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Dear Neighbor,
Last week brought meaningful progress on several key fronts — from enhancing public and patient safety to advocating for Veterans, protecting consumers, and supporting student-athletes. We’re delivering real results for the American people — and we’re just getting started. Keep reading to learn more about the work I’m doing on your behalf.
Unleashing Energy Independence: Keeping our energy supply strong isn’t just about saving money — it’s about protecting our country. When we produce energy here at home we stay independent and strong on the global stage. The regulatory reforms passed as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and that we have pushed through the House Energy and Commerce Committee are a step in the right direction as we work to achieve this goal.
Fighting for Our Nation’s Heroes: More than 340 Members of Congress have now co-sponsored my Major Richard Star Act. It is bipartisan, widely endorsed, and morally necessary. Over 54,000 combat-wounded veterans are being denied their full retirement pay. My bill will restore up to $1,200 per month in retirement pay to these combat-wounded Veterans. They’ve earned and are unjustly denied these benefits.
On Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, we remember the nearly 1.8 million Americans who served and the over 36,000 who gave their lives in defense of freedom during the Korean War. Often called “The Forgotten War,” their sacrifice will never be forgotten. Thank you to all who served. We honor you, we remember you, and we are forever grateful.
Securing Our Border: The recent horrific attack on a Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) officer is a direct result of open-border policies that let criminal illegal aliens into our country. We must restore law and order — and that starts with securing our border. I am praying for a full recovery for this brave CBP officer.
Protecting Consumers, Children, and Homeowners: Last week, I had a productive meeting with Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Acting Chair Peter Feldman to discuss the heartbreaking issue of child deaths in above-ground pools. We explored actionable steps to help prevent these tragedies and protect our children. Recently, five million above-ground pools have been recalled due to serious safety concerns tied to multiple child fatalities. The three Chinese-based companies involved are providing free repair kits to all affected consumers. Learn more about the recall and how to request a repair kit by visiting the CPSC website.
Also, in recent years, Tampa Bay has seen firsthand how dangerous sinkholes can be for our neighborhoods. To protect public safety and better inform homeowners, we must understand their causes and risks. That’s why my colleague and I have authored the Sinkhole Mapping Act, which passed the House recently. This legislation requires a study of sinkhole activity to develop detailed geological maps identifying the most at-risk areas. Click here to learn more about our efforts.
Improving Patient Outcomes: During last week’s Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee hearing, we examined serious concerns within the U.S. Organ Procurement and Transplant System, including alarming patient safety failures highlighted in a recent Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) report. Transparency and accountability are essential to improving the system and rebuilding public trust. We remain committed to open dialogue and strong oversight to ensure patient protections are in place and upheld.
Also, millions of Americans use OTC medications every day — from pain relievers to allergy meds to sunscreen. That’s why reauthorizing the Over-the-Counter Monograph User Fee Act (OMUFA) is essential. It keeps these products safe, up-to-date, and innovative — all without taxpayer dollars. In last week’s Energy and Commerce mark up we advanced legislation to reauthorize this critical program. Let’s keep OTC medications safe, accessible, and science-based.
Supporting Students: During last week’s Energy & Commerce Committee markup, we advanced my SCORE Act—legislation that delivers the stability, clarity, and transparency that stakeholders have long called for. I look forward to its final passage, as it strikes a critical balance: empowering student-athletes while preserving the core educational mission of our colleges and universities. Click here to listen to me discuss the bill during last week's markup.
President Trump also issued an Executive Order (EO) on this issue last week that complements our legislative efforts. His EO provides guidance on scholarship offerings to help ensure that women’s and non-revenue-generating sports are not only preserved but potentially expanded. It also bans third-party, pay-for-play collectives that have been exploiting student-athletes. In addition, the EO seeks to provide legal protections to address antitrust concerns while the SCORE Act works its way through the congressional process.
Delivering on Our Promises: As promised, we’ve delivered historic wins for all Americans with the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act — and we’re just getting started. We’ll keep building on this momentum for even more progress!
Community Connection
I am fortunate to have a team of dedicated staff who regularly attend events throughout our community, especially when I am required to be in Washington, DC. Through their collective efforts, I am better able to stay connected to the issues that matter most to my constituents. As part of my commitment to developing a better understanding of the issues facing constituents in Citrus, Hernando and Pasco counties, members of my team attended several events last week. Here are a few highlights.
My team attended the Hernando County Board of County Commissioner's meeting to participate in the annual Purple Heart Day Proclamation Ceremony.
My team also celebrated the Tunnels to Towers home dedications for L-R Pvt. Charlie Figueroa, MSgt. Shawn Mullins, and SPC Steven Maxwell at the Do Good Village in Land O' Lakes.
Additionally, my team commemorated the local Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 11-1’s 75th Anniversary.
Constituent Corner
My team recently received this message from a constituent after providing her with local resources to help Veterans and their families.
Good morning again, Angel. I forgot to mention one thing. I am a veteran from the Air Force and my late husband was a retiree from the army. Thank you for the information especially regarding Veterans! The Veterans information is so huge and giant. They don’t give out a lot of local assistant information for Veterans. So I wanted to give a big shout out to that wonderful information for Veterans.
This is just one example of the work we do each day. Constituent services are a critical element of our congressional office. The federal government is a massive operation, and my office is available if you ever need assistance in navigating the bureaucracy or cutting through red tape. We are here to serve you! |
