Congresswoman Lesko Weekly Update

Good Afternoon,

I hope everyone had a wonderful week! I had a busy week back in Arizona and in the U.S. House of Representatives! 

I toured Honeywell's engine facility in Phoenix, AZ, where I was able to learn more about how they are leading in aerospace and aviation technology. Honeywell is also a supplier for NASA’s groundbreaking Artemis mission!

I also had a wonderful time speaking at the NRA Women’s Leadership Summit to discuss how I am fighting to protect Americans’ right to defend themselves and how we need to save our great nation from Democrats’ radical attacks on the Second Amendment!

In Washington, D.C., I met with legislators from Taiwan to discuss the relationship between Taiwan and Arizona and the importance of continued U.S. – Taiwan relations.

I was honored to receive the Guardian of Small Business Award from the National Federation of Independent Businesses! I will continue to advocate for pro-growth economic policies that help our small business owners and workers thrive.

In the News

I want to make sure you don't miss a second of  what I’m doing to fight for Arizonans each and every day. Check out my latest interviews below. 

I joined the Todd Starnes Show to discuss my trip to the southern border, where I spoke with Border Patrol agents who told me this was the worst border crisis they had ever seen. Plus we discuss how the border crisis seems intentional. President Biden and Congressional Democrats want open borders, and the proof is in their policies that grant mass amnesty and eliminate successful policies such as Remain in Mexico.

Lesko Hosts First-Ever Protect Kids Caucus Back-to-School Roundtable

This week, I was proud to lead the Protect Kids Caucus in our first back-to-school roundtable with guest speakers Carrie Lukas, Ginny Gentles, and Nicole Solas from the Independent Women's Forum, Chris "Billboard" Elston, and Brandon Michon. We were joined by Protect Kids Caucus Members Paul Gosar (R-AZ-04), Carol Miller (R-WV-03), Mary Miller (R-IL-15), and Ralph Norman (R-SC-05). As parents send their children back to school this fall, we want to warn parents about the concerning push to normalize the sexualization of their children. I am grateful to all of the roundtable's participants who shared their stories and the work they are doing to fight against this radical agenda and protect our nation's children!

Lesko Defends Military Readiness and Religious Liberty

Thousands of military servicemembers are now facing discharge over the Biden Administration's vaccine mandate, which is a threat to our military readiness and the freedom of our courageous servicemembers. That is why I was pleased to join Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA-04) and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) on an amicus brief to defend the religious liberty of our Navy SEALS and uphold their religious exemptions from President Biden’s authoritarian vaccine mandates.

GET THE FACTS: President Biden's Inflation Crisis Continues

Americans are paying for President Biden's cost of living crisis. Nationally, the inflation rate is up 8.3% from a year ago. Food prices alone are up 11.4% since last year, the largest one-year increase in prices since 1979, while grocery prices overall are up 13.5%. In Arizona, prices are up even higher. Consumer prices rose to 13% in the Phoenix, AZ area over the past year, while energy prices are up 19.2% and food prices are up 14.1%. Biden’s inflation crisis has cost the average American worker over $3,000 of their yearly income. I am committed to doing everything I can to stop this cost of living crisis that is making life unaffordable for Arizonans, particularly seniors on fixed incomes. One of the first ways to fix this crisis is to stop President Biden and Congressional Democrats' reckless spending. I will continue to hold them accountable for their failed economic agenda and put hard-earned dollars back in the pockets of the American people.

Around the District

Monica from our office met with Consul General Olga Cielo Molina from the Colombian Consulate in Los Angeles, CA, and other leaders of the Colombian community! They discussed the services our office provides and how to support Colombian Americans here in Arizona.

Austin from our office attended the ribbon cutting for Abundant Life Force in Anthem, AZ, which is dedicated to providing healthy and natural wellness products. Welcome to Arizona’s 8th Congressional District!

Monica from our office presented a Congressional Recognition to Dementia Friendly Surprise, which educates people on dementia and provides resources on dementia awareness. We are grateful for the support you give to people with dementia in Surprise, AZ!

Michael from our office accompanied members of the 56th Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal out of Luke Air Force Base for a training event to dispose of Intercontinental Ballistic Missile rocket motors. This is an important training so that servicemembers can respond to any incident at Camp Navajo, where the missiles are dismantled or destroyed.

Monica from our office met with students from Our Lady of the Sun Academy, located in El Mirage, AZ at our Surprise, AZ district office! The students learned about the federal government, how our office serves constituents, and opportunities that our office provides such as the Congressional Art Competition, Congressional App Challenge, and U.S. Military Service Academy nominations!

Austin from our office attended the ribbon cutting for Help My Senior in Peoria, AZ. Help My Senior is starting a new caregiver school to serve our senior community in Peoria!

Casework Highlight

A constituent contacted our office because she received a bill saying she owed money from her Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP). Our office contacted the Defense Finance and Accounting Services (DFAS) to correct the issue. DFAS audited her account, established the bill was issued in error, and determined that the constituent did not owe money from her SBP.

Encouraging Story

I want to share this story about an Arizona organization, The Singletons, that has been helping families, especially single-parent families, battling cancer. They provide healthy meal kids to help decrease the stress of food preparation, and recently started a of-its-kind family center where these families can go for a safe and supportive environment while they undergo treatment and recovery. 

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!

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.

We are Here to Help

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