Hello Friend,

Welcome to my e-newsletter, the Ready Room. As a retired Naval Aviator, the Ready Room is special to me because it’s where fellow aviators meet to brief and debrief missions. This is my weekly briefing to you on my mission in Congress. Please follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube for regular updates on how my team and I are working to serve you in Congress.

Protecting your financial privacy

Thanks to a new provision passed by Democrats on a party line vote, millions of small business owners, freelancers, independent contractors, and other taxpayers who use payment apps like Venmo or PayPal will for the first time receive a tax document from the IRS this year. This is due to an amendment to IRS code which lowers the reporting threshold for payment apps from $20,000 on 200 or more transactions to any transaction more than $600. To make matters worse, the IRS hasn't provided guidance to app companies on how they should discern private transactions from business transactions. The new requirement could also require apps to collect sensitive data on users and share it with the IRS. 

This vague and potentially intrusive rule change could spell trouble for countless honest taxpayers. That's why I signed on to a letter calling on the IRS to delay implementation of the new reporting requirements until these important details are clarified. Americans should not have their financial privacy jeopardized due to bad policymaking. Click here to read the letter.

Defending the second amendment from boardroom gun control

Anti-gun activists in large financial institutions and other corporations are attacking our constitutionally protected Second Amendment rights by adopting policies designed to destroy the firearm industry. Many of these activist corporations are also the beneficiaries of lucrative government contracts. I do not think these companies should be allowed to profit off the taxpayers whose rights they are seeking to destroy. That's why I co-sponsored the Firearm Industry Non-Discrimination (FIND) Act, which will fight back against boardroom gun control by preventing businesses that discriminate against firearm businesses or associations from contracting or subcontracting with the federal government. Click here to learn more.

Traveling for the holidays? Our office can help!

Traveling abroad for the holiday season? Before you leave, be sure to check your passport's expiration date. Passports are valid for 10 years if issued at age 16 or older and five years if issued when you were under 16. Many foreign countries also require that your passport be valid for another six months in order to be admitted. Our office can help expedite passport services. Call us at 863-644-8215 or click here to learn more.

Hurricane Ian Disaster Relief is Available

Those impacted by Hurricane Ian can apply for federal assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Small Business Administration (SBA). Our office can help with the application process. Click here to learn more about available resources. Visit my website to learn how we can assist.

Test Your Knowledge #CivicsWithScott!

Which president established a doctrine in December 1823 prohibiting further colonization of the Americas by Europe?

A. Andrew Jackson
B. John Quincy Adams
C. James Monroe
D. Abraham Lincoln

Last Week's Question

Which president declared that the last Thursday in November would be commemorated as Thanksgiving Day?

A. George Washington
B. Abraham Lincoln - CORRECT ANSWER
C. Thomas Jefferson
D. Teddy Roosevelt

I’m honored to represent you in Congress. For more information on constituent services, current legislation, and to sign up for my e-newsletter, please visit my website at franklin.house.gov. 

Best regards,

C. Scott Franklin
Member of Congress