The Webster Wire

Listening to Floridians

Dear Friends:

Last week, I voted against the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 as it did not align with my priorities of securing the border and reducing wasteful spending. While this legislation funds additional border technology and border patrol agents, there are no policy changes that force President Biden to reverse his failed policies and enforce current border laws. I owe it to my constituents to vote against legislation that lets President Biden spend more taxpayer dollars on his senseless immigration policies.

As we begin working on funding the government for Fiscal Year 2025, I remain committed to ensuring that we both secure the border and cut wasteful spending to put our nation on a responsible fiscal path.

Supporting Our Coast Guard

The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee last week approved legislation I co-introduced, H.R. 7659, the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2024. This bill supports the Coast Guard and its critical missions to safeguard the nation’s borders, facilitate maritime commerce, and ensure maritime safety. As Chairman of the subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, I know these investments are critical to the Coast Guard carrying out their missions, especially as they have repositioned assets in the Florida straits to interdict and repatriate those trying to illegally enter Florida’s shores.

I am continuing to follow the unrest in Haiti and the potential impacts on Florida. I share the concerns of many that there could very likely be a spike in illegal immigration. Governor Ron DeSantis has also deployed additional personnel to the Keys and southern waters in Florida to help stop the potential influx of illegal immigration and launched a portal to help Floridians and their family members in Haiti. Floridians in Haiti or their family members can let the state know of immediate needs by filling out the questionnaire on the portal at FloridaDisaster.Org/Haiti.

Fighting Biden's War on American Energy

Last week, I voted to pass H.R. 1121, the Protecting American Production Act, legislation that prevents the Biden Administration from unilaterally banning hydraulic fracturing and H.R. 6009, the Restoring American Energy Dominance Act, legislation that would unleash onshore energy production. President Biden’s anti-American energy policies have devastated our country’s energy production and led to higher costs for families. These bills fight back against President Biden’s anti-American energy policies, promote American energy production made with American workers, and will help bring down the cost of energy for consumers. I remain committed to embracing innovation and promoting energy made in America with American workers and bringing down prices for consumers.

Streaming Clean Water Act Permitting

Last week, I also voted to pass H.R. 7023, the Creating Confidence in Clean Water Permitting Act, a bill that would modify and streamline the Clean Water Act’s permitting process for energy producers, the agriculture industry, builders, and water utilities. This legislation makes commonsense reforms to the Clean Water Act’s permitting process and increases transparency and reduces regulatory burdens, making for an efficient permitting process for important energy and infrastructure projects. In addition, this legislation requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Army Corps of Engineers to begin developing implementation guidance for the definition of ‘waters of the United States’ in accordance with the Supreme Court’s ruling in Sackett v. EPA.

Congressional App Challenge 

I recently visited Lake Highland Prep School to recognize seventh grader Shiva Sambandam, as the winner of the 2023 Congressional App Challenge in Florida’s 11th District. The app Shiva created “Lift Life” helps those with disabilities connect with the resources and support needed for their day-to-day lives.

Officially launched in 2015, the Congressional App Challenge is a nationwide event intended to engage middle and high school students and encourage their participation in STEM fields. Winner of the Congressional App Challenge are invited to the House of Code event at the Capitol in April where they present their apps to help launch their ideas into fully functional apps. To learn more about the Congressional App Challenge, please visit https://webster.house.gov/appchallenge.

(COURTESY OF LAKE HIGHLAND PREP SCHOOL)

Seeing and Serving You

I met with the U.S. Travel Association and discussed Florida’s vibrant tourism industry and the difficulties that it faces, including extremely long wait times for visas still occurring since the COVID-19 pandemic. We also talked about legislative initiatives to support Customs and Border Protection as well as a long-term solution to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

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On Wednesday, I met with Bill Braswell, Chairman of Polk County Board of County Commissioners, Bill Beasley, Polk County Manager, and Todd Bond, Polk County Deputy County Manager. We talked about programs that I have helped successfully fund at the federal level in recent years, such as the FDC Grove Road/North Ridge Trail Flyover,

as well as new priorities and infrastructure projects that Polk County is planning. As we move forward with the Fiscal Year 2025 Federal Appropriations process, I will work to ensure that Polk County, and each of the beautiful counties I represent, have their voices heard here in Washington, D.C.

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United Motorcoach Association, including two constituents from the district, Thom Peebles with ABC Companies and Mitch Guralnik with Prevost stopped in. We talked about the unique challenges that the motorcoach industry faces as they serve tourists, travelers, commuters, and others. The motorcoach industry was hit particularly hard during the pandemic with almost half of all companies permanently closing since 2019. It is great to see dynamic companies in our district thriving once again. As a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I will work to ensure that Congress passes legislation that will help, not hinder, small businesses and industries in Central Florida.

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A representative from the Central Florida chapter of Boys and Girls Clubs of America, specifically the Apopka club, came in to discuss initiatives aimed at advancing students to the next grade, supporting high school seniors in completing their studies and graduating, as well as providing resources to better educate and expose students to diverse career paths to broaden their awareness of available options they have after finishing high school.

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I recently met with Mike Marecek from AmVets. We discussed my support of Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) that provide integral support and community for our nation’s heroes. My office often works with VSOs to ensure our veterans are receiving high quality care in a timely manner. If you’re a veteran trying to get an appointment, experiencing delays in processing claims or benefits please contact me.

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I was happy to have met the Porro Family from Winter Garden during their family vacation to Washington, DC. Their two sons have recently become involved in their school’s student council and have developed a keen interest in our nation’s history. Following our introduction, a member of my staff led them on a tour of the United States Capitol. Meeting with constituents is a joy of mine and I was grateful to have witnessed our youth take an interest in learning more about our nation and the heritage that we have preserved for generations of Americans. If you are ever visiting Washington, D.C., my staff is eager to provide assistance in facilitating tour requests for many of the historic sites in Washington. You can submit a D.C. tour request with my office by visiting my website.

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Pam Jones, my Community Relations Representative joined ladies at the West Orange Habitat for Humanity Women Build 2024 Kickoff with Marilyn Hattaway, Executive Director. The event was held in Oakland Park in Winter Garden and the ladies created teams to prepare for the build that will start May 4th. National Women Build is an annual event across the country with the national Habitat’s Women Build program that invites women to raise funds and devote at least one day to build.

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Pam also presented letters on my behalf to Apopka City Commissioner Kyle Becker, Honoree, and Samuel Davis, Jr., CEO of Lake Apopka Natural Gas and Corporate Honoree, at the Apopka Boy Scouts Golden Eagle Dinner held at the Highland Manor. There are approximately 150 Scouts in Apopka and a total of 17,000 Scouts in the BSA of Central Florida. Benton Forrester, a Boy Scout from Troop 6/Crew 211, was the Master of Ceremonies. Jeremiah Smith gave a meaningful testimony about his life as a Boy Scout. Samuel Davis Jr. shared a sincere message and Commissioner Becker gave an inspiring message regarding the impact on his life as an Eagle Scout.

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Cindy Brown, Community Relations Representative earlier this month joined Leesburg City Commissioners Allyson Berry and Alan Reisman and Dina Simpson, Board of Directors’ Secretary for the Leesburg Center for the Arts, and owner of Renew Day Spa, at the Leesburg Center for the Arts 47th Annual Arts Festival held in Downtown Leesburg. It was a great weekend of events for thousands of local residents and visitors who enjoyed supporting local restaurants and stores, visiting with 40 artists and vendors, and watching performances by students from Beacon College and Leesburg High School. Thank you, City of Leesburg, for providing a wonderful annual community event!

Your servant,

Daniel Webster
Member of Congress