Dear Friends!
As we begin the new year and the 117th Congress, I am excited to continue working on behalf of Florida’s 22nd congressional district.
Last year, we were presented with many new challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic has taken so much from Floridians and continues to disrupt our lives. Our communities need urgent assistance to help get them back on their feet. In Congress, I will continue to support legislation that will facilitate recovery efforts throughout South Florida.
With the COVID-19 vaccine distribution beginning across the nation, many of us are hopeful that we can return to a sense of normalcy soon. However, until the vaccine is made accessible to everyone, it is important to continue to follow CDC guidelines to ensure your safety. For recent updates on the virus, please visit CDC.gov.
One in twenty seniors in the U.S. is a target of fraud schemes, costing them at least $36.5 billion per year. Yet, the National Adult Protective Services Association has found that only 1 in 44 seniors actually report that they are victims of a fraud scheme. Recently the House passed my bill, the Seniors Fraud Prevention Act, that would help protect seniors and their families from becoming the victims of fraudulent schemes designed to steal their assets. I was proud to work with Rep. Buchanan, Rep. Peter Welch, Senator Klobuchar, and Senator Collins to introduce this legislation that would create an office within the Federal Trade Commission charged with tracking scams, educating and alerting seniors to new scams, and establishing a more effective complaint system to ensure reports of fraud are quickly addressed by the appropriate law enforcement agency.
Please continue to practice social distancing and wear a mask when in public. Stay safe and have a happy new year!