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.
Opposing Biden’s Negotiations With Iran
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As part of its ill-conceived nuclear negotiations with Iran, the Biden administration is reportedly considering removing Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) from the State Department’s Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) list. This would be a dangerous decision for our country and our allies like Israel in the Middle East.
The IRGC is one of the most dangerous terrorist groups in the world today. Through its sponsorship of terrorism, it is responsible for the deaths of countless innocent people and at least 600 U.S. troops. It has consistently sought the destruction of our partners and allies in the region, most notably Israel, and has been an obstacle to peace in the Middle East for decades.
That’s why I led a letter joined by 86 of my House colleagues, urging Secretary of State Antony Blinken to keep the IRGC on the designated FTO list. Removing this designation would remove sanctions against the IRGC and provide the group with more resources to kill innocent people and threaten Israel and our allies. Read the full letter here .
On Friday, I joined Fox & Friend’s First to discuss the threat posed by Iran and the IRGC. Watch my full interview here .
Discussing the Russian Invasion of Ukraine
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Last week, I joined Fox News’ Jon Scott to discuss the ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Ukrainians have done an incredible job defending their country against difficult odds. In response, Russia has engaged in increasingly brutal tactics, targeting civilians, and wreaking indiscriminate destruction on their country. I raised concerns that Russian President Vladimir Putin could use chemical or biological weapons in an effort to regain momentum in Ukraine. His actions, such as his purported use of hypersonic missiles, reveal his willingness to use anything at his disposal when backed into a corner. The U.S. must continue to supply Ukraine with Stinger missiles and other sophisticated air defense systems so they can continue to defend their country. The Biden administration must lead proactively to counter Russian aggression. To watch my full interview, click here .
Pre-register for the Congressional App Challenge
Franklin & 2021 Congressional App Challenge Winner, Varun Patel
Are you a middle or high school student with a great app idea? I’m pleased to announce that registration for the 2022 Congressional App Challenge is now open. The mission of the Challenge is to inspire, include, and innovate the efforts around STEM, coding, and computer science education. This nationwide effort allows students to compete alongside other peers by creating an app for desktop/PC, web, tablet, mobile, raspberry Pi, or other devices. The Challenge is open to all middle and high school students in the 15th Congressional District of Florida. Pre-register by clicking here .
Constituent Corner
Chandrash, a veteran who lives in Clermont, was experiencing long delays and having trouble setting up an appointment at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center. After multiple attempts to set up an appointment failed, he reached out to our office for assistance. We contacted the Department of Veteran Affairs and successfully helped him schedule appointments. If you need help with a federal agency, please call my Lakeland office at (863) 644-8215 or visit my website franklin.house.gov .
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,
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C. Scott Franklin
Member of Congress