As Congress returns to work this week, it’s clear that we are facing many significant challenges as a country.
On the campaign trail, then-candidate Joe Biden promised to unify the country, rebuild our economy and reassert our leadership on the world stage. Unfortunately, to date, none of that has taken place.
Instead, Americans have seemingly never been more divided, our economy continues to sputter, there’s a full-fledged crisis on our southern border and we just witnessed the biggest foreign policy disaster in a generation because of President Biden’s failed troop withdrawal from Afghanistan.
To get our country back on track, we can and should start with getting our fiscal house in order. This reckless cycle of tax, spend and borrow is bringing us to the brink of bankruptcy and placing an immoral burden on our children and grandchildren.
As a result of President Biden’s failed economic policies and profligate spending in Washington, inflation is now at a 40-year-high, wages are stagnant and our economy’s post-pandemic recovery has slowed so dramatically that small businesses are desperate to hire workers they cannot afford.
Even with the national debt rapidly approaching $30 trillion, Democrats just voted to raise the debt limit by an additional $2.5 trillion to pave the way for further irresponsible spending habits. In fact, President Biden and Congressional Democrats are working feverishly to spend trillions of additional dollars in money we don’t have by raising your taxes to pay for so-called “social infrastructure” programs.
Enough is enough. Washington needs to live within its means and balance its books just like every family in America. We can start by putting an end to the wasteful spending and passing my bill which requires Congress to balance the federal budget just like 49 out of 50 states, including our home state of Florida.
Another issue right in our back yard that I am very focused on is water quality. As the representative for one of the most sought-after places in the country to live and work, I recognize that the health of our environment goes hand-in-hand with the health of our economy.
Red tide continues to wreak havoc on marine life, our waters and the many businesses that rely on Florida’s tourism-based economy. Last year, I held a roundtable with state and local leaders on how we can confront red tide and enhance Southwest Florida’s natural resources to protect our economy and our environment for generations to come. I have also consistently backed legislation to dedicate more resources to combat this growing problem.
In addition to fighting red tide, I’m also working to protect Florida’s beloved manatees. Sadly, over 1,100 manatees died in 2021 – the highest number in recorded history. That’s why I introduced legislation to relist the Florida manatee as “endangered” under the Endangered Species Act. When a species becomes extinct, it is lost forever. We cannot afford to let that happen to the state’s official marine mammal.
I am also very concerned about skyrocketing crime across the United States. In fact, according to the Major Cities Chiefs Association, 63 of the 66 largest police jurisdictions across the country saw increases in at least one category of violent crimes in 2020, which include homicide, rape, robbery and aggravated assault.
Protests, the insane “defund the police” movement, low morale and a record number of retirements at police departments across the country have only contributed to workforce shortages and further exacerbated the problem. Even worse, ambush-style attacks on law enforcement officers have skyrocketed by 91 percent over the last 12 months, according to the National Fraternal Order of Police.
Showing support for our brave men and women of law enforcement has always been one of my top priorities. Police officers and first responders put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities and help those in harm’s way. That’s why I’ve introduced the Thin Blue Line Act, which toughens penalties against anyone who intentionally targets or murders police officers and other first responders. My legislation passed the U.S. House with bipartisan support in 2015, and I’m working to make sure it is finally enacted into law. I’m pleased to have Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody’s support for this important legislation to help send the message to cops and first responders that we have their backs.
I am also very concerned about the crisis at our southern border. When you cancel construction of the border wall, fail to deport those who enter our country illegally and promise mass amnesty for millions of illegal immigrants, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that our border patrol encountered a record of nearly two million people attempting to cross the border illegally last year.
Cartels are also taking advantage of our porous southern border and causing the human trafficking and drug epidemic to explode. Last year, Customs and Border Protection seized 11,201 pounds of fentanyl at our Southern Border – enough to kill 2.5 billion people. Instead of rewarding those who break our laws and enter our country illegally, we need to secure the border and enforce the laws on the books.
From tacking reckless spending in Washington to protecting our local waterways and environment, I look forward to working on behalf of Southwest Florida to accomplish our shared goals and priorities. It is my distinct honor to continue representing the Suncoast in Congress in 2022 and help my constituents navigate the challenges that lie ahead.
Rep. Vern Buchanan represents Manatee and parts of Sarasota and Hillsborough Counties in the U.S. House of Representatives and is the co-chairman of the bipartisan Florida delegation. He is also the second-ranking Republican on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee.
