The Webster WireListening to FloridiansDear Friends: My prayers go out to those throughout Florida and the southeast who have been affected by Hurricane Helene. I have been working with my colleagues in the Florida delegation to ensure Floridians get the assistance they need as recovery begins. As communities begin recovering from Helene, many volunteer organizations are stepping up to help those affected get back on their feet. If you need assistance with storm damage, cleaning debris, or getting food and household goods, please visit https://www.floridadisaster.org/Updates .
We Must Protect Our EconomyNearly weeks ago, as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, I along with my republican colleagues on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, urged the Biden-Harris Administration to do everything in its power to aid negotiations between United States Maritime Alliance and International Longshoremen’s Association to prevent a work stoppage at East and Gulf coast ports. Disruption in work at these ports could have dire impacts on the flow of goods to American stores and consumers, on our access to energy, and our economy overall. Honoring Gold Star Mothers and FamiliesYesterday was Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day – a solemn reminder for us to honor the mothers and family members whose sons and daughters paid the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our freedoms. May we always remember these men and women and honor their families. We owe them a debt we can never repay.
Seeing and Serving You
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The Ready Room – Representative Scott Franklin September 30, 2024
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Hello Friend, RESILIENCE IN STATE OF EMERGENCY
Our heartfelt prayers are with the millions throughout the Southeast affected by Hurricane Helene’s deadly storm surge and winds last week. Thank you to first responders, emergency management staff, law enforcement and utility workers for working before, during and after the storm to help keep our community safe. I joined my Florida colleagues in urging the Biden Administration to issue a major disaster declaration and release needed disaster relief immediately. Click here to learn more. HOLDING OFFICIALS ACCOUNTABLE FOR AFGHANISTAN WITHDRAWAL
It’s been three years since the disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal that allowed the Taliban to quickly reverse the gains America secured through 20 years of fighting, at a cost of trillions of dollars and nearly 2,500 American lives. The final act of abandonment resulted in 13 service members killed in the Abbey Gate bombing, billions of dollars in advanced military equipment falling into the hands of the Taliban, betrayal of our allies there on the ground and the emboldening of our adversaries. Americans are still waiting for accountability. That’s why last week, I voted for H. Res. 1469 to provide transparency and hold accountable key players in the execution of the Afghanistan withdrawal. We must ensure a tragic failure like this never happens again. The resolution was agreed to 219 – 194. Click here to learn more. SAVE THE DATE: CAPTURE THE FLAG TOURNAMENT
CONSTITUENT CORNER
Are you experiencing delays with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)? Our office recently helped constituents with the approval of their work authorization and with the reopening of a mistakenly denied immigration case. If you need assistance with USCIS or another federal agency, click here or call (863) 644-8215. <ƒand international trade? A. Ways and Means – Correct answer Last Week’s Question Which House of Representatives committee is responsible for issues such as taxes, bond debt, tariffs and international trade? A. Ways and Means – Correct answer Franklin In the News U.S. Representative Scott Franklin pens resources – Four Corners Sun Polk County Veterans Services Division opens office in new Lakeland VA Clinic – The Ledger Key Social Media Posts
@RepFranklin My Florida colleagues and I attended a bipartisan hurricane and storm recovery briefing. Our federal partners briefed us on their efforts to keep us informed and our communities safe.
@RepFranklin Enjoyed meeting with the Florida Credit Union Association during their annual Washington DC fly-in this week. We had a great conversation about the work they’re doing to support the 268,331 credit union members in FL-18. It is an honor and privilege to represent you in Congress. Please take a moment to fill out my latest constituent survey here . Your feedback helps me better represent you. 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 |
| Washington, DC Office 249 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-1252 |
Lakeland District Office 124 S. Florida Avenue, Suite 304 Lakeland, FL 33801 Phone: (863) 644-8215 |
Lake Placid District Office 1069 US 27 North, Room 116 Lake Placid, FL 33852 |
Congressman Greg Steube September 22, 2024
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September 22, 2024 Dear Floridian: Service Academy nomination applications are due soon! The deadline to submit my office’s application is Friday, October 4th. If you’re interested in attending a U.S. Service Academy, be sure to complete and submit all required materials before then. Remember, you must also apply directly to the Service Academies of your choice. In Washington this week, I stood firm on conservative principles by voting against the runaway-spending Continuing Resolution. The American people gave Republicans the House to fight for conservative policy wins. Why would we continue six more months of Pelosi-Schumer bloated spending that has already driven our debt to a staggering $35 trillion? I introduced the PAGER Act to prevent Lebanon from funneling U.S. taxpayer dollars to the brutal Hezbollah terrorists. Hezbollah hates America and Israel. It’s critical our foreign policies don’t indirectly harm Israel. I fought back against dangerous policy shifts from the Biden-Harris administration by debating in favor of the Anti-BDS Labeling Act, which later passed the House with my support. The legislation codifies a Trump notice requiring products made in certain areas of Judea and Samaria to be labeled as originating from Israel. T o receive frequent updates about the work I’m doing in Congress, I encourage you to visit my website , like my Facebook page , follow me on Rumble , follow me on Gettr, follow me on Truth Social , follow me on Instagram , and follow me on Twitter. View the locations of upcoming Mobile Office Hours here . Keep reading for the full update. Thank you and God bless,
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Opposing More Runaway Spending in DC I voted no on the Continuing Resolution (CR) because enough is enough. Senate Democrats, led by Chuck Schumer, refuse to take up the SAVE Act—a bill I cosponsored and supported on the House floor—which ensures that only American citizens can vote in our elections. While the House passed the bill this summer, the Senate has stalled it. Putting it on a horrible piece of legislation that does nothing to rein in spending and continues liberal funding measures is not in any way an obligation of Congress. I’ve never supported CR’s, and I’m not starting now. The overwhelming majority of our country does not support late term abortions, Biden’s politicized and weaponized DOJ and the invasion at our Southern Border, which the CR will continue supporting along with a whole host of other liberal and reckless programs and foreign aid to our enemies like Hamas and Hezbollah. Speaker Johnson promised we wouldn’t keep relying on these temporary fixes, and I agree. Why continue six more months of Pelosi-Schumer bloated spending that has already driven our debt to a staggering $35 trillion? All while we are running a $1.5+ trillion dollar annual deficit. Read more here .
Introducing the PAGER Act to Prevent Lebanon from Funneling U.S. Taxpayer Dollars to Hezbollah I introduced legislation, the Preventing Armed Groups from Engaging in Radicalism (PAGER) Act to prevent Lebanon from funneling U.S. taxpayer dollars to the terrorist group, Hezbollah. We cannot, in good conscience, continue sending U.S. taxpayer dollars to Lebanon when they are complicit in empowering a terrorist organization whose primary mission is to destroy America and Israel. Hezbollah is propped up by the Iranian regime, and responsible for countless attacks against our ally Israel and responsible for killing hundreds of Americans during the horrific attacks on our Beirut Marine Barracks and our U.S. Embassy in 1983. The legislation states no federal funds are authorized to be appropriated to the Lebanese Armed Forces until the Secretary of State certifies to Congress that multiple safeguards are in place to prevent the funds from getting into the hands of Hezbollah. Read more here .
On the House Floor: Fighting Against the Biden-Harris Attempt to Undermine Israel I took a stand on the House floor in support of Rep. Claudia Tenney’s crucial Anti-BDS Labeling Act. This legislation upholds the common-sense policy from the Trump administration that mandates products made in Judea and Samaria be labeled as “Made in Israel.” However, the Biden-Harris administration is considering reversing this policy, a move that would capitulate to anti-Israel extremists and legitimize anti-Semitic efforts to undermine our strongest ally in the Middle East. In a time of global uncertainty, it is imperative that we stand firm with Israel and reject any policies that seek to weaken this vital alliance. The Biden-Harris Administration must stop trying to appease the terrorist sympathizers in their party. Watch my full remarks here .
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Joining Fox and Friends First to Discuss the Second Assassination Attempt on President Trump’s Life
Joining Gray TV to Discuss IRS Unconstitutional Overreach
Joining EWTN News Nightly to Discuss Stopping Runaway Spending in DC
Joining ABC 7 to Discuss Cutting Spending in DC
Joining ABC 7 to Announce New MVP’s
Joining SNN TV to Honor Two New MVPs
Joining Fox 13 to Discuss the Life Saving Decisions of 2 Floridians
Joining WTSP to Discuss the Courage of 2 Floridian MVPs
Joining Washington Watch with Tony Perkins to Discuss the UN’s Anti Israel Resolution
Joining The Tom Laipply Podcast to Discuss my STOP WEIRD Act |
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“U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) introduced the Preventing Armed Groups from Engaging in Radicalism (PAGER) Act, aimed at stopping U.S. taxpayer dollars from being funneled to Hezbollah through the Lebanese government.” Read more here . VENICE GONDOLIER | ‘They see someone in need and they react’ – Congressman honors two who saved man “On Monday, he was standing beside Florida Fish & Wildlife Officer Specialist Kelsey Dalton, the officer who helped him rescue the driver, as they were both recognized by U.S. Rep. Greg Steube. The congressman referred to both Yacca and Dalton as ‘the epitome of Americans.'” Read more here . THE HILL | These 3 Dems, 14 Republicans crossed aisle on funding bill vote “We have already voted and passed the SAVE act, which Chuck Schumer has and will continue to ignore,” Steube said in a post on X Wednesday. “Putting it on a horrible piece of legislation that does nothing to rein in spending and continues liberal funding measures is not in any way an obligation of Congress.” Read more here . |
TAMPA FREE PRESS | Florida Rep. Greg Steube Introduces PAGER Act To Block U.S. Funding From Reaching Hezbollah |
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Congressman Daniel Webster September 23, 2024
The Webster WireListening to FloridiansDear Friends: Today, Governor Ron DeSantis issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency for 41 Florida counties, including Sumter County given the risk Tropical Cyclone Nine poses to Florida. Right now, this storm is south of Cuba and moving north – NOAA experts expect it to reach the Gulf of Mexico sometime tomorrow where it would likely strengthen to a hurricane. Now is a good time to make sure you and your family are prepared. Make sure your emergency plan and kit of supplies are updated, and that you are following updates from local, county, and state officials as the storm approaches. Visit my Disaster Preparedness webpage at https://webster.house.gov/disaster-preparedness for tips and information on what to include.
We Must Secure American ElectionsWith the fiscal year ending September 30, the U.S. House voted last week on H.R.9494 that would have kept the government funded for 6 months. This legislation included the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE Act) , legislation that ensures only American citizens can register and vote in federal elections. I hate and almost never support continuing resolutions, but given Biden-Harris’ open borders we must ensure illegals cannot register to vote in our elections. I voted for this bill on Wednesday because it prevents another last minute bloated omnibus bill that would tie the hands of a future Trump Administration, all while addressing the need to secure our elections. It’s simple, only American citizens should be able to vote in American elections. The SAVE Act would protect the integrity of our elections by removing non-citizens from existing voter rolls and ensure that documentary proof of citizenship is obtained when registering to vote in federal elections. Despite my support, the bill failed to pass. I remain focused on cutting the spigot of wasteful spending that contributes to our national debt, burdening hardworking Americans. Protecting Our Nation’s PortsGrowing cybersecurity threats at Seaports across the country pose a risk to our nation’s supply chain. As Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, I introduced the Protecting Investments in Our Ports Act , last week that would address these vulnerabilities and take significant steps in protecting port operations against potential cyber-attacks by those who wish to disrupt our supply chains. This bill would require ports applying for a grant under the existing Port Infrastructure Development Program update their existing Facility Security Plans to protect against any cybersecurity threats presented by software or digital infrastructure purchased with grant funding. We must ensure that our ports insulate their operations against any potential cyberattacks from those attempting to disrupt our supply chains. This legislation is an important step toward doing just that.
Guardian of Small BusinessI was honored to be awarded with the Guardian of Small Business Award last week by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB). America’s small businesses are the backbone of our economy and a vital component of our economic prosperity. As a small business owner myself, I know firsthand the challenges small business owners face daily. I have and will continue to support legislation that removes unnecessary barriers and helps small business owners, and their employees achieve success.
Seeing and Serving You
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Congresswoman Laurel Lee September 21, 2024
House Republicans are Standing up for Women and ChildrenSince 2021, more than 10 million illegal immigrants have crossed our nation’s borders, and this number continues to grow by the day. Of the millions of people who are coming into America unlawfully, there have been instances of known criminals and even terrorists crossing our border and being released into American communities. Just last week, my colleagues and I on the House Judiciary Committee heard testimony from the loved ones of innocent children who have fallen victim to the hands of violent illegal aliens, who were encouraged to enter our country by this administration’s open-border policies. This week, H.R. 7909, the Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act, passed the House of Representatives with my supporting vote. This commonsense bill would ensure illegal aliens who are convicted of sexual or domestic violence offenses are immediately deported or denied entry into our country. Enough is enough—House Republicans are standing up for innocent women and children in America. To learn more about H.R. 7909, you can watch my full remarks on the House floor here .
Recognizing Suicide Prevention MonthSeptember is National Suicide Prevention Month. Unfortunately, more than 48,000 people die by suicide each year in the United States. Please remember, you are never alone . If you or a loved one are experiencing a mental health crisis, you can text or call 988 at any time. Together, we can break the stigma surrounding mental health and let our loved ones know that there is help available.
Prepare Now Before a Storm HitsWe are now in the midst of peak hurricane season—and I want to be sure that you and your loved ones are ready for inclement weather and natural disasters. The first step is making a plan. You should create a list of important contacts, develop a meeting place, consider the needs of pets, children, and seniors, and update your family or business plan annually. Remember, disasters can strike at any time. Make sure you and your loved ones are ready—before it is too late. Check out my website for more tips on how to stay safe.
Reckless and Violent Political Rhetoric Has to StopIt is absolutely shocking that our nation has now witnessed TWO attempts on President Trump’s life. First and foremost, I am glad President Trump is safe and I truly admire his strength and resilience. I urge the Secret Service and this administration to direct adequate resources to ensure that President Trump is protected. My colleagues and I from both sides of the aisle are calling to end reckless and violent political rhetoric within our nation—it has to stop. Rest assured, we are fighting for answers and demanding transparency on these heinous attacks on President Trump.
Passport Renewal is Now Easier Than EverDid you know, the Department of State’s Online Passport Renewal system is now live? This 24/7 system will allow for an easy online renewal process at your convenience and from the comfort of your own home. Gone are the days of printing a paper application, writing a check, and physically mailing your application—passport renewal is now easier and more efficient than ever before. Check out the new online renewal system at Travel.State.Gov/renewonline .
ICYMI: Check Out My Recent Media
Sincerely,
Laurel M. Lee To learn more about my work, check out my website and subscribe to my newsletter ! For more photos and videos, make sure to follow me on social media:
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Senator Rick Scott September 21, 2024
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Dear Fellow Floridian, We know that Florida has the best law enforcement in the world, but as I travel across our state, I still hear from parents every week who tell me they are terrified about the safety of their kids. They aren’t worried about our law enforcement not showing up. They are terrified that the growing dangers around our country will soon become too much for our brave officers and deputies to handle. It’s a scary thing to think about, but these parents aren’t wrong to be concerned. The data is clear: under the failed, soft-on-crime policies of the Biden-Harris administration, violent crime is up all across America, and our nation is a more dangerous place today than it was under President Trump. Democrats have fought to defund the police, allowed millions of potentially dangerous individuals and tons of deadly drugs to come across our border, and stood by in silence as terrorist sympathizers took over college campuses. These failures have consequences, and the American people know Vice President Harris and her friends in the media are lying when they falsely claim that violent crime is down. Recently released DOJ data shows that when President Trump was in office, violent crime fell by 15 percent and has since soared by 55 percent under the Biden-Harris administration. What’s scary is that violent crime is playing out all over the country, even impacting former President Trump, who has now been faced with two assassination attempts. But it doesn’t have to be this way! Thankfully, in Florida, we have law enforcement that shows up and holds criminals accountable even when the federal government fails. We saw that happen recently when the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office stepped up and filed criminal charges under state law against thugs caught smuggling Chinese and Ecuadorian nationals into the Keys after the Biden-Harris appointed U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida declined to file human trafficking charges against these alleged criminals. It’s unacceptable, and that’s why I’m demanding Attorney General Merrick Garland and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas answer to the people of Florida about this failure. While it’s good to know we have law enforcement in the Sunshine State that still fights every day to hold bad guys accountable and protect our families, I expect our federal government to do the same. The fact of the matter is Democrats have left our men and women in uniform, and the communities they protect behind, and we can’t let them get away with it. I will never stop fighting to support our law enforcement, ensure the federal government holds bad guys accountable and make sure local law enforcement has the tools and resources to keep you safe. Read more HERE. Sincerely,
Rick Scott United States Senator
As Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro continues his effort to steal a third Venezuelan presidential election, Senator Rick Scott was joined by Senator Marco Rubio in announcing the introduction of his Securing Timely Opportunities for Payment and Maximizing Awards for Detaining Unlawful Regime Officials (STOP MADURO) Act . This legislation would increase the maximum reward amount from $15 million to a maximum of $100 million for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Nicolás Maduro. The reward would be paid out by the federal government using seized assets already being withheld from Maduro, officials of the Maduro regime and their co-conspirators, not taxpayer funds. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in South Florida and its federal law enforcement partners who have brought dozens of criminal charges against high-level regime officials, asset seizures total approximately $450 million dollars. Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart and Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz are leading the companion bipartisan legislation in the House of Representatives which is cosponsored by Representatives Carlos A. Giménez (FL-28), Jenniffer González-Colón (PR-At Large), María Elvira Salazar (FL-27), Mike Waltz (FL-06), Chris Smith (NJ-04) and Darren Soto (FL-09). Senator Rick Scott said, “The time has come for Venezuela to be liberated from the illegitimate regime of dictator Nicolás Maduro. For years, I have urged the Biden-Harris administration to put the full weight of the federal government to put an end to the Maduro regime, but it has refused and continued its failed appeasement that has only enriched and emboldened Maduro and his puppet masters in Cuba at the expense of the Venezuelan people. In 2020, the Trump administration did the right thing by offering a reward of up to $15 million, but it’s time to up the ante. My STOP MADURO Act will increase the maximum reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Maduro to $100 million, using seized assets instead of U.S. taxpayer money to bring an end to the tyranny caused by this narcoterrorist. The Venezuelan people overwhelmingly voted for a new day of freedom and democracy on July 28 when they elected Edmundo González in an effort led by opposition leader María Corina Machado. It’s clear Maduro will not step down on his own, and I urge my colleagues to support this bill to rid Venezuela and the world of Maduro’s oppression and make way for President-elect González to bring democracy, freedom and opportunity back to Venezuela.”
Read more HERE . Lea más en español AQUÍ. In the wake of a second assassination attempt on President Donald Trump in just 65 days, Senator Rick Scott is leading 13 of his colleagues to introduce the Protect Our Presidents Act , which will enhance the U.S. Secret Service (USSS) protection for presidential nominees to the same level currently provided to a sitting U.S. president. Joining Senator Scott are Senators Roger Marshall, Jim Risch, James Lankford, Marco Rubio, Josh Hawley, Ted Budd, Mike Crapo, Tim Scott, John Barrasso, Cynthia Lummis, Ted Cruz, Mike Braun and John Cornyn. Senator Rick Scott said, “Over the course of just 65 days, two deranged individuals have tried to kill President Donald Trump, and one was able to shoot him in the head. It is unthinkable that this could happen in America today, and it demands the immediate action of Congress. Today, I am leading 12 of my Republican colleagues to introduce the Protect Our Presidents Act which mandates that the USSS provide the same level of protective services to presidential nominees that it affords to sitting presidents. President Trump has great officers and agents working around the clock to keep him safe, but it’s clear that the vile rhetoric on the left toward President Trump has made him a target and more resources are required to ensure the safety of him and his family. I urge Senate Democrats to join Republicans to quickly pass this bill that will support the protection of President Trump and all future presidential nominees.” Read more HERE . Sen. Rick Scott to Biden & Sec. Mayorkas: Prioritize Safety Ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Senators Rick Scott and Marco Rubio sent a letter to President Joe Biden and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, urging the administration to ensure all 11 U.S. cities hosting World Cup matches, including Miami, and those serving as base camps for national teams, have the planning, resources and information they need to keep families, tourists and players safe. As FBI Director Wray highlighted to Congress in June 2024, the United States faces an all-time high-threat environment, and with the country looking forward to 2026, Senators Scott and Rubio are hopeful that by highlighting their concerns now, the United States, including Florida, will be better prepared to host the World Cup. Joining Senators Scott and Rubio on the letter are Representatives María Elvira Salazar, Jared Moskowitz, Aaron Bean, Mario Diaz-Balart, Michael Waltz, Carlos Giménez and Scott Franklin. Read more HERE. Senator Rick Scott joined Western Hemisphere Subcommittee Chairwoman, Representative María Elvira Salazar, along with Senator Bill Cassidy and Representatives Carlos A. Giménez, Mario Díaz-Balart, Mike Waltz, Jenniffer González-Colón and Keith Self to issue the following statement in response to Honduran President Xiomara Castro de Zelaya’s decision to revoke the longstanding extradition treaty between the United States and Honduras. The members wrote, “We are deeply concerned by the recent decision by Honduran President Xiomara Castro to terminate the U.S.-Honduras extradition treaty which has been an important tool in combatting the criminal mafias and human traffickers which operate in Honduras. This reckless decision by President Castro places in jeopardy the future of U.S.-Honduran military and law enforcement cooperation. The economic wellbeing and security of Honduras and its citizens is intimately linked to the United States. We believe that this decision undermines our shared priorities and jeopardizes our relationship.” Read more HERE. Lea más en español AQUÍ. Sen. Rick Scott Celebrates Florida’s Hispanic Communities During Hispanic Heritage Month In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Senator Rick Scott released a video celebrating the contributions of the Hispanic community that have shaped Florida’s history and helped to make the Sunshine State an incredible melting pot and the best place in the nation to live, work and raise a family. Florida is home to thousands of Hispanic-owned businesses that contribute to the Sunshine State’s thriving economy. Senator Rick Scott said, “This Hispanic Heritage Month, we recognize the history, culture and contributions of the Hispanic community and its leaders across our great state. Today, I want to recognize our diverse communities, from our freedom-loving Cuban, Venezuelan and Nicaraguan communities to our wonderful Puerto Rican friends and Brazilian, Colombian, and Ecuadorian neighbors. Florida’s rich Hispanic communities make our state the greatest melting pot in the world, have shaped our history and helped make the Sunshine State the best place to live, work and raise a family. As your United States Senator, I’m honored to be your partner in Washington as we continue building on our tremendous success. ¡Espero que todos tengan un feliz mes de la Herencia Hispana!” Read more HERE. Lea más en español AQUÍ. Senators Rick Scott and Marco Rubio sent a letter to FAA Administrator Michael Whitaker requesting clarity on the current approach to issuing launch and reentry licenses following the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) approval process delays, which are slowing the innovation and development of space missions. The FAA’s Office of Commercial Space Transportation must ensure its regulatory framework keeps pace with the rapidly evolving commercial space industry to ensure that regulatory restrictions do not inhibit the United States’ leadership in the face of global competition from China and Russia. The senators write, “As near-peer competitors continue to make significant strides in their space capabilities, in both developing new vehicles and vast new infrastructure, it is more crucial than ever that our regulatory processes enable commercial and government stakeholders to ensure the United States continues to lead the way.” Read more HERE . IN CASE YOU MISSED IT… Democrats Block Sen. Rick Scott’s IVF Bill Senator Rick Scott spoke on the Senate floor requesting immediate passage of his bill, the Increasing Value for Families (IVF) with HSAs Act . Senate Democrats blocked its passage. This bill would help individuals and families better plan and pay for medical expenses, like in vitro fertilization (IVF), by decoupling Health Savings Accounts (HSA) from high-deductible health plans, and doubling the current contribution limits on HSAs from $4,300 to $8,600 for individuals and $8,550 to $17,100 for families. The IVF with HSAs Act is being led by Representative Kat Cammack in the House of Representatives. Senator Rick Scott said, “I have been called many names, some nice and some not so nice over the years – Governor, Senator, husband, dad… but my favorite is grandpa to my seven beautiful grandkids. Right now, my daughter is using in vitro fertilization, or IVF, to grow her family. I support IVF 100%, and the truth about IVF is that it is one of the few unifying policies almost all Democrats and Republicans agree with. It’s a wonderful thing that helps bring beautiful babies into the world and I’m fighting to make it more accessible and affordable for millions of Americans with my IVF with HSAs Act to expand access to IVF by doubling the contribution limits of Health Savings Accounts, or HSAs, and expanding eligibility to utilize them by decoupling them from traditional high-deductible health plans. The real world impact of my bill is that millions of Americans will be able to save more money in tax free accounts to pay for medical expenses like IVF. If the Democrats and the Senate are serious about ensuring opportunities for families, we can start today by allowing this good bill to pass. Unfortunately, Democrats refused to do so today. I’ll keep fighting to get it passed the Senate, then sent to the House where I’m confident it will pass and we can send it to the President’s desk for signature.” Read more HERE. Senator Rick Scott and Senator Elizabeth Warren, ranking member and chair of the Senate Armed Service Subcommittee on Personnel, led their colleagues, Senators Marco Rubio, Chris Murphy, Joni Ernst and Mike Rounds, in writing to the Department of Defense (DoD) for an update on its pharmaceutical acquisition strategy following the decision in Acetris Health, LLC v. United States (Acetris), which loosened requirements on federal agencies to preference American-made products in purchasing decisions. The lawmakers raised concerns about the decision’s potential to increase DoD’s reliance on foreign pharmaceuticals. Additionally, Senator Scott is fighting to pass his Accelerating Movement of Essential Rx Items to Create Access to National Drug Resources for US Government Services Act (AMERICAN DRUGS Act) to create a strong incentive for companies to invest in domestic pharmaceutical production; address the ongoing and prevent future drug shortages; and shift away from reliance on Communist China. Currently, about 90% of drugs dispensed at U.S. pharmacies are generic drugs that overwhelmingly come from Communist China and India. The AMERICAN DRUGS Act seeks to fix this problem by leveraging the buying power of the federal government and requiring federal health programs to purchase American-manufactured generic drugs, if there are two or more American manufacturers of a generic drug. Read more HERE. Senator Rick Scott joined Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. and Senator Tommy Tuberville in calling for additional protective resources for President Donald Trump’s security detail following the second assassination attempt against President Trump in West Palm Beach, Florida on September 15th. In the letter to acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe, Senator Scott and his colleagues are demanding the same level of protection as President Biden and Vice President Harris, and also asking for answers as to why the Secret Service has failed to allocate sufficient resources to President Trump’s security detail. This is the second failed attempt on President Trump’s life over the past two months. To date, the Secret Service has failed to address the security failures that led to the tragic events in Butler County, PA on July 13th, nor has anyone been fired for the top-down mistakes that were made. Senators Scott, Marshall and Tuberville are joined by Senators James Risch, Mike Lee, Marco Rubio, Bill Cassidy, M.D. and Bill Hagerty. Read more HERE. Ahead of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly voting on a disgusting and flagrant resolution submitted by the Palestinian Mission to the UN targeting the Jewish State of Israel and its rightful control over its historic homeland, Senator Rick Scott joined Senator Marco Rubio and their colleagues in releasing a joint statement regarding this proposal. The senators wrote, “This proposal introduced by the Palestinian delegation, ahead of the United Nations’ General Assembly, is an absolute disgrace that rewards terrorism. It is a clear insult to the Jewish people and anyone who understands history. As we approach the one-year anniversary of the barbaric terrorist attack by Hamas and affiliated Palestinian terrorist groups against innocent Israeli civilians, which involved murder, mutilation, and sexual violence, the international community must unequivocally unite against this evil, one-sided effort to delegitimize Israel. Instead of proposing biased and counter-productive initiatives, which will do nothing to advance a lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians, the international community must focus its energy and resources on ensuring Hamas and other terrorist groups are completely destroyed. We must remain firm to ensure every single hostage held by these terrorists is safely returned to their loved ones.” Read more HERE . Sen. Rick Scott Hosts Press Conference on Violent Crime Rise Under Biden-Harris Admin Senator Rick Scott hosted a press conference with fellow Republican senators on the dangerous consequences of the Biden-Harris administration’s soft-on-crime policies and border crisis, which have caused violent crime to rise across the United States. While the Biden-Harris administration continues to falsely claim that crime is down, the National Crime Victimization Survey , released by the Department of Justice last Thursday, shows violent crime has actually increased. Violent crime — including rape, robbery and aggravated assault — is up from 5.6 incidents per 1,000 people in 2020 to 8.7 incidents per 1,000 people in 2023. More than 1 in every 44 people reported being the victim of a violent crime in 2023. Robberies rose 52.9% between 2021-2023 under Biden and Harris. Joining Senator Scott at the press conference were Senators John Barrasso, Ron Johnson and Eric Schmitt. Senator Rick Scott said, “The data is clear: under the failed, soft-on-crime policies of the Biden-Harris administration, violent crime is up all across America and our nation is a more dangerous place. Democrats have campaigned on defunding police, allowed millions of potentially dangerous individuals and tons of deadly drugs to come across our border, and stood by in silence as terrorist sympathizers took over college campuses. These failures have consequences and the American people know Vice President Harris and her friends in the media are lying when they falsely claim that violent crime is down. Recently released DOJ data shows when President Trump was in office, violent crime fell by 15 percent and has since soared by 55 percent under the Biden-Harris administration. I talk to parents every week who tell me they are terrified about the safety of their kids. We have the best law enforcement in the nation working hard every day and putting their lives at risk to keep our communities safe. If Democrats care about our country, they will end their soft-on-crime agenda, shut down the border and stand with America’s law enforcement to keep families safe.” Read more HERE. Senator Rick Scott joined Senator Rand Paul and Congresswoman Kat Cammack to introduce the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act to help put power back in the people’s hands instead of the administrative state. Cosponsors in the Senate include U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn, Steve Daines, Mike Lee, Marco Rubio and Eric Schmitt. Senator Rick Scott said, “After nearly four years of the Biden-Harris administration’s gross expansion of the bureaucracy of the federal government and forcing more burdensome regulations on hardworking families, it is time to cut the red tape and Make Washington Work for the American people. I am proud to stand with Senator Rand Paul to hold Washington accountable, get big government out of the way and put some fiscal sense back into Congress.” Read more HERE. Following recent reports from South Florida that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has refused to pursue federal criminal charges against individuals engaged in a human trafficking operation involving Ecuadorian and Chinese nationals smuggled into the Florida Keys, Senator Rick Scott led his colleagues in a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, demanding answers. According to these reports, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida declined to file federal criminal charges against the human traffickers detained in this case for these clear violations of federal law. Joining Senator Scott on the letter are Senator Marco Rubio and Representatives Carlos Giménez, María Elvira Salazar and Mario Díaz-Balart. Read more HERE. Senator Rick Scott joined House of Representatives’ Western Hemisphere Subcommittee Chairwoman María Elvira Salazar, along with Representatives Carlos A. Giménez, Rich McCormick and Chris Smith, in a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken urging him to cancel or revoke the visas of Brazilian Supreme Court justices who used their positions to silence free speech. For the last several months, several justices on the Brazilian Supreme Court led by Justice Alexandre de Moraes have led an assault against X (formerly Twitter) and several conservative politicians, culminating in a nationwide ban of the network and all Brazilian citizens from using it. This is a direct violation of the principle of freedom of speech, and the United States government must not reward those public officials responsible with the ability to enjoy our freedoms here. On August 30, 2024, Brazilian Supreme Court justice Alexandre de Moraes ended his months-long legal siege against American social network X by banning it from Brazil entirely, leaving millions of Brazilians without access to the app. He also imposed a fine of up to R$50,000 or nearly $9,000 a day for accessing the app through a VPN. Not long after, the Brazilian government took its war to Elon Musk himself, freezing the accounts of Starlink, a company owned by Musk, in order to coerce him into complying with their unreasonable legal requirements. The legislators wrote, “Justice de Moraes has a well-documented history of curbing free speech, particularly against individuals and groups with conservative political views. His latest actions represent a culmination of a broader pattern of judicial overreach. We respectfully urge you to deny any application for U.S. visas or admission to the United States, including revoking any existing visas, for Justice Alexandre de Moraes and the other members of the Brazilian Supreme Court complicit in these undemocratic practices.” Read more HERE. Sen. Rick Scott Demands Answers from Biden-Harris Admin on Repeated Downward Job Revisions Senator Rick Scott sent a letter to Erika L. McEntarfer, Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), demanding answers on the Biden-Harris administration’s failed economic policies that have resulted in repeated downward revisions in job growth reporting. In the letter, Senator Scott references the BLS’ significant data revisions that show an astonishing 810,000 fewer jobs than originally reported by the Biden-Harris administration. Furthermore, Senator Scott points out that the pattern of unreliable data if inflated jobs numbers, which are quietly revised, is further evidence of the unfortunate downturn the U.S. economy has taken under this administration causing harm on the American people. Senator Rick Scott writes, “I write to you today regarding serious concerns about the employment data your agency publishes on behalf of the American people. As you know, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recently released significant data revisions for nonfarm payroll jobs created between April 2023 and March 2024, revising its figures downward by an astonishing 810,000 fewer jobs.” Senator Scott continued, “So far, job gains have been revised downward for five of six months in 2024 for a total of 340,000 fewer jobs created than initially reported. Similarly, job gains were revised downward for 11 of 12 months in 2023, by a monthly average of 30,000 fewer jobs, totaling 360,000 fewer jobs than initially reported last year. These substantial and continual reporting errors certainly do not inspire confidence.” Read more HERE. Lea más en español AQUÍ.
Fox News: Rick Scott leads effort to up Secret Service protections after 2nd assassination attempt on Trump Miami Herald: A U.S. Senate bill will raise bounty for leads on Venezuela’s Maduro to $100 million Local 10 News: Senate bill sets $100 million reward for arrest, conviction of Nicolás Maduro WFLA: Sen. Scott’s IVF Bill Fails But He Vows To Keep Fighting To Help Families Florida’s Voice: Sen. Rick Scott spearheads bill increasing presidential nominees’ security detail The Floridian: Scott to Introduce the Protect Our Presidents Act, Increasing Security for Trump The Floridian: ‘Grandpa’ Scott Urges Senate to Immediately Pass his IVF Bill The Floridian: $100 Million Reward to be Given for Info Leading to Maduro’s Arrest if New Bipartisan Bill Passes The Floridian: Scott, Rubio, and Colleagues Condemn Palestinian UN Resolution Targeting Israel
Senator Scott’s Team in Orlando
This week, Senator Rick Scott’s team attended the Medal of Honor Plaque Presentation ceremony at the Lake Baldwin VA Clinic for Sergeant First Class Alwyn Cashe’s Family.
Senator Scott’s team also attended the Naples Take a Soldier Fishing event to recognize and thank soldiers for their service.
Senator Scott’s Team in Orlando
Additionally, Senator Scott’s team met with representatives from Comando con Venezuela to share the Senator’s ongoing efforts to stand with the people of Venezuela.
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Congresswoman Laurel Lee September 18, 2024
We Will Never Forget23 years ago, our nation was forever changed. On the morning of September 11, 2001, our country endured an unimaginable tragedy that claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 innocent Americans. We will never forget the men and women who lost their lives on that fateful day. To the families of the victims, survivors, and heroic first responders—we will forever honor your loved ones, continue to fight back against hatred, and ensure that nothing like this can happen again. May we continue to demonstrate strength, resilience, and unity as a nation—today and every day.
Fighting to Combat Online Child ExploitationBefore becoming a Member of Congress, I spent much of my career fighting against the trafficking and exploitation of children as a prosecutor and a judge. Now, I am proud to be able to champion that work on a national level. This week, my colleagues and I were joined by Tim Tebow to introduce our bipartisan, bicameral bill, the Renewed Hope Act to help combat rising child exploitation online. The circulation of child sex abuse material, or CSAM, is increasing on online platforms at alarming rates. We have a duty to provide the men and women investigating and prosecuting these crimes with the tools and resources they need. The Renewed Hope Act will better protect and identify these children, rescue survivors, and put an end to this terrible crime. To learn more about the Renewed Hope Act, click here . To learn more about my work to combat trafficking and exploitation and keep our community safe, click here .
Rep. Laurel Lee with Tim Tebow, Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Senator Cornyn, and Senator Blumenthal. Click Here to Watch My Remarks About the Renewed Hope Act A Champion for Modern Cancer Care
I am proud to be a champion for Moffitt and will continue to support policies that promote innovation in cancer research and related healthcare fields. Protecting the Integrity of our Elections NationwideOne of Congress’s jobs to provide oversight and ensure transparency within our nation’s elections. This week, my colleagues and I on the House Administration Committee heard testimony from various state election officials, including Florida’s very own Secretary of State Cord Byrd, on the ways that our election officials are bolstering election security and protecting the integrity of the ballot box across the nation. In Congress, we are working to reinforce voter confidence, strengthen our elections, and ensure every state has the tools they need to hold free and fair elections.
Watch My Full Question Series Here Assemble Your Disaster Prep Kit TodaySeptember is peak hurricane season and Florida Preparedness Month. The first step to ensuring you and your loved ones are ready for inclement weather is making a plan. You should create a list of important contacts, develop a meeting place, consider the needs of pets, children, and seniors, and update your families’ or businesses’ plan annually. Remember, disasters can strike at any time. Make sure you and your loved ones are ready—before it is too late. Check out my website for more tips on how to stay safe.
Click Here for Disaster Prep Resources ICYMI: Check Out My Recent Interviews
Sincerely, To learn more about my work, check out my website and subscribe to my newsletter ! For more photos and videos, make sure to follow me on social media:
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This week, I had the distinct honor of being awarded Moffitt Cancer Center’s Moffitt Momentum Award. This award recognizes outstanding public servants who advocate for Florida citizens battling cancer. Florida’s 15th District is home to the Moffitt Cancer Center, with several locations around the Tampa Bay Area. 
Senator Rick Scott September 18, 2024
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Democrats Block Sen. Rick Scott’s IVF Bill Senator Rick Scott spoke on the Senate floor requesting immediate passage of his bill, the Increasing Value for Families (IVF) with HSAs Act . Senate Democrats blocked its passage. This bill would help individuals and families better plan and pay for medical expenses, like in vitro fertilization (IVF), by decoupling Health Savings Accounts (HSA) from high-deductible health plans, and doubling the current contribution limits on HSAs from $4,300 to $8,600 for individuals and $8,550 to $17,100 for families. The IVF with HSAs Act is being led by Representative Kat Cammack in the House of Representatives. Senator Rick Scott said, “I have been called many names, some nice and some not so nice over the years – Governor, Senator, husband, dad… but my favorite is grandpa to my seven beautiful grandkids. Right now, my daughter is using in vitro fertilization, or IVF, to grow her family. I support IVF 100%, and the truth about IVF is that it is one of the few unifying policies almost all Democrats and Republicans agree with. It’s a wonderful thing that helps bring beautiful babies into the world and I’m fighting to make it more accessible and affordable for millions of Americans with my IVF with HSAs Act to expand access to IVF by doubling the contribution limits of Health Savings Accounts, or HSAs, and expanding eligibility to utilize them by decoupling them from traditional high-deductible health plans. The real world impact of my bill is that millions of Americans will be able to save more money in tax free accounts to pay for medical expenses like IVF. If the Democrats and the Senate are serious about ensuring opportunities for families, we can start today by allowing this good bill to pass. Unfortunately, Democrats refused to do so today. I’ll keep fighting to get it passed the Senate, then sent to the House where I’m confident it will pass and we can send it to the President’s desk for signature.” See the full video of Senator Scott’s request for passage of his legislation HERE or below.
Sen. Rick Scott, Rep. Kat Cammack Lead Legislation to Expand HSAs, Support Families Using IVF Senator Rick Scott and Representative Kat Cammack introduced the Increasing Value for Families (IVF) with HSAs Act to help individuals and families better plan and pay for medical expenses, like in vitro fertilization (IVF), by decoupling Health Savings Accounts (HSA) from high-deductible health plans, and doubling the current contribution limits on HSAs from $4,300 to $8,600 for individuals and $8,550 to $17,100 for families. In a recent floor speech, Senator Scott discussed his work on this legislation, his full support of IVF and his youngest daughter’s current journey undergoing IVF treatments to grow her family. See more HERE . Senator Scott and Rep. Cammack are also leading a bicameral resolution expressing their full support of IVF. Senator Rick Scott said, “IVF is a wonderful thing that enables so many Americans to start and grow their families. For me and my family, the blessing of IVF is personal, as my youngest daughter is currently undergoing IVF treatments to grow her family. While IVF is a blessing that is widely available and overwhelmingly supported, its high cost remains a barrier for many families and that’s something that ought to change. Today, I’m proud to introduce the Increasing Value for Families (IVF) with HSAs Act to help support current and aspiring parents looking at IVF as a way to grow their family and be joined by Rep. Kat Cammack who will lead this effort in the House. Our proposal allows every individual and family to better plan and pay for medical expenses, such as IVF, by expanding eligibility for Health Savings Accounts and increasing the current contribution limits on those HSAs. This bill is commonsense and what American families expect out of Washington – solutions that make their lives easier and dreams possible. I urge all of our colleagues to join us in fighting to quickly pass this bill, help families plan for medical expenses, and hopefully expand their families and bring more beautiful children into the world.” Read more HERE . IN CASE YOU MISSED IT… Sen. Rick Scott Takes Action to Support Nationwide IVF Access In June, as Senate Democrats forced a vote on a partisan bill on in vitro fertilization (IVF) and continued to lie about Republican support of IVF and contraception, Senator Rick Scott took action in support of nationwide access to IVF. Senator Scott has been clear that he fully supports IVF, which is personal for him as his youngest daughter is currently undergoing IVF treatments to grow her family. Along with leading a bicameral resolution supporting IVF, Senator Scott recently announced during remarks on the Senate floor that he is drafting and will soon introduce legislation to help individuals and families better plan and pay for medical expenses, like IVF, by decoupling Health Savings Accounts (HSA) from high-deductible health plans, and increasing the current contribution limits on HSAs. Read more HERE . Sen. Rick Scott Delivers Remarks Supporting IVF, Announces Intentions to Expand HSAs In June, as the Senate considered the Democrats’ partisan bill on in vitro fertilization (IVF), Senator Rick Scott delivered remarks on the Senate floor making clear his total support for IVF, which his youngest daughter is currently using to grow her family, and highlighting his bicameral resolution supporting Americans who are starting and growing families through IVF. During his speech, Senator Scott also announced his work to draft legislation to help individuals and families better plan and pay for medical expenses, like IVF, by decoupling Health Savings Accounts (HSA) from high-deductible health plans, and increasing the current contribution limits on HSAs.
Sen. Rick Scott and Rep. Kat Cammack Introduce Resolution Supporting IVF Senator Rick Scott introduced a resolution in the U.S. Senate expressing support for Americans who are starting and growing families through in vitro fertilization (IVF). Representative Kat Cammack (FL-3) is leading the resolution in the House of Representatives. Senator Rick Scott said, “IVF is a wonderful thing that enables so many Americans struggling with infertility to have children and start a family. I have friends and family members who have used IVF and so do countless Floridians and Americans. While IVF remains available in all 50 states, I believe it is important for the Senate to make clear our unwavering support for current and aspiring parents using IVF to start and grow their families. I am proud to lead this resolution in the Senate and glad to have Representative Kat Cammack’s support in the House of Representatives.” Read more HERE . Senator Scott joined Senators Katie Britt and Ted Cruz, and all their Republican Senator colleagues, in a joint statement supporting continued nationwide access to in vitro fertilization. The full text of the statement can be found here and below: The senators wrote, “Senate Democrats have embraced a Summer of Scare Tactics—a partisan campaign of false fearmongering intended to mislead and confuse the American people. In vitro fertilization is legal and available in every state across our nation. We strongly support continued nationwide access to IVF, which has allowed millions of aspiring parents to start and grow their families.” Read more HERE .
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Congressman Daniel Webster September 16, 2024
The Webster WireListening to FloridiansDear Friends: On Sunday, President Trump was targeted in yet another assassination attempt while at his golf club in West Palm Beach. While I’m grateful that President Trump is safe and that authorities were able to apprehend the shooter, I have many questions about the would-be assassin’s motives, knowledge of Trump’s whereabouts, and his ability to get within 400 yards of President Trump. Congressional leaders have already spoken with the U.S. Secret Service about this assassination attempt – the first of many in coming days. I applaud Governor DeSantis for also launching an investigation within the State of Florida and look forward to further updates from the congressional task force I voted to establish as they seek answers from Secret Service and law enforcement on this and the Butler, PA assassination attempt. Violence has no place in our political discourse, and such acts only seek to divide us. I continue to pray for President Trump and his family, and thank God for his protection.
Standing Up to Communist China
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Constituent Corner
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The Ready Room – Representative Scott Franklin September 16, 2024
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Hello Friend, PROTECTING U.S. FARMLAND FROM COMMUNIST CHINA
From 2011 and 2021, Communist China’s ownership of U.S. farmland quintupled from 69,000 acres to over 380,000 acres across 27 states. Businesses with Chinese Communist Party ties have also purchased land close to military bases. This is a critical threat to both our food and national security. I cosponsored and voted for H.R. 9456, the Protecting American Agriculture from Foreign Adversaries Act, to bolster measures to track and prevent land purchase by foreign adversaries. It passed the House 269 – 149 on September 11 and awaits Senate action. Click here to learn more. MOBILE OFFICE HOURS: ARCADIA
Our office can help with a variety of federal agencies including Social Security, IRS, the VA and more. We are hosting Mobile Office Hours on Thursday, September 19th from 2PM – 4PM at the DeSoto County Board of County Commissioners. Click here to register for an appointment. FLAG REQUESTS
You may request to have a U.S. flag flown over the Capitol for a small fee. All purchases include a customized Test Your Knowledge #CivicsWithScott! The formal and enumerated powers of Congress are found in: A. Article II, Section 4 Last Week’s Question During which time period did the Supreme Court strike down the most federal laws? A. 1803 to 1857 Franklin In the News Here’s a way to help Florida citrus growers make a comeback – Tampa Bay Times Key Social Media Posts
Enjoyed talking with Moffitt Cancer Center leadership yesterday about research efforts and
Back-to-back natural disasters and greening have impacted Florida’s
Great visit with high school seniors from the Randy Roberts Foundation
Today, we remember the lives lost on 9/11 and honor the heroes who
Our office recently attended @seuniversity ’s ribbon cutting ceremony for the Pathways Life Skills House. The Pathways School of Excellence teaches essential life
It is an honor and privilege to represent you in Congress. Please take a moment to fill out my latest constituent survey here . Your feedback helps me better represent you. 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 |
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