The Webster Wire

Listening to Floridians

Dear Friends:

Friday’s jobs report once again fell short of expectations – December’s job growth was the weakest of the entire year. Less than 200,000 jobs were created, when expectations were for more than 400,000. President Biden’s and House Democrats’ big government socialist policies are not working, and hardworking Americans and small businesses are bearing the brunt.  I continue to advocate for Congress to act with fiscal responsibility and pass policies that empower American workers and business owners to achieve success. Spiraling inflation, supply shortages and weak job growth are serious problems that threaten the stability and security of our Nation.  Soon I will be delivering my annual, personal check to the Bureau of Fiscal Service at the Treasury Department to roll back my salary to the 2008 amount. If all federal government spending was rolled back to 2008 amounts, we would no longer have a budget deficit and could begin to pay down our debts. While Democrats and some of my Republican colleagues reject this, I will continue to work to restore responsible budgeting and reduce federal spending.

Access to COVID-19 Therapies and Treatments

Florida has led the way in ensuring our constituents have access to COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics, while the Biden Administration has been more of a hindrance than a help.  From vaccine allocations last year to life-saving therapies such as monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), I've called on President Biden to not restrict states' access medicines, treatments and therapies for COVID-19.

President Biden has focused on pushing vaccines over all other tools to fight COVID-19. In doing so there is a significant shortage of treatments, therapies, tests and even PPE for healthcare workers.  I have asked the Biden Administration why they have not secured enough supply/capacity of life saving treatments such as mAbs. Especially given that data shows, and the CDC has stated, COVID-19 vaccines do not prevent an individual from getting or transmitting the virus, it makes no sense for the Biden Administration to only have focused on vaccines and not taken a multi-prong approach that would ensure adequate treatments proven to help reduce the effects of COVID-19 are widely available. I will continue to support Governor DeSantis’ efforts to secure the resources Florida needs to ensure access to vaccines and  treatments alike and hold the Biden Administration accountable for their failures to follow the science and be a helpful partner.

Protecting Religious Liberty

Just before Christmas, I signed an Amicus Brief in support of 35 Navy service members seeking religious accommodations for the Department of Defense COVID-19 vaccine mandate. I am pleased to report that last week, a federal judge blocked the DoD from punishing these warfighters as they seek a religious exemption. Judge O’Connor stated in his decision that, "There is no COVID-19 exception to the First Amendment. There is no military exclusion from our Constitution."  This is a win for our First Amendment rights!

Remembering Navy Chief Petty Officer Baker

I recently joined my colleagues in Florida’s Congressional Delegation to urge House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairs and Ranking Members to consider H.R. 1960, legislation which would name the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) clinic in Clay County, Florida, after U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Andrew Kenneth Baker. Chief Baker lost his life in a helicopter accident while serving our nation on March 13, 1997. His more than 17 years of service to our nation deserves to be immortalized and this dedication is one step toward honoring his life, his valor, and his family within our community. We owe our veterans a debt we can never repay.

Seeing and Serving You

Tuesday, Pam Jones, my Community Relations Representative for Lake and Sumter Counties, attended the Mascotte City Council meeting. Mascotte Police Chief Eric Pederson and Officer Kenia Abreu presented a check for $4,750 to the Greater Clermont Cancer Foundation. The Mascotte Police Department also recently held their annual “Cruiser for the Cause” in October to benefit the Foundation. The Mascotte Police Department and the Greater Clermont Cancer Foundation extended their gratitude to the community for their generous donations this year.

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Pam Jones also recently attended the “Walk for Freedom” in Leesburg which highlighted local action in the fight against human trafficking and joined “Walk for Freedom” members who showed their support at the Lake County Board of County Commissioners meeting on Tuesday where Commissioner Sean Parks offered a human trafficking ordinance for consideration. The ordinance was accepted unanimously and ensure public human trafficking awareness signs and the hotline number are displayed in locations that are clearly visible to the public and employees. 

I have repeatedly cosponsored and supported legislation that leverages the power of the United States against those who perpetrate egregious human rights abuses such as human kidnapping and trafficking, particularly child sex trafficking. I have also supported legislation that provides more tools and resources to combat domestic violence, trafficking and provide aid to victims. I will continue to support legislative efforts to put an end to such human rights abuses and am grateful for efforts like the Lake County Human Trafficking Task Force which diligently seeks ways to keep human trafficking out of our community.

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Last Friday, my District Director attended the Ribbon Cutting ceremony for Pasco Hernando State College’s Instructional Performing Arts Center. The new Center offers three Associate in Arts (AA) performing arts curriculum pathways for students who plan to transfer to a Florida public university to complete a bachelor’s degree in Dance, Theatre or Music.

Your servant,

Daniel Webster
Member of Congress

Constituent Corner

A constituent from Lady Lake contacted my office regarding a statement he received from the Social Security Administration (SSA) notifying him of a significant reduction in his monthly benefit due to an overpayment on his record. The overpayment was a result of a voluntary separation incentive paid to him by the Defense Finance Accounting Service. My staff followed up with the SSA to address the constituent’s appeal and ensure his paperwork was processed expeditiously. Shortly after my office submitted an inquiry, the constituent was awarded a favorable response which resulted in a refund of over $1,500.

Constituent services is 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.