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Dear ,

I hope you and your family are doing well! Below, please find a few updates on my work last week for the residents of Arizona’s First Congressional District.

We Must Continue to Ensure Antisemitism Will Never Have a Place in America

As we just recently passed the one-year anniversary of the tragic massacre of October 7, we have seen an abhorrent rise in prejudice against members of the Jewish faith. Over 10,000 antisemitic incidents have occurred in the U.S. in the year following the Hamas attack on Israel– a 200% increase from the 3,325 incidents the prior year and the highest number on record since tracking began in 1979. 

This one-year reminder stands as a firm indication that Congress will stand strong until we've eradicated the presence of hatred in our country. In an effort to promote my steadfast commitment to protecting the freedoms of religion and condemn antisemitism, here are a couple pieces of legislation that I've introduced:

Schweikert Introduces Legislation to Support Increased Protection for Religious Institutions

Schweikert Introduces Legislation Redirecting Frozen Iranian Assets to Support Israel

New Bill Would Protect Places Of Worship From Increased Threats

Medicare Open Enrollment is Right Around the Corner

Medicare Open Enrollment kicks off TOMORROW, and now is your chance to review your current plan and compare all the 2025 health and prescription drug options. Your current plan may still work for you, or you may find a plan that’s a better fit.  

Just like your health, Medicare plans may change every year. By comparing your options, you may find a plan that saves you money or offers you better coverage, or both. When you’re ready to review your options side by side, go to the official source for Medicare—Medicare.gov.

All Medicare plans will include a $2,000 cap on what you pay out of pocket for covered prescription drugs. The cap only applies to drugs that are covered by your plan, so it’s more important than ever to review your plan options to make sure your drugs are covered.

While our office is unable to conduct the comparison for you, here are a couple of resources that we can share:

1. Area Agency on Aging: to make an appointment with a Medicare Counselor, call our 24-hour Senior HELP LINE at (602) 264-HELP
2. AZDES State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) 
3. AZ Department of Insurance resources
4. Official Medicare & You 2025 Handbook
5. General FAQ

Upcoming Mobile Office Hours with My District Office

My district casework team is here to assist residents of Arizona’s First Congressional District with applications and claims pertaining to federal benefits. Staff from my district office may be in your neighborhood to offer one-on-one casework assistance. Please see 5the table below for upcoming events coming soon or call my District Office at (480) 946-2411 for immediate assistance with the IRS, Passports, Medicare, Social Security, VA and other federal benefits.

Get Ready for the Western Passport Center’s Passport Day! 

The Western Passport Center is hosting a special passport day on Saturday, October 26 as part of the Department of State’s Passport Month! The U.S. Department of State is celebrating Passport Month by offering special events across the country to offer people convenient options to apply or renew their passports ahead of international travel.

October 26, 2024
8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
7373 E. Rosewood St
Tucson, AZ 85710

No appointments needed and applicants may choose routine service (4-6 weeks) or expedite service (2-3 weeks). No same-day services will be offered.
If you travel within 14 days and need urgent passport service, please call the National Passport Information Center to schedule an appointment for another day.
Before applying for your passport, please visit Travel.State.Gov/Passports for general passport information including updated processing times, requirements, forms, and fees, or call the National Passport Information Center toll-free at 1-877-487-2778.

Recognizing Some Amazing Citizens of AZ-01

Arizona State University is partnering with HonorHealth, a locally owned nonprofit health system, to serve as the primary clinical affiliate new School of Medicine and Advanced Medical Engineering!

I'm excited to see my Alma Mater working alongside a community-focused health system with nearly 100 years of expertise in Arizona to further innovation of medical care. 

The 2024 Congressional App Challenge is Underway

The Congressional App Challenge is a competition aimed at encouraging middle and high school students to learn how to code by creating their own applications. The Challenge is intended to highlight the value of computer science and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education.  The House of Representatives knows how crucial these skills are and wants to encourage students to engage in these fields. By encouraging and recognizing our nation’s young programming talent, Congress hopes to shine a light on the importance of these skills.

This competition is open to all students who meet the eligibility requirements, regardless of coding experience. We strongly encourage students of all skill levels to participate, enabling them to learn how to create their own apps. Students are encouraged to register online and submit their apps by October 24. For more information and registration, please visit our website.

What I'm Reading & Why it Matters

Our communities and country are continuing to endure troublesome times. Whether you are feeling the devastating effects of inflation, natural disasters, or political polarization, it's likely that you've also been a victim of misinformation and disinformation. This week, I wanted to share some important articles that shed light on some misleading schemes being spread online and remind you to take caution with all online media you consume.

The first account stems from an attorney who warned the public after an AI voice-cloning scam nearly tricked his father into handing over $35,000. The scammers likely cloned the attorney's voice, utilizing his recent 15-second campaign ad, to convince his father he was in a serious car accident and needed money. The father almost complied until he became suspicious of the unusual payment request involving cryptocurrency. The family's warning comes from the of hope of increasing awareness against sophisticated and convincing scams.

A Washington Post analysis reveals that China is increasingly targeting down-ballot elections in the U.S. by using fake social media accounts to spread antisemitic conspiracy theories and divisive narratives about politicians. This covert influence operation, known as Spamouflage, has evolved from promoting positive narratives about the Chinese Communist Party to directly interfering in American political discourse, especially on contentious issues. The operation has expanded its reach and sophistication, coinciding with a rise in antisemitic content on platforms like X.

As Hurricane Milton struck Florida, misinformation surged from multiple angles– including foreign adversaries– who labeled the storm a "simulation" aimed at damaging the Republican state. Disinformation campaigns intensified with AI-generated images of a flooded Disney World circulating on social media, falsely portraying severe damage and leading to widespread speculation. Russian state media amplified these misleading narratives, misidentifying the park and further propagating the chaos. The situation reflects a broader trend where hostile actors exploit crises to undermine public trust and sow discord in Western democracies.

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