|
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.
The Federal Government’s Spending Spiral
Over the last 12 months, net outlays were $6.86 trillion. In FY2024, net outlays were $6.75 trillion. In FY2023, net outlays were $6.13 trillion.
In October, the federal government took in $327 billion! That’s great, but we spent $584 billion, leaving the federal government still responsible for the remaining $257 billion…
Tax receipts may be up, but our spending is WAY up. The most recent Congressional Budget Office (CBO) 10-year budget projection forecasts that total outlays will be $6.98 trillion in FY2025, $7.24 trillion in FY2026, and $7.51 trillion in FY2027.
Joint Economic Committee to Hold Hearing About Expiring Tax Provisions This Week
The Joint Economic Committee (JEC) will hold a hearing tomorrow, November 19 to discuss the expiration of the 2017 Tax Cuts & Jobs Act (TCJA) provisions. You may have seen me during my weekly House Floor speeches outline what expirations of certain provisions mean for Arizonans. Tomorrow's hearing is an opportunity for the committee to dive deeper into its implications for all Americans.
The TCJA provided a blueprint for proven economic expansion by reducing the corporate rate, supporting small businesses, workers, and households, and incentivizing investment. To sustain and amplify these gains, Congress must continue and expand upon these policies by maintaining competitive corporate and small business tax rates, pursuing fiscal responsibility, and promoting innovation. By doing so, Congress can foster an environment where productivity, technological advancement, and economic resilience drive the next American economic boom, benefitting families, workers, and businesses alike. Through a commitment to pro-growth policies, the U.S. can remain a global economic leader and ensure lasting prosperity for future generations. Tune in here to watch the livestream.
Apply to Intern Alongside My Staff!
My offices are accepting applications for full-time congressional internships for the 2025 spring semester! College students interested in interning in my Scottsdale office are encouraged to submit their applications to Ernestina.Borquez-Smith@mail.house.gov. If you're looking to participate in my Washington, DC internship program, students should submit their applications to Sydney.Vermillion@mail.house.gov. For more information, please review my website or please call my district office at (480) 946-2411. Applications for both offices are due no later than December 1, 2024. We look forward to reviewing your applications!
Seasonal Scams to Watch Out For
The time of year is approaching where acts of gift-giving and holiday travel skyrocket. In order to protect yourself from scams, remember:
- Don’t click suspicious links or attachments in e-mails, websites, or social media. This also may result in unknowingly downloading malware to your device.
- Be wary of online retailers offering goods at significantly discounted prices. If a deal seems too good to be true, it likely is.
- Beware of purchases or services that require payment with a gift card.
- Use a credit card versus a debit card to make purchases and check credit card statements routinely.
- Make charitable contributions directly rather than through an intermediary and beware of organizations with copycat names similar to reputable charities.
- Always get tracking numbers for items you buy online, so you can make sure you can follow the delivery process.
Other Scams to be Mindful of This Season Include:
Online Shopping Scams
Scammers offer deals through phishing e-mails or advertisements.
Social Media Scams
Scammers use social media sites to offer holiday promotions, vouchers, or gift cards by completing surveys designed to compromise your personal information.
Gift Card Scams
Victims receive a spoofed e-mail, call, or text asking them to purchase multiple gift cards for personal or business reasons.
Charity Scams
Criminals set up fake charities and profit from persons who believe they are donating to a legitimate organization.
Smartphone App Scams
Scammers design mobile apps designed as free games that steal your personal information.
Medicare Open Enrollment
Is your current Medicare coverage choice still right for you in 2025? You may be able to find lower premiums and better coverage. Review your current Medicare coverage and compare it to new 2025 prescription drug and health options at www.medicare.gov/plancompare. This makes it easy to compare coverage options, shop for 2025 plans, and feel confident in your choice. Now’s the time to find the best fit for your needs and budget.
Submit Your Request for 2025 Inauguration Tickets!
The 2025 Presidential Swearing-In Ceremony will take place on January 20, 2025, on the steps of the U.S. Capitol. You can be a part of Presidential history by attending this important event and witnessing the swearing-in of the new President! After taking the oath, the President will give their Inaugural speech outlining their vision and priorities for the upcoming term.
Each office gets a certain number of tickets which will be given to requests at random draw. Please fill out the required information on my website to be considered for a ticket!
If selected, participants are still responsible for lodging and travel. A submission DOES NOT guarantee admission.
What I'm Reading and Why It Matters
The House of Representatives recently passed the Social Security Fairness Act, a bipartisan bill that will increase Social Security benefits for state and local government workers by $196 billion over the next decade, despite the program’s looming insolvency. In an article authored by the Wall Street Journal, government unions claim an inequity in how Social Security benefits are calculated for public workers who do not contribute to Social Security during their government employment. The issue came about due to the provision that years worked in government are excluded from the benefit formula, which can artificially inflate benefits for public workers who also have private-sector employment.
The 1983 Windfall Elimination Provision attempted to address this discrepancy, but the new bill repeals this and another 1977 policy aimed at correcting spousal benefit calculations. As a result, the bill disproportionately benefits high-earning public workers with substantial pensions, further accelerating Social Security’s financial demise.
Despite concerns over Social Security’s trust funds running out by 2035, lawmakers passed the bill with little regard for its long-term impact. The legislation’s broad support across both parties– including 62 senators backing companion legislation– signals an ongoing trend of overspending that could weaken future fiscal discipline.
On a podcast I'm listening to– How Fraudsters Are Bilking the Government Out of Billions of Dollars, a Bloomberg production outlines how fraud has been under-analyzed, in terms of where money is being mishandled and being able to pinpoint what actions to take moving forward. In terms of the health care sector, ambulance services, for example, are highly reimbursed and low overhead. It's expected to cost more than $7.7 billion for non-emergency ambulance rides over the next decade. This loophole was closed by the introduction of the prior-authorization rule, resulting in a 67 percent drop in spending the next month. The problem then stands where qualification requirements aren't made clear up front. Basically, bad actors take advantage of these loopholes upfront since preventative measures are not made clear. It's a really fascinating listen and speaks to my obsession with finding ways to cut back on fraud and waste. |