Congresswoman Lesko Weekly Update

Good Afternoon,

I hope everyone had a wonderful week! This week, I was in Washington, D.C. for a series of votes in the U.S. House of Representatives! 

House Republicans' Commitment to America

America is an exceptional nation, founded on the principles of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Unfortunately, Americans have suffered crisis after crisis under one-party Democrat rule in Washington, D.C. This week, House Republicans introduced our plan, the Commitment to America, to get our nation back on track. Republicans want an economy that's strong. We commit to supporting pro-growth policies that remove government-imposed barriers to success. Republicans want a nation that's safe, so we commit to supporting our troops and our law enforcement officers and to securing our southern border. Republicans want a future built on freedom, so we commit to supporting parents and defending the liberties of every single American. Republicans want a government that's accountable to the people, and we commit to ensuring Washington, D.C. works for the American people. This is our Commitment to America.

It was wonderful to meet with students and teachers from SkillsUSA to discuss the importance of career and technical education.

I met with Ukrainian-Americans from Arizona who were with Razom, a non-profit supporting the Ukrainian people! I heard harrowing stories from soldiers on the front lines, and I will continue to stand with the Ukrainian people as they fight for their sovereignty against Russia.

It was wonderful to join the International Franchise Association for a discussion on supporting businesses to promote jobs and our nation’s economic prosperity and how Members of Congress can find bipartisan solutions to help the American people.

It was great to meet with Jason Bezozo from Banner Health to discuss how Banner, the largest hospital system in Arizona, is serving seniors and people of all ages across our great state!

It was wonderful to join the Direct Selling Association’s Legal and Regulatory Seminar to discuss the important role direct sellers play in our economy, the challenges they face, and how, with low barriers to entry, we can encourage more people to get involved.

I also met with EMD Serono to discuss improving access treatment options for cancer and other difficult-to-treat health concerns and diseases.

It was wonderful to speak with the Arizona Builders Alliance and discuss the importance of securing and strengthening our supply chain and how national economic policies are impacting Arizonans.

Lesko Holds Biden Administration Accountable in Energy and Commerce Committee

This week, I joined my Republican Energy and Commerce Committee colleagues in fighting to hold the Biden Administration accountable for its war on American energy, the border crisis, failed COVID response, and baby formula crisis. We want to give the American people the answers they deserve on these numerous crises. 

I stood up for my constituents and people across our nation who have suffered terrible adverse effects from the COVID-19 vaccine. They should be allowed to seek compensation for their vaccine injuries, too.

I slammed the Biden Administration for failing to secure the border and allowing record amounts of fentanyl to flow across our southern border and take the lives of thousands of Americans.

I called out Vice President Kamala Harris for claiming the southern border is secure. The border is certainly not secure! We are facing the worst border crisis in history because President Biden has left our border wide open. That is why I introduced a Resolution of Inquiry in the House Energy and Commerce Committee to demand answers from the Biden Administration on its decision to end Title 42, an important measure to secure our border and protect public health.

I discussed how Democrats are trying to emulate Europe and California’s rush-to-green policies that have caused high energy prices and rolling blackouts. Republicans are for affordable, all-of-the-above energy solutions that keep the lights on!

I also discussed how Democrats’ rush-to-green policies are unsustainable and how President Biden has turned around and begged foreign dictators for energy. We need all-of-the-above policies that unleash American energy and put America first.

Finally, I also brought to the Committee's attention how Arizona is home to an abundance of copper, an integral part of our energy grid infrastructure. I called on President Biden to stop his war on domestic energy and mining and encourage copper mining in Arizona to protect our supply chain and create American jobs!

Lesko Introduces Legislation to Protect Arizona's Water Supply and Border Security

This week, I introduced the Protecting Our Border, Protecting Our Water Act to call on the International Boundary and Water Commission to require that Mexico forfeit one acre foot of water from its Colorado River water allocation for every illegal immigrant caught in one of the Basin States who is found to have crossed the U.S. southern border illegally. Arizona has been on the front lines of the crisis at our southern border and has also been forced to take an outsized cut to our water allocation from the Colorado River. I was pleased to introduce this legislation to hold Mexico accountable for its role in failing to prevent the record number of illegal immigrants crossing our southern border while also addressing the escalating water crisis in our state.

GET THE FACTS: President Biden's Border Crisis

The numbers are in, and President Biden's border crisis has gotten even worse. In August 2022, there were 203,597 illegal crossings at our southern border, making August the 18^th month in a row with over 150,000 illegal migrant crossings. For the first time on record, our southern border surpassed two million illegal migrant crossings in a single fiscal year, and there is still one more month left. In total, nearly three-and-a-half million illegal immigrants have been apprehended at our southern border since President Biden took office. To make matters even worse, there have been 78 suspected terrorists apprehended so far this fiscal year. That's more than double the past five years combined. What makes this number even more concerning is that these are just the people getting caught. With over 500,000 known gotaways this fiscal year, we do not know how many dangerous criminals are evading apprehension and illegally entering our nation. Border security is national security. President Biden and Congressional Democrats' open border policies have made us less safe. I will continue to work with my House Republican colleagues to hold the Biden Administration accountable for its disastrous immigration policies and support legislation that restores our border security.

Around the District

Austin from our office presented a Congressional Recognition to Spencer’s Place, a coffee shop in Surprise, AZ, that provides training and employment to empower people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Monica from our office met with a delegation from Armenia and discussed the differences between U.S. and Armenian lawmaking procedures and the laws and procedures in Armenia surrounding domestic violence victims. This was facilitated by the Council of International Programs to promote international understanding through professional development and cross-cultural exchanges.

Monica from our office attended a meeting with the El Centro Kiwanis Club, which started only three months ago, to speak with them about the constituent services our office can provide. We wish them success with their service to our communities!

Austin from our office attended a ribbon cutting for Thrive Healing Center in Sun City West, AZ! Thrive Healing Center provides natural and traditional therapeutic products and services to help combat a variety of common health concerns and promote people’s overall wellbeing.

Casework Highlight

A constituent filed her 2017 and 2018 tax returns in October of 2019, but her returns still had not yet been processed by early 2022 because the IRS required further identity verification. Our office contacted the IRS and worked with both parties to verify the constituent's identity. The IRS was able to verify her identity and issued both tax refunds.

Encouraging Story

I want to share this story about the Arizona Cardinals hosting a training event for military veterans. Veterans ran through physical drills, discussed their stories, and talked about the challenges veterans face when returning to civilian life. It is wonderful to see organizations like the Arizona Cardinals do their part to give back to those who have made enormous sacrifices to defend our great nation.

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

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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