The Webster Wire

Listening to Floridians

Dear Friends:

Last week, I voted to pass four of the twelve required government spending bills, which cut government spending by $8 billion and claw-back another $18.6 billion. Taken together these bills which include the Department of Defense, State and Foreign Operations, Homeland Security, USDA, the FDA and more fund nearly 70% of the government. My House Republican colleagues are joining in something I’ve been doing and advocating for a decade – rejecting the Washington resumption that nothing in the federal budget can be cut in order to fund our priorities without increasing our deficit. Passing individual appropriations bills is no easy feat, it allows for thorough review and tough decisions – decisions and reviews that hardworking taxpayers rightfully expect us to make.

The House voted on two spending measures to avoid a government shutdown last week. The first measure, H.R.5525 would have funded our government through end of October but with a cut of $11 billion, allowing Congress time to pass the remaining appropriations bills, would have forced the Biden Administration to secure our border. This bill was a step in the right direction towards reducing spending, securing the border, and keeping our military men and women and border patrol paid. Despite my support, this measure failed to pass the House.

On Saturday, the House voted to pass a Continuing Resolution (CR) that extends current funding levels for 45 days. This legislation was later passed by the Senate and signed by the President. I voted no on this legislation.
 
While the CR averts a government shutdown, I opposed this legislation as it continues reckless spending by Washington and does nothing to force the Biden Administration to address the crisis at our southern border. I will continue to work with my colleagues to reduce federal spending and get our nation back on a responsible fiscal path as we work on passing the 8 remaining appropriations bills. I will also continue working to secure our border.

It didn’t have to be this way – the process of passing the required appropriations bills should have begun at the start of the year, so a vote on a budget could happen well before the fiscal deadline. I have advocated for this in the U.S. House as I adopted such a schedule when I led the Republican takeover of the Florida House of Representatives – which many have followed since – and it’s contributed to responsible spending decisions and a better budget outlook for all Floridians.

Honoring America’s Veterans

Last week, I was privileged to welcome Honor Flight Veterans from the Villages to Washington, DC. It was an honor to greet them while they were visiting the Korean War Memorial. It was great to see heroes from our district in the nation’s Capital. We owe them a debt we will never repay.

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 staff will be holding Mobile Office Hours at the following locations:

Tuesday, October 3

• Winter Garden: From 8:30 – 11 a.m. at Winter Garden City Hall, 300 W Plant St. Winter Garden, FL 34787
  
  
• Ocoee: From 1:30 – 4 p.m. at Ocoee City Hall, 1 North Bluford Avenue, Ocoee, FL 34761

Thursday, October 5

•  Bushnell: From 8:30 – 11 a.m. at Bushnell City Hall, 117 E Joe P Strickland Jr Ave. Bushnell, FL 33513
  
  
• The Villages: From 1:30 – 4 p.m. at Everglades Recreation Center, 5497 Marsh Bend trail Wildwood, FL 34785

 
Visit the Bureau of Engraving and Printing

In June, I along with several colleagues asked Leonard R. Olijar, Director of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP)to resume constituent tours that stopped more than three years ago and haven’t resumed since. I’m pleased to report that tours of the BEP and the visitor center, have reopened! Please visit my website for more information.

Seeing and Serving You

Small businesses are the backbone of our local economy, it’s great to celebrate the companies and organizations that bring high quality services and jobs to our community. Pam Jones, my Community Relations Representative for South Lake County, attended the South Lake Chamber Ribbon Cutting for A1 Aluminum Screened Enclosures and Lanais with South Lake Chamber Executive Director David Colby. Owners Brad and Debra Flora cut the ribbon to celebrate their new showroom displays.

Cindy Brown my Community Relations Representative for Leesburg also attended the Leesburg Chamber’s Ribbon Cutting 23rd Anniversary celebration with Central Florida Solutions Group, Inc. Congratulations, Bob Rudinsky and family – who are proud owners of a customized printing business in an expansive facility on their Leesburg property.

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Pam also attended the 5 Year Anniversary of Orlando Health Hospital Horizon West Emergency and Medical Building with the West Orange Chamber. Chamber Ambassadors came out to celebrate with Shannon Vaughan RN, Director of Emergency, Lauren Cardona, Associate COO, and Jeannie Morello, Executive Assistant.

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Cindy Brown also recently attended the Lake County Career Fair. She met with Sonia Sambula and Jennifer Denis, US Navy Recruiters, who we’re seeking the best and brightest patriotic citizens to join America’s Navy. Thank you, Sonia and Jennifer for your service to our country!

Your servant,

Daniel Webster
Member of Congress