Newsletter: The Webster Wire - A Clear Violation

Statement

Dear Friend,

Last week, our nation celebrated President's Day, where we honor those who have given of themselves to lead the greatest nation on the face of the earth. I have been privileged to meet several presidents, including welcoming President Ronald Reagan to Florida on July 4th 1984.

n Tuesday, I spent the day in Polk County, where I met Cadet Colonel Jeremy King and presented him with a certificate of Congressional recognition. A student at Polk State College, Cadet Colonel King recently received the General Carl A. Spaatz Award, which is the highest honor a Civil Air Patrol cadet can achieve, and is bestowed on those who demonstrate excellence in leadership, character, fitness, and aerospace education.

While in Polk County, I also:
- Personally donated a flag flown over the Capitol to hang in the gym at Polk State College
- Toured Gator Pressure Cleaning and Custom Painting in Winter Haven
- Stopped by Kingdom Walk to talk with their Christian marketplace group
- Received an update at the Winter Haven Airport
- Toured Growers Fertilizer in Lake Alfred
- Sat down with Bettie Biggar and some of her friends at Biggar Antiques
- Met Paul Sigman at Sigman Earthscape Store
- Ate dinner with Chef Matthew Arbuthnot at his Cornerstone Grill

This year, the Orlando Regional Medical Center's Air Care Team is celebrating their 30th anniversary of providing quality critical-care services in Central Florida. It was a privilege to recognize their work, thank the team, and take a tour of the helipad at ORMC. Orlando Health has recently renovated portions of the hospital. They gave me with a tour of their trauma bay, specialized burn facilities, and updated rooms that provide quality care to patients and comfort to friends and family.

On Thursday, it was an honor to commemorate the ultimate sacrifice of Specialist Ronald Gaffney during the Groveland Memorial Highway Designation Ceremony on his behalf. Family, classmates, local officials, and community members gathered together to commemorate the life of Specialist Gaffney and his service to our country during the Vietnam War.

Some of the other visits I made in Lake County included:
- Delivering a flag to the Caribbean American Association of Lake County to use at an upcoming charity event
- Honoring Bill and Carol Stomp for their 50th wedding anniversary
- Touring Lou's Place and Granny's Nannies, an adult day care center in Clermont
- Participating in the 60th Birthday Bash for the South Lake Rotary Club

The Orlando Business Journal hosted a breakfast forum on Friday morning entitled, "The Business of Transportation." As a member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, I was the keynote speaker, and provided my thoughts on the impact of transportation in Central Florida. I discussed the need for funding, the source of funding, and the process of funding as we seek to invest in transportation projects that will create jobs, spur our economy, and generate a higher quality of life.

I stopped by several other locations in Orlando last week, including:
- The Dr. Phillips Performing Art Center
- Veterans Assembled electronics (VAe)'s new training facility
- Heart of Florida United Way
- The Orange County Mayor's Veterans Advisory Council meeting
- Participating in the Pioneer Days celebration and 100th anniversary of Pine Castle

Legislative Update:

My primary concern with the President's executive overreach on immigration is that it represents a clear violation of the jurisdictional checks and balances that make up the very bedrock of our governing system. Last week, a federal judge blocked the President's immigration policies and ruled that the President did not follow the law with his action.

Last month, the House passed a bill that would approve the necessary appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security, while prohibiting money from being used to carry out the President's executive overreach. Last week, I sent a letter to Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, requesting him to exert his influence in lifting the block that Senate Democrats have placed on the bill and at least allow for it to be heard on the Senate Floor.

I signed on to another letter urging the Senate Judiciary Committee to reject the nomination of Ms. Loretta Lynch for Attorney General of the United States. During her Congressional testimony, Ms. Lynch did not deny her apparent support for the President's overreaching executive orders, and never even questioned the legality of his actions. It is the duty of an Attorney General to uphold and defend the Constitution, not provide cover for a President's unilateral policies.

Your servant,

Daniel Webster
Member of Congress

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