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Dear Neighbor,
After a busy few days in Washington, I joined my family in Greece to celebrate a very special occasion—my son Michael’s wedding to his beautiful bride, Sofia. We are thrilled to welcome Sofia into our family and wish them a lifetime of love and happiness!
Before I left, I continued working hard on your behalf in Washington. Continue reading to learn more about those efforts.
Setting the Record Straight: In an attempt to derail the President’s plan to restore an America First agenda, liberals have been spreading misinformation about the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act (OBBA). I am committed to dispelling myths about our legislation and to sharing truthful information about how it will benefit Floridians.
Securing the Border and Deporting those Here Illegally: Like the majority of Americans, I support the President’s efforts to deport those who have broken our laws and are here illegally.
Helping our Heroes: Veterans who are medically retired due to combat-related injuries shouldn’t have to forfeit a portion of their retirement pay just to receive the VA benefits they’ve earned. This unfair policy—known as concurrent receipt—forces many to sacrifice benefits they deserve. I will never stop fighting to rectify the injustice of concurrent receipt. Click here to learn more about my legislation to address this important issue.
I am also honored to receive the Legislative Leadership Award from the Florida Dental Association for my efforts to expand Veterans’ access to dental care. I will always be proud to support those who’ve served by helping improve their health and well-being.
Additionally, I met recently with the CEO of Lyft, David Risher, about his company's partnership with the VA to ensure Veterans with transportation limitations have a safe and reliable option for getting to and from their VA appointments.
Helping Patients: I enjoyed meeting with local doctors from Florida Cancer Specialists to discuss the challenges facing specialty care physicians and to learn more about the innovative approaches they’re using to provide personalized, high-quality care to their patients. These conversations are essential as we work to support our healthcare professionals and ensure patients continue to receive the specialized care they need.
I also recently had the opportunity to tour Moffitt’s new SPEROS Campus in Pasco County alongside Dr. Josh Carpenter, who was recently appointed as the campus’s new President. This state-of-the-art facility represents a major investment in the future of cancer research and patient care. I’m excited about the groundbreaking work that will take place here and the positive impact it will have on patients and families across our region.
Creating Safer Streets: I had the honor of meeting with Mr. Fisher and Jeannine Laurence of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) to discuss their vital mission to eliminate drunk and impaired driving. They shared the heartbreaking story of Zoey Fisher, who tragically lost her life on her high school graduation day last year—taken by a drunk driver. Her story is a powerful reminder of what’s at stake. The Fisher family is turning their pain into purpose—raising awareness about the dangers of impaired driving and advocating for the implementation of life-saving safety measures. Their courage is inspiring, and their work is urgent. Together, we can prevent these tragedies. Together, we can save lives and make our roads safer for everyone.
Raising Awareness: It is important to protect yourself and your loved ones from becoming a victim of a scam. Click here to learn more.
Inviting Local Students to Participate: I will once again be hosting the Congressional App Challenge (CAC), a competition designed to encourage student participation in computer science and coding. Students are encouraged to register online and submit their app by October 30th. The Challenge is designed to promote innovation and engagement in computer science. The Congressional App Challenge is open to all middle and high school students in Florida’s 12th Congressional District. The winner, chosen by a panel of expert judges, will be featured nationally.
Community Connection
I am fortunate to have a team of dedicated staff who regularly attend events throughout our community, especially when I am required to be in Washington, DC. Through their collective efforts, I am better able to stay connected to the issues that matter most to my constituents. As part of my commitment to developing a better understanding of the issues facing constituents in Citrus, Hernando and Pasco counties, members of my team attended several events last week. Here are a few highlights.
My team joined others in the community in welcoming home a local Honor Flight. The Honor Flight program transports Veterans to Washington D.C. at no cost so that they may visit the monuments and memorials dedicated to their service. May these American heroes always know how deeply they are appreciated.
My team also supported local charities during the Brooksville Rotary Day of Giving. 
Additionally, my team attended the Grand Opening of a new small business in Hernando County called Luminous. Luminous is a business that provides event space for local gatherings.
Constituent Corner
My team recently received this message from a constituent after helping sucessfully resolve an issue she was having with her local government.
I just wanted to say thank you for your assistance in this matter. I greatly appreciate you and Gus and all he does for his constituents. The matter was successfully resolved thanks to you getting me in touch with the correct person without all the red tape. Blessings to you all.
This is just one example of the work we do each day. Constituent services are a critical element of our congressional office. The federal government is a massive operation, and my office is available if you ever need assistance in navigating the bureaucracy or cutting through red tape. We are here to serve you! |