Weekly Wrap-Up with Congressman Byron Donalds – May 20, 2024

Last week, my office was hard at work on Capitol Hill holding the radicals in the Biden administration accountable and delivering upon meaningful solutions on behalf of our Southwest Florida community, the State of Florida, and the American people.   I began the week by introducing "H.Res. 1218 – The Southwest Florida Law Enforcement Support Resolution" to recognize the unseen sacrifices and countless contributions of the Southwest Florida law enforcement community. There are nearly 4,000 law enforcement officers throughout Lee and Collier counties, who maintain an unwavering commitment to keep our Southwest Florida community safe. This National Police Week, I am proud to honor these brave men and women who work tirelessly to enforce the rule of law with consistent integrity and valor on behalf of our community.   On Wednesday evening, the House passed my bill, H.R. 7530 – The "D.C. Criminal Reform to Immediately Make Everyone Safer (D.C. CRIMES) Act" with a bipartisan vote of 225-181. Our nation's capital is experiencing a historic crime wave as a result of progressive, soft-on-crime policy. This man-made public safety crisis is unacceptable. Congress has a constitutional responsibility to oversee D.C. and it is imperative that we act quickly to assert our control when local government fails to do its job. The American people deserve a safe capital city and I will not stand idly-by as it descends into chaos. I am proud to receive the bipartisan support of my colleagues and look forward to the Senate's consideration of this important proposal.   Also on Wednesday, the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee advanced my bill, H.R. 5528 – "The Safe and Smart Federal Purchasing Act" out of committee and to the floor of the U.S. Senate with a unanimous, bipartisan vote of 10-0. As a member of the House Oversight Committee, ensuring proper governance and efficiency in federal operations are paramount concerns of mine. Federal procurement processes—although often overlooked—are critical to the operation of our government and necessitate comprehensive assessment. Simply put, affordability considerations and associated national security risks of procurement procedures must be thoroughly evaluated. I am proud to once again receive the unanimous support of my colleagues on this proposal and look forward to its successful passage on the floor of the U.S. Senate.   Later in the week, I introduced legislation to revamp ICE's Alternatives to Detention (ATD) program. Biden purposely and systematically broke our immigration system by executive action. As a result, there are now more than ten million unvetted illegal aliens that have entered our nation. These people should be held in detention facilities upon entering the United States, however, because Biden has dismantled ICE's ATD program, they are all-too-often released into our country's interior and subsequently lost. This is why it's critical that we utilize biometrics and GPS technology to ensure that law enforcement can pinpoint the exact location of illegal aliens prior to deportation. I am proud to join Senator Hagerty in offering this commonsense proposal on behalf of the American people.   I then introduced my 80th piece of legislation of the 118th Congress. This bill condemns anti-Semitism at institutions of higher-education across America and demands that funding is stripped from schools that fail to comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The vile scourge of anti-Semitism that has swept across our nation's campuses is unacceptable and must be strongly condemned. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 clearly prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin, and any American institutions of higher learning that refuse to comply with this federal statute should be stripped of their funding. Protecting the rights of all Americans is not up for debate. It is our duty. Florida has one of America's highest senior populations, but receives well-below the national average in LIHEAP funding, and the House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies has the power to change this unacceptable reality. Last week, I led a bipartisan initiative alongside Congressman Jared Moskowitz (D-FL) demanding that Florida receives its fair-share of Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding.   Furthermore, I led an initiative to demand answers from Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign CFO Gary Gensler about his potential lies under oath in the House Financial Services Committee. Gensler has repeatedly testified that he was unaware of any Clinton campaign payments for the infamous Steele Dossier, however, as campaign CFO, he was tasked with establishing and maintaining the financial controls of the political operation. I request answers by June 1, 2024.   As your Congressman, you have my commitment to work on your behalf and restore order and proper governance to The People's House.

Legislative Updates

Donalds Recognizes The Unseen Sacrifices And Countless Contributions Of Southwest Florida Law Enforcement Officers

WASHINGTON – Congressman Byron Donalds (R-FL) introduced legislation to recognize the unseen sacrifices and countless contributions of the Southwest Florida law enforcement community. "H.Res. 1218 – The Southwest Florida Law Enforcement Support Resolution" is the 78th piece of legislation introduced by Congressman Donalds during the 118th Congress. Congressman Donalds released the following statement: "There are nearly 4,000 law enforcement officers throughout Lee and Collier counties, who maintain an unwavering commitment to keep our Southwest Florida community safe. This National Police Week, I am proud to honor these brave men and women who work tirelessly to enforce the rule of law with consistent integrity and valor on behalf of our community." BACKGROUND: There are approximately–– 308 law enforcement officers serving in the Cape Coral Police Department 300 law enforcement officers serving in the Fort Myers Police Department 29 law enforcement officers serving in the City of Sanibel Police Department 48 law enforcement officers serving in the Naples Police Department 43 law enforcement officers serving in the Marco Island Police Department 1,800 law enforcement officers serving in the Lee County Sheriff's Office 1,300 law enforcement officers serving in the Collier County Sheriff's Office 155 law enforcement officers serving in Florida Highway Patrol Troop F Headquartered in Fort Myers BILL ACTIONS: Expresses sincere appreciation and gratitude for the brave men and women that serve as law enforcement officers in Southwest Florida Appreciates the unwavering contributions, efforts, and dedication that law enforcement officers in Southwest Florida provide to keep the Southwest Florida community, and its visitors, safe from harm Acknowledges that law enforcement officers may face danger while selflessly carrying out their public duty Recognizes that law enforcement officers are heroes within the Southwest Florida community MORE: See graphics rollout HERE. See full text of "The Southwest Florida Law Enforcement Support Resolution" HERE.

Donalds Celebrates The 76th Anniversary Of Israeli Independence

WASHINGTON – Congressman Byron Donalds (R-FL) released the following statement in acknowledgment of Yom Ha'atzmaut–the 76th anniversary of Israeli independence: "Today we celebrate the 76th anniversary of our friend and ally Israel's independence. Forged in fire and currently under existential threat from barbaric Hamas terrorists, the ancient and ancestral homeland of the Jewish people has persevered against all odds, and is a beacon of hope, freedom, and democracy along the Mediterranean Coast."

Donalds Bill Passes House To Combat The Progressive, Soft-On-Crime Sentencing Policies Plaguing Our Nation's Capital

WASHINGTON – This evening, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 7530 – The "D.C. Criminal Reform to Immediately Make Everyone Safer (D.C. CRIMES) Act" with a bipartisan vote of 225-181. This legislation prohibits the Council of the District of Columbia from pursuing progressive, soft-on-crime policy and seeks to utilize Congressional authority in order to reduce the skyrocketing crime in our nation's capital. H.R. 7530 is sponsored by Congressman Byron Donalds (R-FL) and is the congressman's fifteenth piece of legislation that has passed the U.S. House of Representatives during the 118th Congress. "Our nation's capital is experiencing a historic crime wave as a result of progressive, soft-on-crime policy," said Congressman Donalds. "This man-made public safety crisis is unacceptable. Congress has a constitutional responsibility to oversee the District of Columbia and it is imperative that we act quickly to assert our control when local government fails to do its job. The American people deserve a safe capital city and I will not stand idly-by as it descends into chaos. I am proud to receive the bipartisan support of my colleagues and look forward to the Senate's consideration of this important proposal." "Democrats' soft-on-crime policies have significantly changed policing across the country – and some of the worst consequences can been seen in our nation's capital," said Speaker Johnson. "Congress has a responsibility to act in the interest of the District of Columbia and Congressman Byron Donalds's DC CRIMES Act will address the persistent levels of violent crime in Washington, D.C." More: Video of House Floor Debate Over H.R. 7530 – The "D.C. Criminal Reform to Immediately Make Everyone Safer (D.C. CRIMES) Act" HERE. Video of House Floor Passage of H.R. 7530 – The "D.C. Criminal Reform to Immediately Make Everyone Safer (D.C. CRIMES) Act" HERE. Social Media Summary Graphics Roll-Out HERE. Read the Full Text of the Bill HERE.

Donalds Fights To Strengthen Tracking Of Illegal Aliens

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Byron Donalds (R-FL) introduced legislation to revamp U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Alternatives to Detention (ATD) program. Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN) has introduced the companion bill in the U.S. Senate. "The Reshape ATD Act" is the 79th piece of legislation proposed by Congressman Donalds during the 118th Congress and requires the utilization of both biometric technology and GPS technology to ensure that law enforcement can pinpoint the exact location of illegal aliens. House cosponsors of the legislation include Representatives Barry Moore (R-AL), Andy Biggs (R-AZ), Paul Gosar (R-AZ), Jay Obernolte (R-CA), Lauren Boebert (R-CO), Andrew Clyde (R-GA), Mary Miller (R-IL), Clay Higgins (R-LA), Nancy Mace (R-SC), William Timmons (R-SC), Wesley Hunt (R-TX), August Pfluger (R-TX), and Troy Nehls (R-TX). Senate cosponsors of the legislation Rick Scott (R-FL), JD Vance (R-OH), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Steve Daines (R-MT), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), and Ted Cruz (R-TX). "Joe Biden purposely and systematically broke our immigration system by executive action," said Rep. Donalds (R-FL). "As a result, there are now more than ten million unvetted illegal aliens that have entered our nation. These people should be held in detention facilities upon entering the United States, however, because Joe Biden has dismantled ICE's ATD program, they are all-too-often released into our country's interior and subsequently lost. This is why it's critical that we utilize biometrics and GPS technology to ensure that law enforcement can pinpoint the exact location of illegal aliens prior to deportation. I am proud to join Senator Hagerty in offering this commonsense proposal on behalf of the American people." "The Biden Administration has allowed a tidal wave of illegal aliens to come across our southern border, which has created an unprecedented national security and humanitarian crisis," said Sen. Hagerty (R-TN). "Yet rather than use all available tools to address the issue, Biden's DHS is refusing to enforce the laws already on the books and making clear efforts to dismantle detention and allow illegal immigrants to roam free throughout the U.S. by abusing ATD. I'm pleased to introduce legislation to require the Administration to combat record-high illegal immigration and help secure our southern border." "Under the guise of limited space in detention facilities, ICE has been implementing alternatives to detention such as 'Catch and Release' that have financially burdened our local communities and law enforcement," said Rep. Obernolte (R-CA). "The Administration cannot continue to sit idly by while the Adelanto ICE Processing Center is housing only 5 illegal detainees but has the capacity to house over 1,900.  That is why I'm proud to cosponsor Rep. Donalds's legislation and help our country securely detain and process the immigrants streaming across our southern border." "Securing our southern border is only half of the solution to the Biden Administration's intentional illegal invasion," said Rep. Clyde (R-GA). "We desperately need a historic mass deportation effort to remove the millions of illegal aliens currently residing in our country, which is why I'm proud to support Rep. Donalds' legislation to vastly improve the ATD program. This bill provides commonsense solutions to effectively process and track illegal aliens, which will greatly bolster detention and deportation efforts." "This bill enforces our laws without compromise, shutting down the loopholes that have permitted non-citizens and illegal aliens to evade the strict standards we demand of every American," said. Rep. Mace (R-SC). "Our commitment is clear: uphold the rule of law, without exception." "The Biden Administration is allowing millions of illegal aliens to come into our country and disappear," said Rep. Moore (R-AL). "This legislation protects American families by forcing Biden's Department of Homeland Security to fill their detention beds instead of releasing illegals on to our streets and actually track the illegals they do release." "Criminals are flocking to the United States fully aware that they will be released into our interior without consequences," said Rep. Nehls (R-TX). "The absolute bare minimum we should be doing is tracking where they're going. Look at what happened to Laken Riley and all the other innocent children who have been victims of violent illegal alien crime this year. I can only imagine that some of their lives would have been spared if these sickening individuals were tracked. I'm proud to join my friend and colleague, Congressman Byron Donalds, on this legislation. If Joe Biden truly cares about the safety of the American people, he will begin tracking these criminal illegal aliens." BACKGROUND: President Trump's border policy was only to release aliens at the Southwest Border under "very exigent circumstances." President Trump's Executive Order 13767 titled "Border Security and Immigration Enforcement Improvements" instructed DHS to "ensure the detention of all aliens apprehended for violations of immigration law pending the outcome of their removal proceedings." As of January 27th, 2024, 189,780 individuals were enrolled in the ATD Program. In contrast, 36,931 individuals are currently occupying ICE detention beds. Detention beds funded in FY23—34,000 beds; Detention beds funded in FY24—41,500 beds As of May 2022, approximately 187,000 ISAP enrollees were monitored using a smartphone app called SmartLINK, while the use of GPS ankle monitors declined to less than 23,000. BILL ACTIONS: This bill terminates and defunds the Case Management Pilot Program (CMPP) & the Young Adult Case Management Program (YACMP)—all funding will then be transferred to fund additional detention beds. The DHS Secretary shall place all individuals currently enrolled in such programs in detention facilities. This bill requires the DHS Secretary to fill all available detention beds before allowing individuals to participate in ATD. This bill reaffirms that ICE has complete authority over aliens on the non-detained docket (including those enrolled in ATD)—without interference from DHS's Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties. This bill requires that all Intensive Supervision Appearance Program (ISAP) participants be tracked via GPS technology throughout the individual's entire immigration proceeding. This bill makes the Family Expedited Removal Management (FERM) program mandatory for all family units that cross into the United States illegally. This bill requires ICE to immediately issue public notice & notify local law enforcement when an alien absconds from ATD. This bill prohibits DHS from placing an alien on ATD if they plan to move to a sanctuary jurisdiction. This bill requires all ISAP participants to "check in" with the DHS Secretary or face immediate deportation ad infinitum. This bill requires that individuals who seek to be enrolled in ATD submit biometric information in order to participate.   MORE: See New York Post Exclusive HERE. See graphics rollout HERE. Read the Donalds–House legislation in its entirety HERE.

ICYMI: "Band-Aids, Botox, And Broken Bones: CFPB Wants You To Pay For Other People's Medical Bills"

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Byron Donalds (R-FL) published the following op-ed entitled, "Band-Aids, Botox, and broken bones: CFPB wants you to pay for other people's medical bills" in the Washington Examiner. The op-ed details a new rule that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is expected to propose, which would force you to pay for other people's medical bills. Read the full op-ed here or below: Band-Aids, Botox, and broken bones: CFPB wants you to pay for other people's medical bills Representative Byron Donalds (R-FL) Washington Examiner – May 17, 2024 As Americans across the country grapple with economic challenges, such as finding affordable housing, dealing with rising costs from inflation, and managing increased debt from credit cards and medical debt, federal bureaucrats in Washington, D.C., continue to propose misguided solutions to these very real problems. One agency in particular, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, seems determined to make things worse for the American consumer. Instead of directing its unlimited funding and ever-growing staff — both of which result from its single, unelected director structure — toward critical solutions to the financial woes plaguing Americans, CFPB is trying to regulate these challenges away. This approach is ineffective and will ultimately make things worse by adding even more red tape to the market and penalizing hardworking consumers striving for fiscal responsibility. For example, the CFPB is expected to propose a new rule related to credit reporting — or the lack thereof. This rewrite of the Fair Credit Reporting Act — a law that was passed by and can only be revised by Congress — proposes to eliminate all credit reporting of medical debt. The CFPB is also considering disallowing lenders from taking into account owed medical debt when underwriting loans.  On paper this may sound positive, since there is of course deep empathy for Americans with medical expenses. However, in reality there remain a host of details the CFPB has not ironed out. Moreover, unintended consequences of the rule proposals have not received proper consideration. As someone with a background in the financial services industry, I can tell you that operating with incomplete information carries significant negative repercussions. If a bank, credit union, or other lender does not know that a specific consumer owes medical debt, or if that debt is not reflected in their credit score, they might unwittingly approve a car loan that the consumer genuinely cannot afford. Hiding this medical debt from a credit score does not make it go away. Concealing medical debt from a credit score does not erase its existence; it remains legally owed and could lead to legal action. Consumers, however, may be led believe that when credit reporting does not impact underwriting considerations, repayment of medical debt is a voluntary choice. It is not — and failing to consider medical debt when taking out other loans could plunge consumers into an even more precarious situation. They may end up grappling with outstanding medical debt while simultaneously becoming burdened by an unaffordable loan, increasing the likelihood of default. Compounding this, the CFPB has failed to clearly define "medical debt." A broad interpretation of this term could include cosmetic procedures charged to credit cards — think Botox — or even minor expenses such as $6 cough drops from CVS. Without precise guidelines from the CFPB, refraining from reporting anything remotely associated with the word "medical" becomes a daunting task. This lack of clarity poses a significant threat to the value of credit reports and severely hampers lenders' ability to make informed decisions when extending credit. Consequently, the overall cost of credit will rise for everyone, and lenders will be disincentivized to service low-income borrowers, ultimately impacting those with the fewest options. Furthermore, under this rule medical providers will find themselves at the back of the line for payment. This will lead to more upfront costs for copays at medical facilities such as hospitals, urgent cares, and emergency rooms. It might even prompt some consumers to reconsider the value of medical insurance altogether. These are just a small handful of the many consequences that could result from just one of the CFPB's proposed "solutions." What Americans really need is greater emphasis on financial literacy, business incentives to invest in underserved communities, and innovation that facilitates broader credit access. And while improved policies related to medical care and other financial challenges, particularly for low-income Americans, are undoubtedly necessary, it remains the responsibility of Congress, in consultation with their constituents, to enact any significant changes — not partisan bureaucrats who answer to no one. Byron Donalds is a U.S. representative for Florida's 19th Congressional District and serves on the House Financial Services Committee.

Donalds Offers Schools A Choice: Protect Jewish Students Or Have Your Funding Slashed

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Byron Donalds (R-FL) introduced legislation condemning anti-Semitism at institutions of higher-education across America and demanding that funding is stripped from schools that fail to comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The "Condemning The Anti-Semitic Movement Pushed Upon Our Students (CAMPUS) Act" is the 80th piece of legislation introduced by Congressman Donalds during the 118th Congress and is co-sponsored by Representatives Cory Mills (R-FL) and Randy Weber (R-TX). Specifically, the legislation strongly condemns the rise of anti-Semitism on American campuses, urges schools to comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and demands that funding is cut from schools that refuse to comply with the landmark statute. Congressman Donalds released the following statement: "The vile scourge of anti-Semitism that has swept across our nation's campuses is unacceptable and must be strongly condemned. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 clearly prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin, and any American institutions of higher learning that refuse to comply with this federal statute should be stripped of their funding. Protecting the rights of all Americans is not up for debate. It is our duty." MORE: See graphics rollout HERE. See full text of "Condemning The Anti-Semitic Movement Pushed Upon Our Students (CAMPUS) Act" HERE.