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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 American Taxpayers
Republicans wasted no time with our new House majority last week, passing several key pieces of legislation. Our first priority was the Family and Small Business Taxpayer Protection Act, which blocks the Biden administration from hiring 87,000 new IRS agents and weaponizing them against small and family businesses. This was the first step toward fulfilling our promise to stop the Biden administration’s attack on hardworking Americans.
Protecting Pregnancy Centers from Attacks
Last year, our community was attacked by a group of unknown vandals who defaced the LifeChoice Pregnancy Center in Winter Haven. Sadly, this was just one of many similar terrorist attacks that occurred against pro-life organizations across the country after the Dobbs v. Jackson decision was irresponsibly leaked. I was proud to support H. Con. Res. 3, which condemns these attacks and the Born Alive Survivors Protection Act, which makes it a federal crime to fail to provide standard medical care to children born alive during an abortion. These important bills send a strong message that this hateful vandalism must be stopped and babies that survive an abortion attempt matter and will be cared for.
Serving on the Appropriations Committee
Last week, I was honored to be selected as one of the newest members of the House Committee on Appropriations. This very powerful committee is responsible for drafting the twelve appropriations bills that determine how discretionary federal tax dollars are spent by the various departments of our government. These bills essentially include all federal spending EXCEPT Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and interest on the national debt. It has been many years since the House and Senate have passed all twelve appropriations bills through the process known as “regular order.” Instead, Congress has funded the government through staggeringly expensive “Omnibus” spending bills that have exploded our national debt to over $31Trillion and grown the federal government to an unnecessary and unsustainable size. Restoring regular order and fiscal responsibility to our legislative process is one of my top priorities as your representative. I take this responsibility very seriously and will work tirelessly to ensure Floridians’ hard earned tax dollars are spend efficiently and judiciously.
Constituent Corner
Sharon from Lakeland called our office for help after the Defense Finance Accounting Service claimed she owed more than $65,000 due to overpayment of benefits. Our office assisted her and the entire debt was canceled. If you are having problems with the VA, Social Security or other federal agency we can help! Click here to learn more.
Hurricane Ian and Nicole Disaster Relief now Available
Those impacted by Hurricane Ian and/or Nicole can apply for federal assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Small Business Administration (SBA). Individuals and businesses impacted by both storms MUST apply for aid separately for each storm. Click here to learn more about available resources. Visit my website to learn how we can assist.
Test Your Knowledge #CivicsWithScott!
Spanish explorer Ponce de León landed in Florida in what year?
A. 1513
B. 1492
C. 1617
D. 1502
Last Week’s Question
Which of the following is NOT a duty of the Speaker of the House?
A. House presiding officer
B. Party leader
C. House clerk – CORRECT ANSWER
D. House administrative head
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
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Dr. Shoemaker announces candidacy for the Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) State Committeemen (SCM) and State Committeewomen (SCW) Caucus Chair
Lakeland—1/3/2023 — Dr. Ed Shoemaker announces candidacy for the Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) State Committeemen (SCM) and State Committeewomen (SCW) Caucus Chair.
Presently, Dr. Shoemaker serves as RPOF State Committeeman representing Polk County, Chair of the RPOF Congressional District 15 Caucus, President of the Faith Based Republican Club of West Polk, and member of the RPOF Faith Engagement Committee.
For the past 30 plus years, Shoemaker has experienced firsthand the devastating impact of progressive, liberal policies as an adoptive parent, community, mental health and education advocate.
Focus
As Chairman of the RPOF State Committeemen and State Committeewomen Caucus, Shoemaker will follow through on his commitment as State Committeeman to identify and implement proven strategies to elect True Conservative Republicans to public office statewide. Shoemaker will initiate his Chairmanship by focusing on Education and Accountability by focusing on holding RPOF Chartered Clubs and elected officers’ accountability to the “RPOF Loyalty Oath” by advocating for an amendment to the RPOF Party Rules of Procedure (Republican State Executive Committee) under Rule 1-Chartering Process for Republican Clubs to add the requirement of RPOF Charter Club members and their elected officers to sign and abide by the RPOF Loyalty Oath, define blatant violations and process for removal or revocation of a RPOF Charter Club member elected officer or an RPOF’s charter status. Another strategy we need to focus on is effective communication without compromising our values and Republican platform within our Party and with collaborative stakeholders.
Shoemaker emphasizes that “All Republicans need to be on the same page to reverse the devastating impact of the progressive, liberal policies by uniting and standing firm to protect the U.S. Constitution and our God-given inalienable rights.”
Professional Experience
Dr. Ed Shoemaker, PhD (Psychology), LMHC, QS, TF-CBT is a National Certified Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapist, Adoption Competency Trained Licensed Mental Health Counselor with 30 years of professional experience working with “at-risk”
children and families. Dr. Shoemaker is Founder, President and CEO OF Mr. Ed’s Circle of Inc. established in 2006 for the purpose of adoption advocacy, awareness, and therapeutic support services: creating family-based, strengths-based treatment programs and therapeutic support services to adoptive parents as an alternative to group home or institutional care for children and youth, promoting healthy relationships working in collaboration with adoption agencies, church leaders, ministry partners and the community. In addition, Mr. Ed’s Circle of Trust Inc. provides therapeutic support services to students and adults with disabilities and for the purpose of family preservation and reunification. Over the past 30 years, many “at-risk” children and families have improved their lives through the therapeutic support and services provided by Dr. Ed hoemaker; “Improving the Lives of Others through Meaningful Relationships.”
Community Focused
Dr. Shoemaker is also active in the community; presently serving as Chair of the Medulla Elementary School Advisory Committee Lakeland, Florida), Chair of the Polk County Housing Authority, President of the Rotary Club of Lakeland Sunrise, and member of the Personnel Committee of Medulla Baptist Church.
Accomplishments
Political
· 2022 Defend Freedom Event, Polk County
· 2022 Lead, Polk County School Board elections, Polk REC
· 2020 Co-Ordinator, God and Country Rally, Faith Based Republican Club of West Polk
· 2020 Elected Delegate (CD15) to RNC Convention
· 2018 US House Congressional District 15 Candidate
· 2016 Polk County School Board Candidate
· 2017-2020 Alternate Chair, RPOF Congressional District 15 Caucus,
Community
· 2012-present, member Medulla Elementary School Advisory Committee
· 2020 Consultant, Children’s book titled “Freddy the Foster Frog Finds a Friendly Family”
· 2019-2021 Advisory Board, Community Partnership Schools, UCF
· 2017-2021 Advisory Board, Children’s Homes Society of Greater Lakeland
· 2017-2018 Board of Directors, Learning Resource Center of Polk
· 2017-2018 Co-Chair, Community Partnership School Model Initiative, Polk Vision
· 2016-2018 Lead Advocate, Community Partnership School Model, Polk County
· 2014-2016, Chair, Polk County District Advisory Council Executive Board
· 2011 Nominee, Irene Sullivan Adoption Advocacy Award (Pinellas County)
Education
· 2021 Inducted, National Society of Leadership and Success, Northcentral University
· 2018 Nominated, Alumni of the Year, Northcentral University
· 2016 Doctorate degree (Psychology), Northcentral University2001
· Master of Art’s degree (Biblical Counseling), Trinity Bible College & Seminary
· 1994 Bachelor of Art’s degree (Psychology), The Union Institute
Florida high school students applying for the state’s college and vocational school scholarship program will be able to substitute paid work experience for volunteering under a bill signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday.
Students who apply for the Bright Futures program starting in the next school year will be able to fulfill the volunteer requirement by working 100 hours. During a bill signing ceremony at Hillsborough Community College in Tampa, DeSantis said the change will help low-income families whose teenagers need to work.
The scholarships are awarded to students who attain high grade=point averages and test scores. They receive various amounts based on what level they achieve.
In the 2020-21 school year, the state distributed about $650 million to about 120,000 students – an average of $5,400 each.
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