Dear ,

I hope you and your family are doing well! I wanted to provide a few updates on my work this past week for the residents of Arizona’s First Congressional District.

Fighting for a Healthier America Transcends Partisan Politics

Click here or on the image above to watch the floor speech.

Last week, I delivered a speech on the House Floor to discuss how nearly every dime of discretionary spending — basically, everything we think of as government — will be on borrowed money this fiscal year. I also discussed the fact that diabetes accounts for a significant portion of all U.S. health care spending and urged my brothers and sisters in Congress to put their differences aside to enact meaningful legislation that will begin to put our nation on a healthier trajectory, which in turn will have a positive impact on the overall economy.

Leading a Bipartisan Hearing on the Economic Impact of Diabetes

On Thursday, I led a bipartisan hearing with Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Chairman of the Joint Economic Committee, on how diabetes and obesity adversely impact both physical and fiscal health throughout the country. Achieving a healthier society shouldn't be a Republican or Democrat issue — it's our moral obligation. I look forward to continuing to work across the aisle on solutions to end the misery of diabetes and bring back economic productivity.

PACT Act Backdated Compensation Deadline Approaching

Arizona veterans, if you served in the military between November 11, 1998 and October 1, 2013, you may be eligible for enhanced benefits thanks to the PACT Act. While there is no deadline to apply for PACT Act-related benefits, if you apply for benefits or submit an "Intent to File" by August 9, you will have your benefits backdated to August 2022. 

To learn more about benefits, visit VA.gov/PACT or call 1-800-MYVA411. Additionally, please don't hesitate to contact my office if you or someone you know needs assistance with veterans' benefits. Visit the Veterans page on my website for more information on how we can be helpful.

Examining the Challenges With the Employee Retention Tax Credit

Click here or on the image above to watch my remarks.

Last week, I chaired a Ways and Means Oversight Subcommittee hearing on the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC), where members from both sides of the aisle scrutinized the confusion, delays, and fraud associated with the overall ERTC experience. The ERTC is a refundable tax credit that was originally designed to help businesses retain employees during the pandemic. But insufficient guidance, massive backlogs, and rampant fraud have left small businesses misled and exploited. The Oversight Subcommittee is looking to improve processes to prevent similar challenges and hardships in the future.

Fall Internship Deadline Extended

Interested in interning in either my Washington, D.C. or Scottsdale offices this fall? Good news! The deadline to apply has been extended to August 19th. Strong ties to Arizona's First Congressional District or the state of Arizona are preferred, but not required. Priority is given to current college students, but recent high school graduates with exceptional credentials may be considered. Additional details on the application process can be found on my website here.

What I’m Reading & Why It Matters

This week, I'm reading this article in the Wall Street Journal regarding the recent wave of foreign thieves operating welfare fraud rings to steal tens of millions of dollars from people's EBT cards. These criminals, mostly from Romania, use stolen food benefits through ATM withdrawals to make bulk purchases with cloned cards which are then resold on the black market. Oftentimes, the bulk purchases can come in the form of hundreds of thousands of dollars of energy drinks. Last year, $21.1 million was reimbursed to victims of benefits card fraud.

Thank you for taking the time to read this update on my latest work in Washington, D.C. and Arizona’s First Congressional District! If you have any comments or concerns, I encourage you to reach out to my office.

Sincerely,

David Schweikert