The Webster Wire

Listening to Floridians

Dear Friends:

Last week, the House adopted something I’ve been doing every year since being elected to Congress. We passed H.R. 4364, the Legislative Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2024, which requires all unspent money from the Members’ Representational Allowance (MRA) to be used for debt and deficit reduction. Each year, I have saved money from my Congressional Office Budget to reduce the debt and deficit - returning over $4.5 million to date. Additionally, every year I deliver a personal check to the Treasury Department to roll back my salary to the 2008 amount. Although it is a small step given the trillions of dollars the federal government spends, it is a step in the right direction.

H.R. 4821, the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2024, also passed the House with my support. 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 5 remaining appropriations bills.

Sean Hannity Interview with House GOP

On Wednesday, I joined Speaker Mike Johnson and my House Republican colleagues for an interview with Sean Hannity. Speaker Mike Johnson and members of the House Republican Conference spoke about our plans to address the crisis the Biden Administration has created at our southern border, how we are working to stop the spigot of spending in Washington, and discussed the new revelations uncovered in the Biden impeachment inquiry.

I remain committed to working with my House Republican colleagues to deliver on our commitment to Americans to deliver an economy that’s strong, a nation that’s safe, a future that’s built on freedom and a government that’s accountable.

Support for Israel

Last week, the House passed with my support H.R. 6126, the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, which provides $14.3 billion in emergency supplemental funding to Israel. It provides support for our greatest ally in the Middle East, as it defends itself against the barbaric war launched by Iranian-backed Hamas Terrorists. This legislation rejects the Washington presumption that nothing can be cut in order to fund priorities by rescinding funding from the Inflation Reduction Act, specifically targeting funds used to supercharge the IRS with 87,000 new agents.

The House also passed H.Res. 769, Condemning the support of Hamas, Hezbollah, and other terrorist organizations at institutions of higher education, which may lead to the creation of a hostile environment for Jewish students, faculty, and staff. I co-introduced this resolution. We have witnessed the shameless support of Hamas and rising anti-Semitic incidents and attacks on college campuses nationwide in the aftermath of Hamas’ terrorist attack. I remain committed in ensuring a safe learning environment for Jewish students, faculty, and staff.

I also co-sponsored, H.R 6118, the Stand with Israel Act, introduced by Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) last week. The Stand with Israel Act would cease funding to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) until the United Nations (UN) Security Council and the UN General Assembly passes a resolution condemning Hamas for its recent unprovoked and coordinated terror attack against Israel. These terrorists have targeted residential neighborhoods, showing a blatant disregard for human life by killing innocent civilians. Since these attacks, the UN has failed to pass a resolution condemning Hamas. The United States should not be providing taxpayer dollars to the UNHRC that fails to uphold its principles by disregarding human rights abuses that it was created to protect. We must stand firm with Israel against attacks from terrorists.

The SHIP Act

I also co-sponsored of H.R. 3774, the Ship Harboring Iranian Petroleum (SHIP) Act, which passed the House last week. The SHIP Act would sanction entities that engage in the illicit Iranian oil trade, including ship-to-ship transfers of oil, entities that own refineries that process Iranian oil, and entities on the Treasury Department’s specially designated nationals and blocked persons list. The bill requires a report from the Biden Administration on the increase of exports of petroleum and petroleum products from Iran. 

Just a few years ago, America was the world’s largest energy producer and gas was affordable, but the Biden Administration has halted energy projects, stopped pipeline construction and more. Instead of unleashing U.S. production and transport, the Biden Administration is actually pursuing purchasing oil from the likes of Iran. The United States should not support the growth of trade relationships or the Iranian economy while the nation continues to fund attacks on democracy and freedom across the globe. House Republicans have passed legislation to force the Biden Administration to restart projects are permits to unleash domestic energy production and help restore America's energy independence. I remain committed to embracing innovation and promoting energy made in America with American workers and bringing down prices for consumers.

Update on Biden Family Investigation

House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer recently announced the committee followed the money and identified how President Biden received $40,000 in laundered Chinese money from the account of his brother, James Biden, and his sister-in-law, Sara Biden, in the form of a personal check.

The Oversight Committee, along with the Judiciary and Ways and Means Committees, will continue to follow the evidence and money to provide transparency and accountability. I applaud Chairman Comer for his thoughtful and thorough approach to this investigation and am confident he will not cave to political pressure as we pursue the full extent of information and accountability. Government accountability and transparency are among my top priorities, and I will continue doing my part to ensure that President Biden and his Administration are held accountable for not enforcing federal law and abusing their powers.

Seeing and Serving You

On Saturday, I visited with constituents at The Villages 26th Government Day event at the Eisenhower Recreation Center. It was great to speak with Rich Rademacher, President of the Villages Vietnam Veterans Chapter 1036, and Mac McGovern, Supervisor of The Villages District 8, and many other constituents about the services my office provides. If you need help with an issue before the IRS, Medicare or Social Security, VA or another federal agency, please contact my office.

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Cindy Brown, my Community Relations Representative for The Villages, was recently invited by Lt. Commander Sheila Robbins (US Navy Retired), leader of the Quilt of Valor Foundation in The Villages Khaki Quilters Chapter, to join with Khaki Quilters, friends, and family at the presentation of handmade quilts for 5 veterans. Dale Glen, US Army, served in Germany; Salvatore Fattizzi, US Army, served in Korea; Noel Fromkin, US Marine Corps, served in Vietnam; and Mr. James Hackbarth, US Navy, who served in Vietnam. These quilts are awarded as a way to say thank you for the service, sacrifice, and valor in serving our nation. On each quilt is labeled and comes with a presentation case and Quilt of Honor certificate and journal. Thank you, Veterans, for your service to our country! We owe you a debt we can never repay.

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Pam Jones, my Community Relations Representative for West Orange County, attended the West Orange Chamber Ribbon Cutting for AdventHealth Well 65+ in Winter Garden with CEO Christine Hansen. Dr. Shashi Yoganand the Family Physician, Lynn McGowan the Practice Manager, Dr. Robert Rodgers, Chief Medical Officer, Rosa Tran, Director of Operations, staff and guests joined the chamber members for the celebration. AdventHealth Well 65+ offers primary care for seniors customized to fit their needs.

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In Winter Garden, Pam Jones joined the West Orange Chamber to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Betty J’s Florist with Rilla Tomyn, owner since 2003. Betty J’s Florist also celebrated the 50th anniversary of serving the community since it was originally opened by Betty Jean Brimer in Ocoee. Chamber members, friends, family, and neighbors gathered to celebrate with Rilla and her sister, Libby.

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Natali Werner from my local office recently attended the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce Advocacy Committee. Moore Hallmark, President of Regional Affairs and Advocacy for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce spoke at the meeting and discussed the priorities of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and spoke about the importance of securing our southern border and reforming our immigration system.

Your servant,

Daniel Webster
Member of Congress