Blog: The Webster Wire: Keeping Government in Check
Statement
Dear Friend,
Last Tuesday, I met with local firefighters, police officers and state and federal emergency management personnel onsite at the Blue Rhino propane plant in Tavares. First responders worked quickly to secure the plant and protect the residents and property in the surrounding area. Were it not for their timely response, this incident could have been far worse. We are grateful for those women and men who place their lives on the line each day to ensure our safety. Also, our continued prayers are with those injured in the accident.
On Thursday, I hosted members of the Preeclampsia Foundation in Florida working to support and empower women and families affected by preeclampsia. Preeclampsia can occur during pregnancy and the postpartum period and can threaten both the life of mothers and their unborn children. Through my own family's experience with preeclampsia, I know the importance of diagnosis, management and prevention and I appreciate the role of the Preeclampsia Foundation in supporting research and improving outcomes for those affected in Central Florida and across the country.
It is an honor to represent you in Washington, and a pleasure to serve our community as your U.S. Representative. These are responsibilities that I take seriously, and I value hearing your thoughts and comments as I fight for common sense solutions to America's biggest challenges. If you're in the area, please join me in Polk City for coffee and a conversation this Friday, where I can listen to your ideas, share ways that our office can serve you, and provide an update on our work to stop government abuse.
Your servant,
Daniel Webster
Member of Congress
Constituent Corner:
A constituent preparing to travel to Taiwan to teach English contacted our office regarding her passport application which she needed in order to apply for a visa. Our office was able to contact the National Passport Center (NPC), which confirmed they had received the application and were processing the passport. Following our contact with the NPC, our constituents' passport was issued and sent to her via overnight mail. If you ever need assistance cutting through the red tape at a federal agency, contact my office at one of the numbers below. We are here to serve you.
If you have a friend, family member, or colleague who you think would like to receive the Webster Wire, please feel free to forward it their way. I always appreciate hearing your feedback. Please contact our Orange County office at 407-654-5705.
Legislative Update
In an earlier edition of this newsletter, I discussed the importance of holding IRS employees accountable for wrongfully targeting taxpayers -- including Central Floridians. In my weekly survey, an overwhelming number of readers responded that IRS employees should be penalized for these actions. By signing their tax return, taxpayers declare that the information provided is 'true, correct and complete' under penalty of law. Those same taxpayers have the right to demand the IRS act with the same integrity or face consequences. Unfortunately, targeting Americans based on their personal political beliefs is not a terminable offense. For this reason, I cosponsored the STOP IRS Act, which adds political targeting to the list of offenses that would bring immediate termination. The STOP IRS Act passed the House of Representatives on Wednesday.
I also supported the Keep the IRS Off Your Health Care Act of 2013 (H.R. 2009). Under President Obama's signature healthcare law, the IRS is authorized to scrutinize Americans' healthcare coverage and determine whether it meets government approval. Healthcare decisions are best left to patients and doctors, not the IRS. I'm pleased that the Keep the IRS Off Your Health Care Act of 2013 passed the House of Representatives this week by a vote of 239 to 176.
Over the past four years, the cost burden of regulations in terms of lost productivity and additional compliance costs has increased by more than $520 billion. This tidal wave of red tape from the current Administration makes it harder for small businesses to hire and it lowers take home pay for families.
By an overwhelming majority, respondents to our newsletter poll supported bringing major regulations with an economic impact of $100 million before Congress for approval.
Last week, the House of Representatives passed the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act of 2013 which requires congressional approval of major regulations. Included in the REINS Act was an amendment I offered that would close a costly regulatory loophole, known as guidance documents, that out-of-control bureaucrats use to evade oversight laws designed to protect citizens. My amendment will strengthen the REINS Act and result in clearly written legislation that improves the regulatory process and makes the federal government more accountable to the American people.
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