The Webster Wire

Listening to Floridians

Dear Friends:

In Washington last week, Americans joined together in support of the sanctity of life. Thank you to the thousands of participants, I am grateful for your commitment to stand up on behalf of our most vulnerable - unborn children. I voted to pass two bills last week that support pregnant women and defend the sanctity of life:

• H.R. 6918 the Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act, prevents the Biden Administration from restricting funding to pregnancy centers that provide pregnant mothers and families with life-affirming care and resources.
• H.R. 6914 the Pregnant Students’ Rights Act, requires universities and higher education institutions that participate in Title IV federal student aid programs to support pregnant women by providing information and resources to help them carry their baby to term and care for the baby after birth.

These bills help ensure pregnant mothers across the country have access to the resources and care they need as they bring a child into the world. Every life is precious, and throughout my years of service, I have worked to protect life at every stage and will never waver on my commitment to life. I encourage you to fight for the unborn, and I will continue to do the same in Congress.

A+ For Life

Last week, Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America announced I earned an A+ rating on their National Pro-Life Scorecard because I, “stood up against the pro-abortion agenda of the Biden-Harris administration and the radical bureaucrats who are actively working to expand abortion access and abortion funding”, during the first session of the 118th Congress. The right to life is one of three unalienable rights promised to all individuals in the Declaration of Independence. I thank SBA Pro-Life America for recognizing my voting record, bills sponsored and other actions to protect the rights of our most vulnerable – the unborn. For more information on my actions visit www.sbalist.org/representative/daniel-webster.

Infrastructure Investment 

Last week, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee heard from state officials and industry stakeholders on the state of transportation in the United States. I asked witnesses how my bill, H.R. 490, the Federal Infrastructure Bank Act of 2023, would benefit the investment of new infrastructure projects. America’s infrastructure is long overdue for critical repairs and needed advancements. My bipartisan bill would create an infrastructure bank that complements existing programs, working with state and local partners. This approach would be entirely capitalized by private investment, saving taxpayer dollars while also creating a much-needed mechanism for projects to access necessary funding.

Holding Secretary Mayorkas Accountable 

The House Committee on Homeland Security Committee held their second impeachment hearing on Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. This hearing featured heart wrenching testimonies from mothers who have lost their children because of President Biden’s border crisis, which has turned every community into a border community. These hearings come after my visit to the southern border in Eagle Pass, where I got a first-hand update on how President Biden and Secretary Mayorkas’s failed policies have perpetuated the crisis at our border. I am very pleased to see Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green take another step forward in his committee’s comprehensive investigation into the cause, costs, and consequences of the unprecedented crisis at America’s borders.

Support President Trump's Appeal

I filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court recently supporting President Trump’s appeal in the case Donald J. Trump v. Norma Anderson, et al, along with nearly 200 of my republican colleagues. The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear President Trump's appeal in Trump v. Anderson following the Colorado Supreme Court ruling that he should be removed, even though he is the leading presidential candidate for the Republican Party's nomination. I am confident that the U.S. Supreme Court will reverse this disastrous decision. It is the American people who decide who is elected President, not liberal activists.

Calling For the Release of Ryan Corbett

I recently co-sponsored H.Res. 965, a resolution calling for the immediate release of Ryan Corbett, a United States citizen, who was wrongfully detained by the Taliban on August 10, 2022, and condemning the wrongful detention of Americans by the Taliban. Ryan Corbett is a husband and father, who has been held without charge by the Taliban in Afghanistan since August 10, 2022. Ryan is being held in a basement cell without regular access to a bathroom, sunlight, or medical care and its’ been reported that he is in deteriorating health. Before Christmas, I reached out to President Biden’s Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs on Ryan’s behalf asking for an update on State Department’s actions to secure his release and to ensure they’re keeping him at the forefront of all conversations with Afghanistan. I am committed to advocating for his immediate release, getting him home to the United States and reuniting him with his family.

Seeing and Serving You

I am honored to share that the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced that U.S. Army Air Force Staff Sgt. Franklin P. Hall, 21, of Leesburg, Florida, killed during World War II, was accounted for on July 13, 2023.  After almost 80 years, Staff Sergeant Hall’s remains were flown home into Orlando International Airport and were honored in a Welcome Home Hero’s Highway procession route from Beyers Funeral Home to Lone Oak Cemetery in Leesburg.   

Cindy Brown, my Community Relations Representative for the City of Leesburg, read a letter I sent as part of the graveside service where SSgt Hall was finally laid to rest with Full Army Military Honors. Officiating the graveside service was U.S. Army National Guard Chaplain Sellon. Condolences were made by Florida State Senator Dennis Baxley, former Lake County Commissioner Brigadier General Timothy Sullivan and a Proclamation was read by Leesburg Mayor Burry.

Staff Sgt. Franklin P. Hall paid the ultimate sacrifice. Let us remember that freedom is not free. It required the sacrifice of this brave man and many other men and women who were willing to sacrifice their comforts and lives. We will always remember those who fought for our freedom, defeated tyranny, and defended liberties we enjoy. Welcome Home, Staff Sgt. Franklin P. Hall, may you rest in peace. We owe you a debt we can never repay.  

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While I was in DC, Cindy Brown, my Community Relations Representative for Sumter County, represented me at the ribbon cutting of two homes built by Habitat for Humanity Lake-Sumter, New Covenant United Methodist Church, and the Habitat for Humanity Club of The Villages.  Onehome was for the Hunter Family, which include Ashley Hunter and her four children, and the other for the Broughton Family, which include Rodney, Elexis and their four children.   

The three organizations collaborated in a building project of ten homes in Sumter County through Habitat for Humanity’s Home Ownership program. Habitat Lake-Sumter sells affordable site-built homes to individuals and families within Lake and Sumter counties who have demonstrated need, are willing to partner with Habitat, meet the program guidelines, and have the ability to sustain an affordable monthly mortgage payment. The collaborative partnership of Habitat Lake-Sumter, New Covenant United Methodist Church, and the Villages Habitat for Humanity will together provide the Sumter County community with access to safe, affordable housing. Congratulations to the Harper Family and the Broughton Family! Thank you to Habitat Lake-Sumter, New Covenant United Methodist Church and the Habitat for Humanity Club of The Villages for your dedication to the community.

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Pam Jones, Community Relations Representative in West Orange County, attended the small business government contracting opportunities on my behalf - Central Florida Tourism Oversight Board event in Apopka. The City of Apopka elected officials and the Apopka Chamber along with businesses, organizations, and community leaders gathered at the Apopka Community Center. Glenton Gilzean, Jr., District Administrator of Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD), was the guest speaker. Mr. Gilzean shared how the CFTOD is an available resource for local businesses to thrive. Central Florida Tourism Oversight District formerly known as, Reedy Creek Improvement District is a local government entity, created in 1967 by a special Act of the Florida Legislature. The purpose of which is to support and administer certain aspects of economic development and tourism within District boundaries. CFTOD supports local and veteran-owned businesses, and they encourage businesses to register their business to obtain invitations to networking events, and future bid opportunities.

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Pam Jones participated in Career Day at Pinecrest Academy Tavares, K-8 Public Charter School, with Principal Rebecca Schanck. Pam discussed the U.S. House of Representatives and choosing the position of a staff member as a career. Students from Mr. Jordan Ritter’s and Mr. Joseph Lalanne’s history and civic classes engaged in the conversations and lecture. Pam also joined the Fellowship of Christian Athletes with Michael Adkins, FCA North Lake County Representative, and Katie Payne, Science Teacher, during the lunch hour.

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Pam also recently attended the Wyld Oaks Groundbreaking in Apopka with Mayor Bryan Nelson, council members, the project team, and the Apopka Chamber. Joe Beninati of Double B Development and Founder of Wyld Oaks shared the story and how the dream has come to fruition. Wyld Oaks will support the tremendous growth in Apopka and contribute to the community with 215 acres of residential, commercial, and recreational uses. The commencement of this project signifies immense economic opportunity for the future of Apopka and Orange County. In addition to creating new jobs, Wyld Oaks will supply commercial and recreational uses for the thousands of new residents whose homes are under construction in one of the region’s fastest growing epicenters.

Your servant,

Daniel Webster
Member of Congress