Weekly Wrap-Up with Congressman Byron Donalds

This week, the House of Representatives entered a committee work week. I spent my week in the district where I had the opportunity to meet with the hardworking constituents of FL-19, tour the vast ecosystems of Southwest Florida, and virtually attend numerous Congressional committee hearings.

The hypocrisy of the Democrats was evident this week as Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer was spotted at a dinner party with twelve friends, breaking her own state’s COVID-19 dining restrictions. While businesses suffer from draconian lockdowns, liberal leaders continue to violate their own rules. I am proud to represent the 19th district of Florida, where small businesses are able to prosper without tyrannical government lockdowns and mandates.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill this week to combat the censorship of Floridians by Big Tech. The bill allows people that are treated unjustly by Big Tech to sue for monetary damages. This decision by Governor DeSantis bolsters efforts to preserve and protect freedom of speech for all Floridians and take a stand against the Big Tech oligopoly. Freedom of speech is a Constitutional right that every American should be able to exercise freely without the threat of censorship by Big Tech platforms.

This upcoming Monday, May 31 is Memorial Day. Join me in honoring those who have selflessly gave their lives fighting for the United States Armed Forces. We recognize America’s fallen heroes who have made the greatest sacrifice to their country and in defense of freedom around the globe; we are forever indebted to their service and bravery.
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Please continue reading to learn more about current legislation, upcoming events, and ways in which I’m working to advocate for conservative policies in #FL19!

Response to the One Year
Passing of George Floyd

This Tuesday marked the one year anniversary of the passing of George Floyd. Progress is recognizing that America is not a systematically racist nation and that the actions of bad police officers do not define the heart of the men and women who swear an oath and dutifully protect our communities.

Read my full statement regarding the anniversary of George Floyd’s passing below:
GeorgeFloydPress

Legislative Updates

This week the House Small Business Committee held a hearing on an examination of the SBA’s COVID-19 programs. As a member of the House Small Business Committee, I had the opportunity to address the witness, Administrator Guzman, and learn about the challenges currently facing our nation’s small businesses and how Congress can help bolster our economy and implement effective economic relief.

Despite being required by law, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen was not present at the hearing. If the Biden administration truly cared about our nation’s small businesses, Secretary Yellen would be testifying before the committee.

Click the link below to watch my exchange with Admin. Guzman:

Rep. Donalds Gets an Answer on How Planned Parenthood has received $90 million in taxpayer funds through the COVID-19 Paycheck Protection Program.

Recently, I signed on as a Co-Sponsor to The Return to Work Act and Help Wanted Act which benefit our nation’s workers as we rebound from the pandemic.

The Return to Work Act, introduced by Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-GA), would end the $300 per week Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation benefit. It is time to end government paychecks and focus on bringing back our strong American workforce. Click the link below to read more about this legislation.

Return to Work Act

I also Co-Sponsored the Help Wanted Act, introduced by Rep. Chris Jacobs (R-NY), which addresses our nation’s severe labor shortage that was caused by federal unemployment policy. It requires states to restore work search requirements to continue receiving and distributing enhanced unemployment benefits. It also removes the provision in the CARES Act that allows individuals to collect unemployment benefits if they voluntarily decided to leave their job. Finally, it clarifies that individuals can no longer collect Pandemic Unemployment Assistance if they decline work based on generic safety concerns related to COVID-19.

I will continue to fight every day on behalf of American workers and ensure our economy is supported by our businesses. Click the link below to learn more about this critical legislation.

Help Wanted Act

I Co-Signed the Restaurant Revitalization Fund letter, lead by Rep. Jim Hagedorn (R-MN), to the Small Business Administration. Restaurants have suffered a massive hit from the pandemic. On May 24, 2021, the Restaurant Revitalization Fund was closed. The letter calls upon SBA to provide justification as to why they are giving preference to individuals that may lack proper documentation, or an unknown immigrant, over our American citizens. Additionally, we emphasize the Biden Administration’s strategy of choosing winners and losers. It is critical that funds allocated by Congress go to the intended recipients, and Americans deserve transparency from the Small Business Administration.

As a free-market capitalist, I am a strong believer in letting the free-market dictate the economy, rather than the federal government produced widespread discrimination.

Restaurant Revitalization Fund Letter

Community Engagement

This week, I was proud to join my fellow Florida House GOP colleagues to tour Lake Okeechobee and meet with local leaders who are dedicated to keeping Florida’s water clean and safe. Fighting for safe water quality in Southwest Florida is one of my top priorities; I am grateful for the opportunity to ensure Florida has a voice in Washington in resolving this critical issue.

Okee22
Okee1

This week, I hosted a Veterans Town Hall in Fort Myers where I met with Veterans from Southwest Florida. I was able to hear directly from the SWFL veteran community as they expressed their concerns. I look forward to bringing their comments to D.C. in order to ensure the federal government is properly serving our servicemen and women. It is an honor to represent our American heroes in Congress and I will continue to fight on their behalf every day.

VetTH

I am excited to announce the 2021 Congressional Art Competition. All current high school students in Florida’s 19th Congressional District are eligible to participate in the Congressional Art Competition. Artwork must be submitted to one of my Congressional offices, in either Lee County or Collier County, no later than June 9th, 2021 at 12 PM. For entry and submission details and guidelines, I encourage all interested participants to please visit my website: donalds.house.gov/forms/submitartwork/

The judging ceremony for Florida’s 19th Congressional District Congressional Art Competition will be hosted on June 10th, 2021 at 6:30 PM at the Sidney and Berne Davis Art Center, in Fort Myers, Florida.

In the Media

This week, I sat down for an interview on America’s Newsroom with Dana Perino and Bill Hemmer to discuss police reform and the need to stop the dangerous calls to defund the police. Watch the interview below.

Byron Donalds: People don’t call ‘activists, politicians’ when in danger, they call police

I joined Fox Business’ ‘Kudlow’ for an interview to discuss Biden’s reckless $6 trillion budget and the unacceptable growing crime rates in liberal cities, due to poor leadership and lack of police presence. Watch the interview below.

Biden’s budget is ‘reckless, crazy, makes no sense’: Rep. Byron Donalds
TUNE IN ALERT:

I’ll be on Fox News’ Justice with Judge Jeanine on Saturday, May 29 at 9:00PM EST.
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Serving the hardworking men and women of Florida’s 19th Congressional District is my distinct honor and privilege. It’s time Washington works for our community’s values, and every day I will always strive to ensure your government is working for you.

Sincerely,

Byron Donalds Signature
Byron Donalds
Member of Congress