The Webster Wire

Listening to Floridians

Dear Friends:

House Republicans’ initial proposal to provide a sensible debt ceiling solution and save $4.5 trillion in taxpayer dollars was released last week. The Limit, Save, Grow Act of 2023 saves taxpayer dollars by:

• Reclaiming nearly $60 billion in unspent COVID funds – the COVID pandemic is officially over and these funds have sat dormant for nearly two years. They should be reclaimed and repurposed to reduce our debt and deficit. 
• Rolling back the reckless spending by Congress and President Biden over the last two years – saving nearly $3.6 trillion.
• Restoring common sense work requirements to assistance programs that then-Senator Biden championed – saving nearly $120 billion.

I believe in ensuring the health of the U.S. economy and honoring debts incurred; however, I have opposed voting for a debt ceiling increase that does not come with spending reforms that will help us pay down the debt. The President himself has a long history of engaging in and supporting negotiations over the debt limit.  President Biden must reverse his refusal to meet with Speaker McCarthy, he must negotiate with Republicans – just as House and Senate Leaders negotiated with previous White Houses.  To increase or suspend the debt limit of the United States, without any fiscal restraint or spending reforms jeopardizes our national security and our children and grandchildren’s future.

Protecting Women's Sports

Thursday, I voted to pass H.R. 734, the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, legislation I co-introduced earlier this year. This bill leverages Congress’ Constitutional power of the purse to protect women and girls who have dedicated their lives to physical training and discipline to achieve excellence in their sport. Allowing biological males to participate in women’s sports is patently unfair and jeopardizes women’s safety and fairness in competition. By prohibiting Title IX federal funds from being used in sports that allow biological males to compete against biological females, this legislation will protect that right of female athletes in competition by ensuring a fair playing field.

Supporting our Coast Guard

Last week the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee, which I chair, held a hearing to review the Fiscal Year 2024 budget request for the Coast Guard. We heard from Admiral Linda Fagan, Commandant of the U.S. Coast guard and Health B. Jones, Master Chief Petty Officer about their request for operation and capital investments.

The Coast Guard plays a vital role in protecting our coasts, securing maritime trade, responding to emergencies and disasters, and countless other missions. To support the Coast Guard in providing resources to carry out their missions, we introduced the Coast Guard Reauthorization Act of 2023 last week. This important legislation will enable the Service to recapitalize its historically underfunded fleet, shoreside facilities, and IT capabilities.

Fighting for Farmers, Families and Small Businesses

Last week, I along with a bipartisan group of members voted to override President Biden’s veto of my resolution H.J.Res 27. Unfortunately, most of my Democrat colleagues failed to join a bipartisan majority to reverse the Biden Administration’s flawed Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule and chose to stand with President Biden and radical environmental activists over American farmers, families and small businesses. This is an issue that affects all Americans, and I will continue to push back against Federal overreach and work to restore the role of Congress.

Congratulations App Challenge Winners

Last week, winners from the 2022 Congressional App Challenge visited Washington to take part in the #HouseofCode, where students demonstrate their apps to Representatives. I had the opportunity to meet with the winners earlier this year at their schools but had the privilege to welcome students to my office in Washington.

Officially launched in 2015, the Congressional App Challenge is a nationwide event intended to engage middle and high school students to encourage their participation in STEM fields. To learn more about the Congressional App Challenge please visit https://webster.house.gov/appchallenge.

We're Coming to You

Mobile Office Hours brings my office directly to you to provide assistance with the Social Security Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, Passport Agencies, and much more. This week, my office will be holding Mobile Office Hours at the following locations:

Wednesday, April 18

• Windermere – From 8:30 – 11am at Windermere Town Hall, 520 Main St. Windermere, FL 34786
  

Seeing and Serving You

On Wednesday, I met with Sumter, Orange, and Polk County Farm Bureau Presidents and several of their members. We talked about some of the challenges facing our farmers, such as labor, trade and water rights issues. We also discussed the upcoming Farm Bill, and how Congress can support our nation’s agricultural industry.

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On Friday I joined Pastor Brian Broadway on a tour with Find Feed & Restore, a nonprofit organization that seeks to end homelessness, and aid individuals to prevent a homeless situation. We toured two different locations that Find Feed & Restore are developing, Restore Lake in Groveland and Grace Garden in Mascotte. Restore Lake will offer a community home for women and children along with tiny homes for families, while Grace Garden offers working families with children affordable housing.

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I also visited with Rabbi Ralph Messer and his wife Maureen, to tour the Hebrew Bible College, Simchat Torah Beit Midrash and the Citrus Tower. Rabbi Ralph and Maureen recently purchased the Citrus Tower from Greg Homan and his family, which sits next to the Hebrew Bible College. Renovations have been underway to expand offerings at the Citrus Tower, such as Leo’s BBQ, which is slated to open soon.

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On Saturday, Cindy Brown, my Community Relations Representative for Sumter County, joined Sumter County Schools to tour CEMEX for their “Welcome Earth Day 2023” event. The event featured a tour of CEMEX mines, fossil digs, and presentations from students at Sumter County Schools. American mining is among the safest, cleanest and most efficient in the world.

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Pam Jones, my Community Relations Representative for South Lake and Orange Counties, joined Fire Chief Thomas Smothers and the Ocoee Fire Department at an Open House at Fire Station 25 hosted in partnership with Citizens Advisory Council. Residents met their neighborhood firefighters, toured the station, and climbed inside different vehicles on display. The event also provided information for residents for hurricane and disaster preparedness.

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Pam and Cindy attended the Lake County Boys and Girls Club of Central Florida “Faces of the Future” breakfast at the Leesburg Teen Center. Betsy Owens, Vice President, Marketing & Community Relations, attended with Mack Reid, Chief Operations Officer, who shared the vision for the Boys and Girls Club and the influence upon children and youth. Young children shared their desires for their careers when they grow up and teens shared testimonies how the Boys and Girls Club has made a difference in their lives. Sheriff Peyton Grinnell shared an inspirational message how the Boys and Girls Club impacted his life as a young boy.

Your servant,

Daniel Webster
Member of Congress