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.

SUPPORTING FLORIDA CITRUS GROWERS

Outdated standards and excessive red tape are standing in the way of a Florida citrus recovery. Currently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires oranges used for not-from-concentrate pasteurized orange juice meet a brix standard of 10.5 percent, the metric measuring natural sugars in juice. However, disastrous major hurricane seasons and widespread citrus greening have changed the natural makeup of today’s crop, rendering this regulation obsolete. To increase flexibility for the citrus industry, I reintroduced my bipartisan bill, the Defending Domestic Orange Juice Production Act, which allows the FDA to revise the brix value from 10.5 down to 10. This minor adjustment throws growers a lifeline, allowing more domestic product to come to market without sacrificing quality for consumers. It also reduces reliance on foreign fruit to meet demand. Click here to learn more.

KEEPING FENTANYL OFF OUR STREETS

The failed border policies of the last four years allowed cartels to traffic unprecedented amounts of fentanyl into our country, destroying families and devastating communities. Tragically, few are as affected as Florida, which leads the nation in fentanyl seizures. According to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, in the last year alone, his department executed multiple major fentanyl busts and confiscated enough fentanyl to kill millions. We must ensure our law enforcement have needed authority to continue taking down traffickers and protect our communities. That’s why I cosponsored and voted for the HALT Fentanyl Act, which permanently classifies fentanyl related substances as Schedule I drugs. Click here to learn more.

INTERESTED IN ATTENDING A U.S. SERVICE ACADEMY?

Attention all parents of 8-11th grade students interested in attending a U.S. Service Academy: Our office is hosting a Service Academy Day on February 22nd at Polk State College’s Center for Public Safety Auditorium from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. This is a great opportunity to learn about the application process, academy requirements and congressional nominations from Service Academy representatives. Liaisons from each of the Academies will be available.

Test Your Knowledge #CivicsWithScott!

Which of the following is NOT a specified power of Congress?

A. Establishing a uniform rule of naturalization
B. Regulating foreign commerce
C. Punishing piracy on the high seas
D. None of the above

Last Week's Question

Which Amendment in the Constitution set the voting age to 18 years of age or older?

A. Amendment 19
B. Amendment 26 - Correct answer
C. Amendment 15
D. Amendment 24

It's 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
Member of Congress