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Dear Neighbor,
As we head into the August District work period, I am eager to attend events in the community and speak with many of you about the issues impacting your families. However, I can’t help but be disappointed that my colleagues once again failed last week to hold a vote on any meaningful measure to reduce the economic burdens that all Americans have been shouldering. While some important bills passed out of the House, including two measures I authored, this was another wasted opportunity to provide relief for Americans who are hurting.
My colleagues did find time to spend more of your hard-earned tax dollars by bailing out a private pension plan, creating heart health grant programs only for persons of certain ethnicities, offering corporate welfare to a highly successful industry, and implementing new “environmental justice programs in an attempt to mitigate wildfires.” I’m safe in assuming that these are not the topics the majority of you would opt to prioritize.
Please continue reading to learn more about my efforts on your behalf last week.
Rejecting America-Last Policies
Last week, I was asked to vote on legislation that provided $76 billion in tax subsidies for the semiconductor manufacturing industry and would authorize an additional $200 billion for the industry over next ten years to support the manufacturing of U.S.-made semiconductor chips. While I am definitely in favor of increasing domestic manufacturing, there are significant problems with this bill. The bill provided extensive tax breaks for this highly-profitable industry that are simply not warranted.
Chip sales are already the 4th leading U.S. export, with a relatively reliable domestic supply chain in place. Multiple outlets have reported that the pandemic computer-chip shortage has already begun easing, with new private investments to expand domestic production capacity already underway.
The legislation also failed to address the significant national security challenges facing our country, by providing safeguards to ensure that the recipients of federal tax breaks would not partner with Chinese companies. The bill simply takes taxpayer money and gives it to a small number of companies that are already engaged in U.S. production projects. This is corporate welfare that we cannot afford and these companies don’t need. Also, I was particularly concerned by a loophole in the bill which could allow some Chinese companies to benefit directly from the tax breaks. I voted no on this problematic bill.
In another egregious example of putting America’s needs last, I was appalled by my colleagues who once again blocked an amendment to prohibit the sale of U.S. oil reserves to China. Last week, President Biden touted what his team estimates to be a 17-42 cent per gallon reduction in the price of gas as a result of the execution of his plan to drain another 180 million barrels of oil from our emergency reserves, known as the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR).
When President Biden released millions of barrels of our oil reserves in the last quarter of 2021 to lower the price of gas, Americans saw a short-term reduction in the price of gas. However, those reductions evaporated once the President stopped dumping our reserves into the international market. These temporary price reductions come at a huge cost. The President has been selling one million barrels of oil per day from our nation’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve to the highest bidder-- even when that bidder is a company owned by the Chinese government.
The Administration claims it has no choice but to sell our emergency reserves to our nation’s leading adversary. However, when we tried to give the explicit authority to stop selling our oil to China, Democrats blocked the effort. U.S. reserves, which are at their lowest level since 1986, are designed to be used only in true emergencies, like hurricanes or other catastrophic events. Meanwhile, China continues to stockpile its own oil reserves at our expense. Our stockpile is not supposed to be used as a political gimmick to provide short-term relief in gas prices; it is for our national security. These America-last policies are unconscionable.
Getting Things Done
Last week, two more bills I authored passed out of the House. The “Reporting Attacks from Nations Selected for Oversight and Monitoring Web Attacks and Ransomware from Enemies Act” or the “RANSOMWARE Act” will strengthen the federal government’s efforts to respond to recent ransomware and other cyber-attacks from foreign adversaries, such as China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. We have seen an increase in cyber-crimes against Americans. These incidents underscore the importance of fortifying and modernizing our critical infrastructure to prevent and respond to cyber-attacks. This is a matter of national security, and we must do everything we can to protect all Americans from those who wish to do us harm.
The second bill reauthorizes the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) Gabriella Miller Kids First Pediatric Research Program (Kids First) and Data Resource Center for the next five years. This Pediatric Research Initiative has funded dozens of research projects around the country to advance knowledge and improve outcomes for children with cancer and a range of other rare diseases. Pediatric cancer remains the number one disease that leads to the death of American children. While survival rates have improved for some types of pediatric cancers, thousands of children are lost to cancer each year and many more encounter life threatening complications related to harsh chemotherapies. Children have significantly fewer treatment options than adults and often times must rely on treatment regimens developed for adults because pediatric-specific treatments simply do not exist for many pediatric cancers and rare diseases. The program is working to develop a clearer understanding of pediatric cancers and holds the promise for the development of better treatments and possible cures. As a longtime advocate for children and rare disease patients, I am proud to push for the continuation of this crucial research. I hope my colleagues in the Senate will expedite final passage of both these important bills.
Assessing the Impact of Inflation
New reports indicate that Bidenflation is costing the average American worker $3,400 per year. Because of inflation, Americans are being forced to take on extra jobs just to pay for gas and food. Prices are rising faster than wages, and more Americans than ever are working two full-time jobs simultaneously. Inflation, fueled by reckless spending, hurts seniors and those living on a fixed income the most! We simply have to stop the reckless spending and balance the budget.
Understanding the Impact of Biden’s War on Domestic Energy Production
Last week, the President warned that he will take Executive action to address climate change if Congress does not enact his plans. The President would be wise to remember that he is not a dictator with unlimited Executive power. Plus, the radical plans he has put forth ignore the financial realities facing American families and would exacerbate our energy crisis. We all want clean air, clean water, and a clean environment. But we can achieve those goals without imposing such hardships on American consumers. The best way to address our immediate needs is to regain American energy independence by resuming domestic production.
Saving Lives
We are seeing a rise in local overdoses throughout Tampa Bay. Law enforcement reports that the vast majority of fentanyl it is seeing has been trafficked in from the southern border. Attorney General Moody is asking the Biden Administration to classify fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction. She is right. Fentanyl is killing our kids and we need to do more to stop its free-flow into our country!
We must secure the border to save lives!
Providing Accountability
The Biden Administration just announced plans to ensure allies who served alongside American troops in Afghanistan have an easier time securing a green card. This is something that should have been resolved long before our botched withdraw. Sadly, there were many reports of Afghanistan allies who were tortured and killed during our hasty departure. We should never have left Americans, allies or assets behind in Afghanistan.
Supporting Law Enforcement
Anti-law enforcement rhetoric and Defund the Police movements have caused crime to skyrocket around the country, with attacks on law enforcement officers reaching historic highs. Fortunately, the majority in our community recognize the value of the brave men and women who put their lives on the line daily to keep us safe!
Protecting Your Privacy
I am spearheading efforts to provide a national privacy law to protect all Americans’ sensitive data. Click here to learn more.
Safeguarding American Intellectual Property
American colleges and universities lead the way in groundbreaking research that benefits our health, economy, and national security. But the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has developed initiatives to steal university research and technology, which ultimately aid the CCP’s military and help them grow. An estimated $225 billion to $600 billion worth of American intellectual property stolen by China annually. This has to STOP, which is why I’ve filed legislation to curb foreign influence in federally-funded medical research!
Supporting Small Businesses
Weekly, I highlight newly opened or expanded businesses in our community that my team has visited. Congratulations to our newest small business owners and best wishes for your continued success!
Congratulations to Mike McDonald, owner of ASPIRE martial arts, on the recent Grand Opening of his business in Tarpon Springs!
Constituent Corner
My office recently received the following message from a constituent.
I wanted to let you know I was finally able to obtain my Green Card. It was a long process, but I believe I would not have gotten through it without my caseworker from your office who helped me. Thank you so much!
This is just one example of the work we do each day. Constituent services are a critical element of our congressional office. The federal government is a massive operation, and my office is available if you ever need assistance in navigating the bureaucracy or cutting through red tape. We are here to serve you! |
