Last week, I witnessed firsthand why Congress has a terrible approval rating and why our body is labeled a "do-nothing Congress." During a pandemic, when millions of Americans are out of work and struggling to make ends meet, Democrat leadership spent most of the week engaging in partisan games non of which were aimed at benefiting the American people. While we were actually working, Speaker Pelosi brought a multi-trillion-dollar budget to the floor through the partisan process of reconciliation. Politicians in Washington can not continue to operate as if America's treasury dollar grows off trees.
Navigating throughout Congress in the minority party will not be easy, but I did not come to Washington to sit on my hands. Every day I serve as your Congressman, I will not take for granted. While in session, I joined my fellow members on the Oversight and Reform and Small Business committees for our first committee meetings of the 177th Congress where we worked to find common-sense solutions to the problems facing the small business owners and the efficiency of our government. Also, I took part in my first speech on the House floor, where I called on members across the aisle to object to the budget reconciliation process that subverts half of America's voices. I also sent a letter to the United States Department of Homeland Security calling on Secretary Mayorkas and the Biden Administration to halt any plans to vaccinate illegal immigrants. Florida's 19th Congressional District is taking center stage in our nation's capital, and I am proud to represent all of you.
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In honor of Black History Month, and in a call for unity, I penned an Op-Ed on the significance of Black History in America. The Op-Ed was featured in the Washington Examiner. You can read the Op-Ed in its entirety below:
"February marks the beginning of a historic time that recognizes black Americans' contributions to our nation's great story. While we dedicate this month as Black History Month, the black community's impact on America is appreciated and recognized endlessly.
As one of three black Republicans in Congress and the first black American to represent my district, my rise from inner-city Brooklyn to the halls of Congress is living proof of our great nation's promise. Although the founding of our constitutional republic did not live up to the words of our founding documents, we have progressed as a nation to honor these sacred words: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness."
America's storied history is woven together by the significant contributions of the black community. From the western shores of Africa to the shores of America, through the atrocity of slavery and the continued suppression during segregation and Jim Crow, our history, while at times very dark and tumultuous, represents the grit and resilience embodied by generations of black Americans.
We can celebrate Black History Month today because of the fortitude and fearless conviction of patriots such as Sojourner Truth, who risked her life to recruit black troops for the Union Army, and through the powerful words of W.E.B Du Bois. As black Americans continued to fight for their rights, it was the teachings and leadership of the "First Lady of the Struggle," Mary McLeod Bethune, that educated and empowered countless black Americans.
While black athletes fought to play on a level playing field in professional sports, it was the perseverance of Jackie Robinson that made it a reality. When blacks faced unequal justice under the law for decades, it took the will of Associate Justice Clarence Thomas, a descendant of slaves, to rise and become only the second black man ever to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court.
As a nation, we have come so far, but that does not mean our work is finished. As an elected official, I continue to strive to enhance and empower my community with policies that end generational poverty and bring forth actions that enable, spur, and encourage a pathway to the American Dream.
By prioritizing access to capital initiatives, criminal justice reform, school choice, standing up for life, encouraging fathers in the home, and economic freedom, the black community can and will reach its highest potential. During Black History Month, we pay homage to those who dedicated their lives to advancing the lives of black Americans and reaffirm our commitment to remaining the land of the free and the home of the brave."
Byron Donalds represents Florida's 19th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.
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On Wednesday, February 3rd, Congress convened to debate the COVID-19 budget resolution proposed by President Biden and Senate and House Democrat leaders. I was honored to give a speech on the floor of the United States House of Representatives for the first time.
“This budget resolution is not about economics, and it’s not about COVID-19, it’s not about helping our schools reopen. This budget resolution is pure politics. It is an opportunity to push through an agenda through budget reconciliation,” Mr. Donalds criticized the fiscally irresponsible $2.1 trillion budget proposal, “If you want to help state and local governments take care of their revenue problems, they should open up.”
Watch the speech in its entirety below:
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Being only one of three African-American Republicans currently serving in Congress, I was honored to join Senator Tim Scott and Congressman Burgess Owens in a letter to the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History to properly honor the life and legacy of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.
"As a Black man who has a profound respect for the contributions Justice Thomas has propitiated for generations to come, this museum must encapsulate his life as it does for hundreds of other monumental Black figures," I wrote, stating that, the museum "falls short" of representing Justice Thomas' "achievements and life compared to his counterpart, the Honorable Justice Thurgood Marshall."
I would like to thank Kay C. James, Paris Dennard, Bruce Levell, Dr. Alveda King, and Marc Little in supporting this letter in this effort.
Read the article on Fox News here: 'Black GOP lawmakers call on National Museum of African American History to 'honor' Justice Clarence Thomas'
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On February 4th, I joined Fox News' America Reports with John Roberts and Sandra Smith to discuss the fiscally irresponsible COVID-19 budget package proposed by President Biden and Democrat leaders on Capitol Hill.
Watch the full clip below:
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The Biden Administration has set a troubling standard as to who receives a COVID-19 vaccine. In the first few weeks of the Biden presidency, we have continuously seen the American people be put last. Because of this, last week I sent a letter to Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas calling on the Department any effort to prioritize vaccinating illegal migrant populations over the American people. Click here to read the letter:
Congressman Donalds Pens Letter to Secretary of Homeland Security
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As a new member of the House Committee on Government Oversight and Reform, am excited to join the Civil Rights and Civil Liberties & Economic and Consumer Policy subcommittees. A good government requires a commitment to expose waste, fraud, and abuse, and I will ensure Washington is working for you.
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On February 3rd, Governor Ron DeSantis announced that $75 million has been award to 30 communities throughout Florida in partnership with the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity's Rebuild Florida Critical Facility Hardening Program. The program was created to increase the resiliency of essential facilities that serve a purpose of public safety for local communities. Below is the breakdown of the awards allotted for Southwest Florida:
- Collier County ($2,123,100) – harden the Immokalee Sports Complex by replacing the roof, HVAC systems, and upgrading to wind-resistant standards.
- Collier County ($767,550) – install a new roof, windows, doors, and install a permanent generator for the Immokalee Branch Library that serves as a disaster recovery center.
- Collier County ($2,819,107) – replace the roof, windows, and doors; elevate electrical and mechanical equipment; and install a new generator at the Collier County Golden Gate Senior Center, which operates as a disaster recovery center for vulnerable populations
- Lee County ($4,560,000) – install new roll-down shutters, replace and harden the roof, and replace seals and windows of the Hertz Arena, which serves as a public shelter during a disaster.
- Lee County ($2,786,415) – harden and upgrade the roof structure for the Alico Arena at Florida Gulf Coast University, which serves as a public shelter during a disaster.
- Collier County ($216,552) – harden the windows and doors at Collier County’s Marion E. Fether Medical Center.
- Lee County ($2,820,983) – harden several roofing systems, and secure the HVAC systems of Lee County’s Waste to Energy facility.
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Serving the hardworking men and women of Florida's 19th Congressional District is my distinct honor and privilege. It's time Washington works for our community's values, and every day I will always strive to ensure your government is working for you.
Sincerely,
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| Byron Donalds
Member of Congress |
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