|
Dear Neighbor,
As your representative, I remain dedicated to advancing policies that strengthen our community, protect our families, and ensure a brighter future for all. From supporting life-saving healthcare programs and safeguarding senior access to crucial lab testing, to boosting our energy security and preserving our natural resources, my team and I are working tirelessly to deliver results that matter. I’m also committed to staying connected to you—listening, learning, and partnering with local leaders to address the issues that impact our daily lives. Continue reading to learn more about my efforts on your behalf.
Welcoming the Leader of the Eastern Orthodox Church: It was an immense blessing and a singular honor to welcome His All-Holiness Bartholomew Archbishop of Constantinople, New Rome, and Ecumenical Patriarch. His All Holiness is the revered spiritual leader of 300,000,000 million Orthodox Christians worldwide and is the 273rd successor of the founder of the Eastern Orthodox Church, St. Andrew the Apostle. I am grateful that Speaker Mike Johnson hosted His All Holiness for a luncheon in the U.S. Capitol last week which underscores the importance of The Ecumenical Patriarch’s relevance as a spiritual leader. This visit was not only a moment of profound spiritual significance but also a powerful testament to the enduring bonds of faith, tradition, and unity that transcend borders. We were truly inspired by His All-Holiness’s wisdom, humility, and unwavering commitment to peace and interfaith dialogue. May his visit strengthen the ties that bind us and illuminate the path toward greater understanding and harmony across our communities. I also spoke on the House Floor regarding His All-Holiness’s visit. To listen to the remarks, click here.
Honoring the Life and Legacy of Charlie Kirk: Last week, I had the profound honor of participating in a Prayer Vigil at the Capitol to celebrate and reflect on the life and legacy of Charlie Kirk. Charlie was a bold voice for truth, conviction, and faith in the public square. His unwavering commitment to our nation's founding principles and his fearless advocacy for the next generation will leave an enduring mark on hearts and minds across this country. As we gathered in prayer, we were reminded not only of Charlie’s impact but also of our shared responsibility—to speak up with courage, to lead with purpose, and to bring our faith into the center of our national conversation. His legacy lives on in each of us who choose to stand for what is right, even when it is not easy.
Helping Patients: I’m actively working to reauthorize two vital national programs that provide life-saving treatments for patients battling leukemia, lymphoma, sickle cell anemia, and other serious diseases. These programs offer hope to thousands of families each year. Read more about this important bipartisan effort here.
Strong clinical laboratories are essential—not only for quality healthcare but also for helping seniors live healthy, independent lives. That’s why my colleagues and I are working across the aisle to protect seniors’ access to laboratory testing. Learn more about these efforts here.
I was honored to receive the Hero Award from the Breakthrough T1D Children’s Congress. As Co-Chair of the Diabetes Congressional Caucus, I remain committed to fighting for greater access to care and advancing federal support for research and better treatments for those living with diabetes.
Additionally, it was a privilege to meet with Moffitt Cancer Center CEO Dr. Patrick Hwu to discuss the lifesaving work happening at their center and their exciting expansion efforts at the Pasco County campus. We were also joined my Moffitt patient and my friend, Tara Scalise.
Advancing Critical Reforms for Children and Seniors: I'm proud to share that two healthcare proposals I've authored were passed out of Committee last week (one from Energy & Commerce and one out of Ways & Means). Their advancement marks a meaningful step forward in the fight against pediatric cancer, rare diseases, and in improving access to medical innovation for America’s seniors.
The first bill, the Give Kids a Chance Act, is a comprehensive legislative package designed to accelerate the development of pediatric cancer treatments and expand access to life-saving therapies for children with rare diseases. It brings together multiple pieces of legislation I’ve championed for years and reflects our continued commitment to the children and families who urgently need more hope — and better outcomes. This package strengthens incentives for pediatric drug development, addresses critical gaps in research, and builds on successful efforts that have already helped bring new treatments to children facing devastating conditions. A key component of this bill is the restoration of the FDA’s Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher (PRV) program, which has played a vital role in bringing 53 new treatments to market. With the FDA’s authority to issue these vouchers having expired, restoring this program is one of my top priorities as Co-Chair of the Rare Disease Congressional Caucus. The legislation also codifies the practice of awarding orphan drug exclusivity based on a treatment’s specific FDA-approved indication — rather than a broader disease category — a critical change that will continue to drive innovation and investment in therapies for smaller patient populations.
As we recognize Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month, we’re reminded that more than 1,500 children in the U.S. lose their lives to cancer every year. While we've made real progress, too many families are still left without viable treatment options. This bill is about changing that — and about giving children with rare diseases and cancer a real chance at survival.
The second of my healthcare bills that passed out of Committee last week is the Ensuring Access to Critical Breakthrough Products Act, a commonsense, bipartisan effort to ensure that America’s seniors have timely access to the most advanced medical technologies. The legislation would require Medicare to provide coverage for medical devices approved under the FDA’s Breakthrough Devices Program, which is specifically designed to fast-track the development of technologies that diagnose or treat life-threatening or irreversibly debilitating conditions. Currently, even after a device has received FDA approval and breakthrough designation, Medicare is not required to cover it. In many cases, it can take over six years for Medicare to make a coverage decision — delaying access to potentially life-saving treatments for millions of seniors. Our bill fixes that. By streamlining the Medicare coverage process, we can ensure that seniors receive faster access to breakthrough technologies — and that innovation isn’t buried under outdated bureaucracy.
Florida is home to more than 600 medical device companies, many of which are leading the way in developing advanced, effective products. I’ve heard directly from innovators across our state who say these long and outdated approval timelines are a major barrier to getting devices into the hands of patients who need them. Immediately upon reintroduction, this bill was reviewed and reported favorably by the House Ways and Means Committee. At its core, this bill is about cutting red tape, encouraging innovation, and making sure our seniors don’t have to wait years for the care they need and deserve. The federal government must modernize its coverage process and keep pace with the rapid advances in medical technology that are already improving — and saving — lives. Click here to listen to me discuss this important healthcare priority during a recent legislative hearing.
Ensuring Access to AM Radio: Every hurricane season, Floridians rely on timely, accurate information to make potentially life-saving decisions — whether to evacuate, shelter in place, or seek help. AM radio remains a trusted and far-reaching source of emergency communication, especially in rural and underserved areas where other forms of communication may be limited or unreliable. With most radio listening occurring in vehicles, it's essential that we preserve this accessible and dependable medium for all Americans. Yet many automakers have begun removing AM radio from new vehicle models — a troubling trend with serious public safety implications. That's why I introduced the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025, which also passed out of the Energy & Committee last week. This bipartisan legislation recognizes the critical role AM radio plays in emergency alerts and public safety.
For decades, AM radio has been a vital source of news, weather updates, entertainment, sports, and music for tens of millions of Americans — especially while on the road. My bill directs the Department of Transportation to require automakers to include AM broadcast radio as standard equipment in all new vehicles, ensuring universal access at no additional cost to consumers. To protect public safety and ensure Americans can access every available communication channel during a crisis, we must maintain a strong, resilient, and widely accessible emergency alert system — and AM radio is a cornerstone of that system.
Strengthening Our Energy Security: Last week, the House passed the Promoting Cross-Border Energy Infrastructure Act, delivering long-overdue regulatory clarity for building pipelines and transmission lines between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. This bill removes red tape, streamlines the permitting process, and ends the patchwork of executive orders that have delayed or canceled key projects—like Keystone XL. Energy producers can now rely on a transparent, consistent framework to grow trade, create jobs, and strengthen North American energy independence. I’m proud to support legislation that puts American workers, consumers, and energy security first.
In another major step, the House also passed H.R. 1047 – the GRID Power Act, which I supported. With surging electricity demand driven by AI, domestic manufacturing, and electrification, our grid must be ready. Outdated rules and harmful policies have led to project delays, plant retirements, and increased blackout risks. This bill cuts red tape and prioritizes essential power projects—helping keep the lights on and the economy moving. House Republicans are working to protect the grid and power America’s future.
Preserving Our Natural Resources: I’m excited to share my latest column in The Citrus Chronicle, where I discuss how thoughtful development, good planning, and responsible infrastructure are vital to preserving what makes our communities beautiful and livable. I look forward to continuing partnerships with local leaders to achieve these goals.
Learning from You: Recently, I had the opportunity to meet with members of my Veterans Advisory Committee across Citrus, Hernando, and Pasco counties. Their insights are invaluable in helping me understand the challenges facing our local Veteran community and in shaping my work on their behalf in Washington.
I also had the honor of joining fellow community leaders at this year’s Cryoeeze Gala in Pasco County. Cryoeeze is a remarkable nonprofit dedicated to supporting Veterans and First Responders through alternative treatments for traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress, and other service-related challenges. I’m grateful for the chance to stand alongside those making a real difference in the lives of our heroes.
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 was honored to celebrate the success of local Veterans and their families who have transitioned out of homelessness with the support of St. Vincent de Paul. We are always proud to stand alongside a community that uplifts those who’ve served our country. Grateful for the opportunity to recognize their resilience and the impact of compassionate support.
My team was also pleased to attend this month’s East Pasco Chamber of Commerce breakfast, where they heard from local law enforcement about the meaningful steps they’re taking to build bridges of understanding and cooperation across the community.
Additionally, my team was excited to attend the grand opening of Riverside Recovery Center—a welcome and much-needed addition to our community that will provide vital support to those battling addiction.
Constituent Corner
My team recently received this message from a constituent after helping her husband with his VA case. 
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. Also, if you are planning a trip to Washington, DC please let us know 90 days in advance so we can help make the most of your visit. We are here to serve you! |
