Representative Byron Donalds

Weekly Wrap-Up with

Congressman Byron Donalds

June 21, 2021

I spent last week in Washington, D.C., advocating for the values of the people of Southwest Florida, as the U.S. House of Representatives resumed Session.

This past week, President Biden met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. World leaders like Putin and Xi Jinping are testing the Biden-Harris Administration at every turn. But, so far, they are failing the test. From pushing for a global minimum tax to allowing the Russians to build the Nord Stream 2 pipeline in Europe and continuing to show weakness on our Southern Border, the world is eating our lunch. The President, Vice President, Climate Czar John Kerry, and Democrats loudly supported shutting down the Keystone XL Pipeline but are now silent as these same "climate advocates" sign off on constructing a Russian-backed pipeline in Europe. This President's pro-Russian energy policies prove what we already knew - his administration is not interested in solving climate change, but instead, they are interested in destroying America's energy sector. The Biden Administration is yet again revealing they put America last.

I was pleased to see Governor DeSantis take a strong stance against anti-Semitism in Florida. Last week, the Governor signed a bill requiring public schools to set aside a moment of silence for children to exercise their religious meditation or prayers and further Holocaust education. While so many are abandoning the Jewish community, Florida is reaffirming its allegiance to r religious freedom and all religious backgrounds. We are all proudly American, and I continue to support Israel - our greatest ally in the Middle East.

Please continue reading for a legislative update, events within the Southwest Florida community, and the most up-to-date guide on what's happening in Capitol Hill!

Legislative Updates

Last week, I spoke on the House floor of the United States House of Representatives in opposition to H.R. 1187 ESG Simplification Act of 2021. This legislation would mandate public companies to disclose diversity quotas, climate change efforts, and social justice initiatives to Washington bureaucrats, essentially furthering a leftist political agenda in the free markets. Watch my full speech below on the House floor regarding this potentially dangerous legislation:

I proudly authored a letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services requesting records of all taxpayer funds spent on illegal immigrants and the Biden Border Crisis. I'm thankful to my House Republican colleagues that Co-Signed this letter and are supportive of my efforts for maximum transparency for the American people. Click the link below to read the letter in its entirety.

Congressman Donalds Authors Letter to HHS Secretary Requesting Records of Taxpayer Funds Used in Border Crisis

I am a proud Co-Signer of Representative Angie Craig's (D-MN) letter to the Administrator of the SBA demanding answers about the SBA's slowed rollout of the Shuttered Venues Operators Grant program. The American people, and especially our small business owners, deserve answers as they have suffered horrendously from the pandemic, draconian lockdowns, and mandates. To read more about this bipartisan letter, click the link below:

Bipartisan Effort for Answers on Shuttered Venues Operators Grant Program

I proudly stood for the Constitutional rights of all Americans as a Co-Sponsor of the Firearm Due Process Act introduced by Representative Tom Emmer (R-MN). Law-abiding Americans should be able to question the Instant Criminal Background Check System when their rights are denied. To read more on this legislation, please click the link below.

Firearm Due Process Act

Juneteenth

This past week, President Joe Biden signed legislation marking June 19th, or Juneteenth, a national and federal holiday - celebrating the formal end of slavery in the United States and the emancipation and freedom of enslaved African-Americans.

From the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation by POTUS Abraham Lincoln in 1863 to the announcement that slavery has ended by General Granger in Galveston, TX, in 1865, these two monumental events spearheaded America’s long-overdue efforts to live up to our nation’s promise. Read my full statement on this historic moment for our nation.

Celebrating the Life & Legacy of

Raymond Trujillo

Last week, I had the extreme honor to celebrate the life of Raymond Trujillo, a fallen Collier County Sheriff's Officer and proud United States Marine. Raymond was a patriotic American who dutifully served the Southwest Florida community for more than 20 years. Watch the video below for my full remarks honoring the life and legacy of this hometown hero.

In the Media

Last week, I sat down with Dan Bongino, host of 'The Dan Bongino Show' where we discussed strong Black conservatives and how the left views this combination as a threat. For the full interview click the link below:

Rep. Byron Donalds Joins 'The Dan Bongino Show'

I spoke with Guy Benson, host of the 'Guy Benson Show' on Fox News Radio to discuss the Congressional Black Caucus' silence on my membership moving forward. Click below to hear my thoughts and my full remarks on this controversy.

Rep. Byron Donalds Calls Congressional Black Caucus Silence on Membership 'Childish'

ICYMI: I joined Laura Ingraham, host of the 'Ingraham Angle' on Fox News last week to discuss to discuss the dangerous teachings of Critical Race Theory and how it is harming our children, our military, and our nation. The radical left wants to teach our youth to hate this country so they can continue to push their socialist agenda without pushback - we can't let that happen. Watch my full interview by clicking the link below.

Rep. Byron Donalds Joins The Ingraham Angle to Discuss Critical Race Theory

Graduating Class of 2021

Given the unprecedented and challenging year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I am extremely proud to congratulate the Class of 2021 on their graduation! I wish our graduating seniors success as they venture on to their next chapter; their hard work and perseverance paid off. Congratulations and good luck!

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,

Byron Donalds Signature

Byron Donalds
Member of Congress