Weekly Wrap-Up with Congressman Byron Donalds May 10, 2021

Weekly Wrap-Up with
Congressman Byron Donalds
May 10, 2021

The House of Representatives remained in recess this past week, affording me ample time at home in Southwest Florida to meet with you, the hardworking constituents of Florida’s 19th Congressional District, as well as local leaders and business owners.

However, Congress being in recess doesn’t stop my Democrat colleagues from their usual power-grabbing tactics. Rather than work in a bi-partisan manner, Senator Chuck Schumer and the Democrats try to sneak massive immigration reform into a budget reconciliation. This overhaul circumvents the legislative process and attempts to push through radical immigration policies without debate or congressional oversight and grant citizenship to millions of illegal immigrants.

In April, the number of unaccompanied migrant minor children in the U.S. reached an all-time high of over 22,000- what this country needs is sensible immigration reform, not a free pass for all that fails to address the actual issue. Unfortunately, this kind of so-called leadership from Chuck Schumer and the Left is what happens when radical progressives get drunk with power. Rest assured, I am doing everything in my power to stop this drastic and potentially detrimental policy from becoming law.

The recent April jobs report that was just released proved true what we already knew: what incentive do the American people have to return to work when the federal government and the Biden Administration are mailing them free checks? Despite millions of job openings, unemployment numbers increased up to 6.1 percent. While this news is far from surprising, it’s unsettling, to say the least. The Biden Administration’s insistence on raising taxes, cutting jobs, supporting continued lockdowns- are all crushing the American Worker. It’s time to cut the bureaucratic red tape, open up our country, and get the American people back to work.

While in Southwest Florida this past week, I was happy to travel throughout FL-19, meeting with constituents and providing them a Congressional update. For a recap on the legislation that I just introduced to uphold IP protection from the threats of our communist adversaries, information on upcoming town halls, and more, keep reading!

Legislative Updates

Since the mainstream media and Congressional Democrats refuse to conduct necessary oversight on John Kerry’s dealings with the Iranian regime, my GOP colleagues and I will. Every day we waste is another day John Kerry is compromising our national security.

Read my full statement regarding John Kerry below:

John Kerry Statement

Last week, along with the support of the Republican Study Committee Chairman Representative Jim Banks (R-IN), I introduced a bill aimed at preventing the Biden Administration from senselessly giving away America’s intellectual property rights to countries to China.

Read more about this critical legislation on Fox Business.

My full statement below:

IP bill

As the Republican Party evaluates who will chair the Republican Conference in Congress, I am choosing the direction of new leadership that embodies the future of the party, not the past; I am choosing to support Representative Elise Stefanik (R-NY)
as the next Chair of the House Republican Conference.

My full statement of support is below.
Elise Statement

In the District

Last week, I addressed members of the Cape Coral City Council to discuss the needs of the city, provide a Congressional update, and discuss potential opportunities for federal and local partnerships in order to best serve the people of Southwest Florida.

I was happy to speak to the members of the Republican Club of Southwest Florida in Bonita Springs, FL last week. We were fortunate enough to have a packed house as we discussed pro-life legislation in Congress, the Biden Border Crisis, and Florida leading the nation in election integrity.

Community Engagement in Southwest Florida

I’m excited to announce that I am hosting my first Tele-Town Hall tonight, May 10th at 7 PM EST. This Tele-Town Hall serves as an opportunity for constituents to receive a Congressional update, ask questions, and to share the most pressing needs of Southwest Florida communities. For more information, click the link below:

Congressman Donalds Announces Tele-Town Hall

On May 24th, 2021 I am hosting a Veterans Town Hall. This event serves as an opportunity for Southwest Florida veterans to address their concerns, receive a Congressional update, and to learn about available federal resources. The Town Hall will be held at the American Legion Post 38, in Fort Myers, Florida. For event details, visit my website, by clicking here.

Reminder: Throughout the month of May, in celebration of Small Business Month, my office will be recognizing small businesses in Florida’s 19th Congressional District that are committed to serving the community and giving back. Click the link below to nominate a small business in Southwest Florida for a Congressional Recognition:

Office of Congressman Byron Donalds Small Business Nominations

In the Media

I had the opportunity to join Pete Hegseth on ‘Fox News Primetime’ last week to discuss the Left’s newest tactic of bringing race into policy debates. Watch the fiery interview below:

Fox News: Rep. Donalds Discusses Race in America

I joined Newsmax host Grant Stinchfield last week to discuss Attorney General Merrick Garland, the violent history of Antifa, and the Biden Administration using government agencies like the FBI for political gain. Watch the interview below:

ICYMI: I joined Pete Hegseth, Jedediah Bila, and Lawrence Jones on ‘Fox & Friends’ this past weekend to discuss the long-term economical impacts of rising unemployment and the current state of policing in America. Click below to watch the interview!

Rep. Donalds: We Can’t Rely on the Government to Put Money into Everyone’s Pocket

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

Congressman Donalds Joins GOP House Oversight Committee Members in John Kerry Probe

Congressman Donalds Joins GOP House Oversight Committee Members in John Kerry Probe

WASHINGTON—Yesterday, Congressman Byron Donalds (R-FL) joined House Committee on Oversight and Reform Chairman James Comer (R-KY) and fellow GOP committee members in calling on the White House to provide documentation regarding John Kerry’s security clearance.

“John Kerry is a threat to America’s national security. He has a long and damning history of putting his business and personal dealings before the business of the American people, and just as concerning, with the Iranians, who are outspoken enemies of the United States.

“The Biden Administration must restore the American public’s faith in our national security by providing transparency regarding how someone like John Kerry can obtain a security clearance and continue representing America’s national security interest. Since the media and Congressional Democrats refuse to conduct necessary oversight on Kerry’s dealings with the Iranian regime, my GOP colleagues and I will. Every day we waste is another day John Kerry is compromising our national security.”

Republicans request documents on Kerry’s security clearance process

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Byron Donalds Press release

Donalds and Velázquez Introduce Bill to Protect Small Construction Firms

WASHINGTON—Today, Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) Member of the House Small Business Committee and House Small Business Committee Chairwoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) introduced legislation to preserve payment protections for small construction firms working as subcontractors on federal projects. The legislation would exclude the threshold for construction contracts that must be bonded under the Miller Act from periodic inflation adjustments, ensuring that more projects are covered under federal bonding requirements.

“Small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy, and as a member of the House Committee on Small Business, it is imperative members come together to ensure small businesses have the protection they deserve,” said Rep. Byron Donalds. “I am proud to work with Chairwoman Velázquez on this common-sense, bipartisan solution to a problem impacting many small subcontractors who do business with the federal government.”

“The U.S. government is the largest purchaser of goods and services on the planet, and it’s vital to the economy that small firms are included in these contracting opportunities,” said Chairwoman Velázquez. “Under current law, the Miller Act threshold increases every five years, reducing protections for small subcontractors and potentially leaving them in a precarious position if the prime contractor fails to pay them. This bill will allow small subcontractors to participate in federal projects without taking on unsustainable risk.”

Due to their size, many small firms often find that the most practicable avenue for them to participate in the federal procurement arena is by leveraging subcontracting opportunities. These subcontractors are guaranteed payment through the issuance of surety bonds by their prime contractors. If a prime contractor defaults, the surety bond ensures the subcontractor is compensated for their work on the project.

Surety bonds under the Miller Act take two forms: payment and performance bonds. Thus, in addition to subcontractors, surety bonds protect taxpayers. When the dollar threshold for issuing surety bonds is raised to account for inflation, taxpayers also lose protections against nonperformance. Velázquez’s bill would exempt surety bond requirements from inflation adjustments, allowing more small businesses and taxpayers to have protection through bonds.

Click here, for a full version of the bill.

Weekly Wrap-up – Bryon Donalds

Weekly Wrap-Up with
Congressman Byron Donalds
April 26, 2021

Last week, Congress was in Session again. Unfortunately, House Democrats continued down the path of flooding the House Floor with bills that skip committee hearings and forcing hyper-partisan bills to a party-line vote.

Democrats this past week in the House of Representatives focused on passing unconstitutional legislation making Washington, D.C., the 51st state. Don’t be fooled- this is a desperate attempt for power. D.C. statehood isn’t anything more than a progressive scam to push forth policies like packing the U.S. Supreme Court, the Green New Deal, anti-gun legislation, and the federal takeover of our elections through H.R. 1. We also witnessed the verdict in the Derek Chauvin murder trial. Despite inappropriate and divisive rhetoric by Rep. Maxine Waters and even the President, a jury of Mr. Chauvin’s peers convicted him on all three counts. His callous disregard for human life by no means represents the actions of the majority of police officers in America, and its important bad actors face the appropriate ramifications when they fall short of their commitment.

This past week, I also attended committee hearings to discuss COVID-19 impacts on small businesses and how we, as representatives, can provide aid and relief. Florida’s handling of COVID-19 has proven to benefit small business owners by cutting bureaucratic red tape, making access to vaccines easier, not enforcing lockdowns, and getting the government out of the way. I’m proud of the work we’ve done thus far, but we still have a lot of work left to do!

Please continue reading below for #FL19 updates, legislative events on Capitol Hill, and what’s happening in my Congressional office!

Statement on the Verdict on the Trial of
Derek Chauvin

The death of George Floyd was a tragedy that caused his family, friends, and our entire nation to grieve and look at ways to reform policing. Now that his family has seen justice, I pray that they find peace during this difficult time. I pray that our nation begins to heal our divides and move forward as one people.

Read my full statement below regarding the verdict on the trial of Derek Chauvin:

Derek Chauvin Statement

Op-Ed: “We Are Getting Played at Our Southern Border”

As a member of ⁦the House Committee on Oversight & Reform, I had the opportunity of traveling to El Paso, & Santa Theresa to tour the humanitarian & political crisis the administration created at our border.

Since day one, the Biden Admin has laid out the welcome mat for illegal immigration. While Americans get played, children’s lives are in danger, and the drug cartels get richer.

Click the link below to read my Op-Ed about the #BidenBorderCrisis, exclusively on Breitbart:

Rep. Byron Donalds: We Are Getting Played at Our Southern Border

Collier County Business of the Month

My Legal Edge has been named the Collier County Business of the Month. Congratulations on all of your hard work, success, and this esteemed recognition! Thriving businesses and booming economies are just another reason to love Southwest Florida. #FL19

In the Media

Last week, I was happy to talk with Sean Hannity on his program on the Fox News Channel to discuss how Democrats in DC are taking a page out of Saul Alinksy’s “Rules for Radicals”: pick a target and polarize it. This push isn’t about reforming policing in America- this is about using the anger & outrage of the American people to pass their liberal agenda. Watch my full interview below:

I joined John Roberts and Sandra Smith on Fox News’ “America Reports” last week to discuss how President Biden, Vice President Harris, and the DNC are playing off of the anger, emotion, and outrage of the American people regarding the tragedy of George Floyd to pass their radically progressive agenda. Click the link below to watch my full interview:

Rep. Donalds Slams Democrats For Using Race to Pass Agenda

ICYMI: I was featured in a panel alongside former congressional candidate Kim Klacik on Fox News’ “Justice with Judge Jeanine” over the weekend to discuss policing in America, Democrats push to Defund the Police, and more. Watch the full interview below:

Florida Congressman Byron Donalds Reacts to ‘Defund the Police’

Congressional Art Competition

Calling all #FL19 high school artists: the deadline to submit your artwork for this year’s Congressional Art Competition is May 5th.

For entry and submission details, please visit: donalds.house.gov/forms/submitartwork/

art competition

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

Congressman Donalds’ Statement on the Verdict in the Trial of Derek Chauvin

Congressman Byron Donalds (R-FL) issued the following statement on the verdict in the trial of Derek Chauvin.

 

“Our Constitutional Republic is predicated on the belief that you are innocent until proven guilty, and one’s fate is to be determined by an impartial judicial system that is ultimately in the hands of a jury of your peers—we saw that today. The fight for equal justice in America did not come easy. We must all acknowledge the tremendous advancements we as a nation have achieved in which has provided equal justice under the law for decades, but the work is far from over.

 

“The murder of George Floyd demonstrated a reckless disregard for human life by a public servant who swore an oath to protect and serve the people of Minneapolis and by no means represents the majority of police in America today. Today and every day, Americans should celebrate the fact that we live in a nation that awards every person their day in court and the opportunity for justice to prevail under the blindfold of Lady Justice.”

Congressman Donalds’ Statement Regarding the Democrat’s Radical Power Grab: D.C. Statehood

Congressman Byron Donalds (R-FL) issued the following statement regarding the Democrat’s radical power grab move to grant Washington, D.C. Statehood.

 

“Democrats are not working for the American people; they are working for themselves and their callous desire for power. D.C. Statehood is just another tool in their toolbox to transform our Constitutional Republic to push their radical leftist agenda.

 

“D.C. Statehood is not about giving Washingtonians representation; it is about giving the Left two Democrats in the United States Senate so they can pass anti-gun legislation, pack the United States Supreme Court, and pass H.R. 1. The left can play with politics, but they can’t play with our Constitution.”