduce the cost of internet across our state, keep our children safe from unclean water, protect our air and climate, and support U.S. manufacturing.
At the same time, we are moving forward on the Build Back Better plan. This is legislation that will cut your taxes, reduce your household costs, and create new jobs for Floridians, and it is fully paid for with no new taxes for middle class families. We have passed it through the House of Representatives, and I was proud to vote yes. This would be one of the largest middle class tax cuts in our history if we can successfully get it through the Senate.
Build Back Better includes:
- Saving you money on health care (up to $800 per year)
- Saving you money on prescription drugs (using government power to negotiate down prices)
- Closing the Medicare Part D "donut hole" and capping drug prices, including $35 insulin
- Saving you money on child care, senior care, and education
- Reducing the deficit, and cutting middle class taxes
Our mission is clear: to put money in the pockets of working families, dramatically reduce the cost of things that keep Floridians up at night, and get people back to work. No new middle class taxes. No deficit increase. Just long overdue changes to make our economy fair for people who have to go to work every day.
During the debate over this legislation, I thought of my parents, who played by the rules and worked hard as a maid, janitor, and in other odd jobs nearly every day of their lives. I thought of my own journey to become the first in my family to go to college, keeping track of every dollar and working fast food jobs to pay my way. That American Dream story is becoming out of reach for millions of Floridians. We need to rebuild an economy where hard work actually gets you ahead, not one where health care, child care, senior care, housing and education take every dollar you make.
Our plan targets job creation and our supply chain, because working Floridians need an economy that works for them. It creates universal pre-k and will save most American families more than half of their current spending on child care. Build Back Better would significantly reduce health care costs, including reducing your premium by up to $800 per year, giving Medicare the power to cover hearing for the first time ever, covering hundreds of thousands of Floridians for the first time, giving Medicare new powers to negotiate down the cost of prescription drugs, and adding new out of pocket caps for prescription drugs, saving Floridians thousands of dollars.
I have fought for months to secure the inclusion of $0 premium health insurance for hundreds of thousands of Floridians in the Medicaid gap. I have personally appealed to House, Senate, and administration leaders and made it clear that Floridians cannot continue to suffer and die due to lack of affordable health care. I am proud to take today’s vote to help Florida families make ends meet, and I will keep fighting for passage through the Senate.
As we move forward with faith in our ability to stand up for Florida's families, I draw great inspiration from the strength and passion of our community. I know that together we can keep each other safe, expand the rights and liberties that make this the greatest country on earth, and create a more prosperous future for all of our children and grandchildren.
The best weapon we have against this virus is to get vaccinated. Each of us needs to do our part and help defeat this deadly virus.
Vaccines are now available at local drug stores. You can text your ZIP code to GETVAX (438829) to immediately get information on the more convenient vaccine locations near you.
During this holiday season, I wish you happy and healthy times filled with warm cheer, family, and community.
It is an honor and a privilege to serve and represent you. Stay safe.
Sincerely,
U.S. Rep. Val Demings
| Reducing Gas Prices for Floridians |
I'm glad to see the administration take the important step of releasing additional oil reserves from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve as part of a larger international strategy to bring down gas prices. I previously wrote to Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm, calling on her to release oil from the reserve among other actions to bring down costs for Florida families.
The bipartisan infrastructure plan that we passed is a long-term investment to bring down costs and strengthen our economy, but families need help now as we move into the winter. We need to do everything we can to try to save Floridians money at the pump.
This year, we’ve seen recordsetting exports of American-made gasoline that could instead be used to bring down prices here at home, unprecedented constraints by foreign oil producers, and what appears to be price manipulation by the largest oil and gas companies to increase their own profits at a time when Americans can least afford it.
Protecting Our Right to Vote
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We cannot have a free and fair Democracy when Americans are restricted from voting. The freedom to vote is the backbone of our democracy.
My parents, like working Americans across our country, knew that their vote was their voice. My father was a janitor and my mother a maid, but I don’t ever remember a time when they did not vote. Our democracy is what keeps America prosperous, safe, and free.
Earlier this month, Senate Republicans blocked protections for voting rights by filibustering the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which I cosponsored and helped to pass through the House.
I stood in Congress to condemn this obstruction and fight for our right to vote.
John Lewis devoted and risked his life for the cause of freedom. He called the right to vote ‘precious – almost sacred.’ I am proud that our legislation was named in his honor.
We have successfully passed through the House of Representatives several other pieces of voting rights legislation which I cosponsored: The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, and the For The People Act. These important bills would protect the right to vote, get big money out of politics, strengthen ethics laws, and protect our elections from foreign interference. If you believe in democracy, you should make it easier for everyone to vote, even the people who disagree with you.
My faith remains strong that liberty and justice for all will prevail. No matter your ZIP Code, gender, race, background, or political party, I will never stop fighting for your right to vote
Economic Development in Our Community
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The new jobs numbers are clear: because we passed the American Rescue Plan (our COVID-19 relief package) earlier this year, Floridians are getting back to work, wages are rising, and people are getting vaccinated, which lets us keep our businesses and schools open. Let’s keep it up.
With important new growth coming to Central Florida, it's important that we hear the voices of the community and ensure that this growth meets our needs. I met with with constituents this month to discuss some of the many infrastructure enhancements coming to Orlando soon.
I also had the pleasure to meet with Central Florida economic leaders on their annual Orlando Economic Partnership delegation to Washington, D.C. We discussed our work to expand Florida’s infrastructure, address supply chain issues, and bring down costs for Florida families. I remain excited for all we will accomplish as Florida gets moving again.
Earlier this month, I joined workers at C4 Advanced Tactical Systems, a national security company here in Orlando, to receive a briefing on their important work. As a former law enforcement officer, I will always put our nation's safety first, and I'm grateful that we are creating jobs here in Orlando through this critical work. Further, as a strong supporter of Israel's security, I am grateful that C4 is an important contributor to the Iron Dome missile defense system that keeps Israeli civilians safe from terrorist rocket attacks. I voted in Congress to fully fund the Iron Dome program.
None of this would be possible without the hardworking Floridians who make our economy work. Blue collar, working class people are the foundation of our economy.
I had the pleasure last month of joining the Teamsters Hispanic Florida Chapter for their annual celebration and fellowship. Florida’s working men and women are the backbone of our state. I never feel more at home than I do with our hardworking families.
This month, we celebrated Veterans' Day. We should thank them every day for all that they have done for our country.
First Baptist Church honored and celebrated Florida’s veterans with a powerful ceremony.
At this event, Chief Master Sgt. Mel Jenner spoke of his faith and his love for our country as he was honored for his service to our nation during World War II. He survived 45 combat missions as a B-17 gunner, and PTSD from the war. He said: “go find a veteran and give them a big hug.”
Thank you to all who have served and continue to risk their lives everyday for our country. Thank you for your service. We are forever grateful for our veterans and their families. God bless.
| Protecting Women in the Workplace |
As a member of the House Judiciary Committee, I participated in an important hearing on forced arbitration in workplace sexual assault & harassment cases. These deals are unfair and dangerous, because they create a culture where powerful people believe that anything and anyone is on the table.
At our hearing, brave women spoke out. We heard from powerful speakers, from a student to an actress, who had endured everything from verbal harassment to assault in the workplace.
As a former law enforcement officer, I believe that dignity, safety, and respect are due to every person. I am working with colleagues to end these unfair workplace practices that leave victims behind. You can watch my questions in this important hearing here:
Said one witness, Myriam Gilles, "there's only one way to break down a toxic culture, and that's sunlight...what changes the culture is accountability."
Everyone counts, and everyone is accountable.
| Equal Protection Under the Law |
I led colleagues to call on U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to aid legal asylum seekers to allow them to continue working in the United States. Legal asylum seekers who are following the rules and obeying the law as they flee violence and persecution need to have a system that makes sense.
Delays under the current system harm law-abiding families and are bad for American businesses. We must ensure that our laws provide a stable, clear, and equitable system so that people who follow the rules are treated fairly and able to work and contribute to our economy.
| Standing for the Cuban People |
We know what freedom means in America. It is the lifeline of our nation. The people of Cuba have cried out for freedom and because of who we are, America must answer the call. Democracy and a free economy are the right path forward for Cuba.
I spoke in strong support of the Cuban protestors who are fighting for freedom, as we voted on a Congressional resolution expressing our support for the Cuban protesters. You can watch that speech here:
The people of Cuba must know that the U.S. government stands with them against the failed and oppressive communist and socialist regime. I call on U.S. officials to continue engaging with Florida's Cuban community as we proceed with tangible steps to fight for the Cuban people’s safety, liberty, and ability to freely choose their own futures. Patria y Vida.
| Holding Extremists Accountable |
I worked to stop violence in our community for 27 years as a law enforcement officer. This month I spoke out against a Member of Congress who engaged in violent rhetoric. When did we as a nation start debating whether violence is okay? This is about simple right and wrong. Violent rhetoric has led to multiple mass shootings. It’s unacceptable, it’s not who we are, and it needs to stop before more people get killed.
Civil servants and Members of Congress of both parties have received death threats inspired by violent and divisive rhetoric while GOP leaders have been silent. GOP leaders in Congress haven’t spoken out against death threats against members of their own party. Their political ambitions now come before the safety of their own members and the American public. When leadership fails bad things happen. America is a great nation because we solve our differences with the ballot, not the bullet. I will always fight for the safety of every American.
| Justice in Medicine and Government |
I was honored to accept the Excellence in Community Service Award this month from Dr. Reuben Warren, the National Center for Bioethics in Research and Health Care, and Tuskegee University.
This important award is a reminder of all that we need to do to hold America to its promise in all things, and to ensure that every person is treated with dignity and justice.
The event also commemorated the apology from the U.S. Government to the victims of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study, where treatment was withheld from Black men as part of a scientific experiment.
It was an injustice. It must never happen again. I remain hopeful that we can hold America to its promise.
| Protecting Our Homes From Natural Disasters |
Floods happen in Florida – that’s a fact of life, and it’s why I will continue to fight to ensure that every Floridian has access to affordable, dependable flood insurance.
Millions of Floridians work hard and play by the rules, and they need to be able to trust that a natural disaster won’t destroy all that they have worked so hard to build. More than 1.77 million Florida homeowners depend on the NFIP for affordable and reliable coverage for their home against flood damage.
Our new legislation puts them first by capping rate increases at 9% to prevent premium hikes under the new Risk Rating 2.0 pricing methodology. It also creates a new affordability program to ensure coverage for low- and middle-income families, and making it easier to pay premiums. I am excited to work across the aisle with my colleagues in the House and Senate to keep flood insurance affordable and help ensure it is there to help Florida homeowners when they need it most.
| Important Resources for our Community |
Are you having an issue with a federal agency?
Did you know my district office in Orlando has excellent caseworkers who are happy to help you get in contact with a federal agency?
For example, as international travel begins to pick up again, it is extremely important to check your passports before booking your flights to ensure smooth travel. Unforeseen circumstances can happen with your passports, and my office is here to help you with your emergency situations.
Here’s what a constituent had to say after our assistance in obtaining a passport:
“That’s great news! This relieves a lot of stress for me. Thanks for your help. This allows me to help deliver some needed support to US Army training in Europe. I was so worried I wouldn’t have the passport to make the trip. I really appreciate you time on this. Please stay safe.”
Are you attaining the rank of an Eagle Scout or receiving the Gold Award from Girl Scouts of America?
Did you know you can receive a certificate of Congressional recognition for reaching this milestone? As a former Girl Scout troop leader, I fully understand the magnitude of these accomplishments, which demonstrate dedication to public service through the development and implementation of an impressive service project, willingness to work hard, and overall commitment to academic excellence. Feel free to notify my office about your accomplishments.
Are you or someone you know a junior or senior in high school interested in attending a Service Academy after graduation?
Did you know a Congressional nomination must accompany your application? Each year my district office hosts a Service Academy Day with representatives from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy, and U.S. Military Academy. If you would like additional information, please call (321) 388-9808.
Vaccinations
To end this pandemic, it is vital that all of us get vaccinated.
For information about vaccination in Orange County, Florida,
You can schedule appointments at local pharmacies here: Walmart; Sam’s Club; Publix; Winn Dixie; Walgreens; CVS; Fresco y Más.
Get vaccinated!
As a reminder, my office is here to help you with any issue you may be having with a federal service. If you are working with a federal agency and are not receiving an answer in a timely fashion, or you feel you've been treated unfairly, our office may be able to assist you to resolve the problem or get more information.
Please reach out if you need help.
For more information on Congressional nominations for a Service Academy, please visit my website.
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During this tough time, I want to assure you that my staff and I are still working and ready to assist you. If you need help, please let us know. You can contact us here.
It is an honor and a privilege to serve and represent you. Please continue to care for one another and stay safe. I know that we can get through this together.
Sincerely,
U.S. Rep. Val Demings
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