Congresswoman Lesko Weekly Update

Good Afternoon,

I hope everyone had a wonderful week in our great state of Arizona! Next Friday is Veterans Day, and I ask everyone to please join me in honoring all of the heroic veterans who have selflessly served and defended our great nation.

Lesko Opposes Authoritarian Vaccine Mandates

President Biden’s authoritarian COVID-19 vaccine mandates have harmed businesses and threatened our supply chain. I was pleased to join Rep. Rick Crawford (R-AR) in urging President Biden to rescind the cross-border vaccine requirement between the U.S. and Canada. Canada has already removed its cross-border vaccine and testing requirements for commercial truck drivers. It is time to support American truck drivers and businesses, strengthen our supply chains, and end the cross-border COVID-19 vaccine requirements between the U.S. and Canada.

Lesko Protects Federal Dollars from Funding Abortion Providers

I also joined Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-NY-22) in expressing our strong opposition and requesting answers from the Small Business Administration (SBA) regarding the determination that it was lawful for Planned Parenthood affiliates to receive Paycheck Protection Program loans from the SBA during the COVID-19 pandemic. Taxpayer dollars should never fund abortion providers, and Planned Parenthood affiliates should not have received these taxpayer funds.

GET THE FACTS: President Biden's Failed Energy Policies

On President Biden's first day in office, he revoked the permit for the Keystone XL pipeline. President Biden also issued a moratorium on new oil and gas leases on federal lands and waters. In fact, Biden has leased fewer acres of federal and offshore land for domestic oil and gas production at this point in his presidency than any other president since the end of World War II. As a result, energy prices have skyrocketed at home. The average price for a gallon of gas is still well above what it was the day President Biden took office. As a band-aid solution, Biden decided to drain our Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR), which is meant for emergencies, and the SPR is now at its lowest point since 1984 as a result. Instead of taxing oil companies or chipping away at our emergency supply, President Biden must unleash our domestic energy production. To lower gas prices for Americans, President Biden should end the federal freeze on oil and gas leases, expedite approval of all pipeline and energy development, and stop the regulatory assault on U.S. energy development. House Republicans are committed to taking these critical steps as a realistic solution to lowering energy prices and easing the pain at the gas pump.

Around the District

Monica from our office presented a Congressional Recognition to Operation Enduring Gratitude, a nonprofit that rebuilds homes for veterans. We are so grateful for their efforts to give back to our veterans who have dedicated their lives to defending our nation!

Monica from our office presented a Congressional Recognition to Mariah’s Miracle, a nonprofit in Goodyear, AZ, which provides grants for children that need therapy or medical equipment not covered by their insurance.

Casework Highlight

A constituent who is a business owner requested assistance after the IRS had not processed his amended tax returns and requests for the Employee Retention Tax Credits (ERTC). The delay in receiving the credits began to create a hardship for the business. Our office contacted the IRS and worked to get the returns processed and the ERTC's issued, and the constituent received his refund.

Encouraging Story

I want to share this story about how the Glendale Elementary School District will be hosting a free Veterans Day luncheon for community veterans on Thursday, November 10, 2022. Guests will receive thank you cards from students and have the opportunity to win prizes. It is wonderful to see so many Arizona students supporting our nations' veterans and their service to our nation in honor of Veterans Day.

Mobile Office Hours

Our office is hosting Mobile Office Hours on Thursday, November 17, 2022, at the Glendale Foothills Library in Glendale, AZ from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM AZ Time. Our casework team is ready to answer your questions and assist you with federal agencies.

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