Dear Friend,

I hope you were able to view the testimony of nonpartisan State Department professionals Bill Taylor and George Kent in the impeachment inquiry. Despite the president’s attempts to obstruct any examination of his misdeeds and his apparent extortion of the new Ukrainian president, the House of Representatives intends to stand up for our constitutional principles and our democracy.  Here is the link to the opening statements. Former U.S. Ambassador to the Ukraine Marie Yovanovich will testify tomorrow at 10am and additional hearings are scheduled for next week as well. No one is above the law, not even the president, and we will continue to follow the facts on behalf of the American people.

Every day is Veterans Day in Tampa Bay and I was happy to salute our veterans and their families at the Hillsborough County’s Annual Veterans Day Tribute! In this spirit, the House passed nine bipartisan bills the next day to improve veterans’ lives by ensuring GI benefits are protected, implementing GAO recommendations to improve management and care, and expanding accessibility to appeals hearings. The package included the historic Deborah Sampson Act, HR 3224, that I cosponsored to improve the lives of more than 2 million women veterans, including initiatives to expand access to health care, provide peer-to-peer assistance of reintegration and readjustment services, newborn care and prevent homelessness. In August, I hosted an important roundtable discussion with Tampa Bay area female veterans, and I am determined to ensure that female veterans, who face unique challenges, receive the benefits they have earned and have connections to all the resources our community has to offer.

The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments two days ago to determine whether or not the Trump Administration will be allowed to deport DREAMERs – young people who were brought to America when they were young children and have no current pathway to citizenship. For years, Tampa Bay business leaders, faith leaders, law enforcement and neighbors have joined me in standing up for DREAMers and a pathway to citizenship. Earlier this year, the House of Representatives passed the American Dream and Promise Act to provide a tough but fair pathway. It is past time for the Senate to take up and pass our bill so that our DREAMers no longer have to live in limbo. The outcome will have life-altering consequences for 700,000 young people. We have invested in DREAMers and their success, and it would be wrong for President Trump to deport them.

The House also has scheduled a vote on HR 4863, the United States Export Finance Agency Act, to reauthorize the Ex-Im Bank that has created nearly 2 million American jobs - including many in Tampa Bay - by ensuring that small businesses can compete on a fair global playing field. This bipartisan initiative is critical for lifting up local communities and businesses.

Home in Florida last week, I was pleased to highlight the need to combat the climate crisis on Tampa’s Picnic Island with Audubon Florida that issued a report on the future of bird species, at a Tampa family owned small business that is saving big bucks after installing solar panels with the help of the solar investment tax credit, and in south Florida with Reps. Donna Shalala and Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, to better understand the impacts of extreme temperatures, flooding and declining coral reefs.

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Open enrollment season is here! I was joined by Jodi Ray, Program Director of Florida Covering Kids & Families and community partners to remind everyone that the health care marketplace is open for enrollment through December 15. Florida residents can call on local Navigators for provide free assistance for the best coverage plan for their families and appointments at www.CoveringFlorida.org. Free assistance in Spanish is also available. Hillsborough families also should check out the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County at www.familysupporthc.org/contact-us. When shopping, beware of skimpy, “junk” insurance plans that don’t provide required coverages often marketed by scam artists who advertise online, call you on the phone or email you.