Congresswoman Lesko Weekly Update |
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Good Afternoon,
I hope everyone had a wonderful week! This Sunday is the 21st anniversary of the attacks on September 11, 2001. We must never forget the thousands of Americans who lost their lives on that terrible day. Let us come together to mourn those we lost and honor the heroism of the victims and first responders who have proven that the American spirit will never be broken.
This week, I met with hospital staff at the Banner Thunderbird Medical Center in Glendale, AZ, and I had a wonderful tour of their laboratory and pathology department!
I toured the Maricopa County’s Medical Examiner’s office and had an important discussion about the surge of deadly fentanyl that is pouring into our communities and tragically taking people’s lives.
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Lesko Leads Arizona Delegation Letter on Arizona's Water Supply
This week, I sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland calling on the Department of the Interior to facilitate negotiations between the Colorado River Basin States and establish the department’s authority if the states cannot reach an agreement on their own. Arizona has already been leading in our water conservation efforts, so we should not be facing such an outsized reduction in our water allocation. That is why I am also asking the Department to urge other states, such as California, to make cutes in line with their own water usage.
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Lesko Demands Accountability on Failed Afghanistan Withdrawal
I was pleased to join Rep. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK-02) in demanding accountability from the Biden Administration for their catastrophic withdrawal from Afghanistan. It has been over a year since the disastrous withdrawal, yet no one in the Biden Administration has taken responsibility for the terrible decisions that left hundreds of Americans behind, 13 heroic Americans dead, and billions worth of military equipment in the hands of our enemies. I am committed to working with my Congressional colleagues to get answers from this administration, especially for the families who lost loved ones in Afghanistan. We cannot forget their bravery and selfless service to our nation.
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Lesko Requests Answers on Goods Made by Uyghur Slave Labor in China
I was pleased to join Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN-03) in urging U.S. Customs and the Department of the Treasury to properly implement the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act and stop products made from the forced labor of Uyghurs from entering the U.S. The letter specifically addresses red jujube dates that are found in grocery stores across our nation that are produced and packaged using Uyghur slave labor in China. I will continue to work with my Congressional colleagues to stand up to the Chinese Communist Party and their continued acts of genocide.
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GET THE FACTS: President Biden's Economic Crisis Continues
One of my top priorities in Congress is combatting President Biden and Congressional Democrats' reckless spending that has sent prices soaring and dramatically increased the cost of living. This economic crisis has made it harder for working-class Arizonans and seniors on fixed incomes to put food on the table and afford to fill up their gas tanks. In the Phoenix area, food prices are up 9.3% from a year ago while energy prices are up 43.3%. Instead of working to fix this crisis, Democrats have doubled down on their failed policies. According to the Penn Wharton Budget Model, President Biden’s student loan debt scam could cost taxpayers $500 billion to $1 trillion, creating an added tax burden of $2,000 for the average taxpayer. Nearly 60% of Americans are worried this scheme could make inflation worse. The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) also recently confirmed that the Democrats' Inflation Expansion Act will actually increase our nation's deficit through 2026. I remain committed to stopping this reckless spending on partisan priorities that has only made life harder for Arizonans and Americans across our nation. We must return to fiscal sanity and advance policies that promote our nation's economic prosperity.
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Casework Highlight
A constituent reached out to our office after the IRS mistakenly marked her as deceased in their database, preventing her 2020 tax return from being processed. Our office reached out to the IRS, and they verified her identity and corrected the error. Her return was then processed, and she was issued a refund.
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Encouraging Story
I want to share this story about how Glendale, AZ will be hosting its 9th annual Stand Up for Veterans event on September 24, 2022. The event features ways to support veterans, such as medical assistance, a hiring event, social services for veterans and their families, and information on community college courses. Over 50 veteran service organizations will be participating as well. Thank you to our wonderful constituents in Glendale and across our district who are working hard to support our veterans and give back to those who have dedicated their lives to defending our great nation!
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District Office Internships
Our district office in Surprise, AZ is now accepting applications for internships! Congressional internships are a wonderful way to gain valuable insight into how the federal government works while serving the community, and I strongly encourage students to apply. Click here to submit your internship application, and please call our office at 623-776-7911 if you have any questions.
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Military Academy Nominations
Are you interested in attending a Military Service Academy? Applications for Service Academy Nominations are now open! The deadline for this year’s Service Academy Nominations is October 28, 2022. Visit my website or click here to learn more and apply!
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Congressional App Challenge
Submissions for the Congressional App Challenge are now open to all middle and high school students! The Congressional App Challenge is a competition to encourage students to engage in coding and computer science. App submissions are due by November 1, 2022. Winning apps will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol! Register today and submit your app here.
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We are Here to Help |
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As always, my office is here to help. My Surprise district office is 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, Parler, Gettr, and Truth Social, 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
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