Representative Byron Donalds

Weekly Wrap-Up with

Congressman Byron Donalds

June 8, 2021

Last week, the House of Representatives stood in recess. This break in the legislative session provided my office & me ample time to travel throughout Southwest Florida to meet with constituents and local stakeholders. I was also able to visit our Southern Border for the second time since serving in Congress.

The abysmal May job report was released last week, revealing only 559,000 new jobs were added, to much disappointment of the Biden Administration.

Our economy faces a severe labor shortage due to continued government handouts, bailouts, and the Biden-supported lockdowns and restrictions. Yet, despite an unemployment rate of 5.8% in May, over 8 million job openings across the U.S. To assist our small business owners and grow our economy, the Biden Administration needs to encourage the opening of local economies, allow the free market to operate as it should, and halt handouts from the federal governments.

President Biden recently credited President Trump and his administration with the development of the COVID-19 vaccine. Operation Warp Speed was a tremendous success because of the Trump Administration's tireless work in developing, manufacturing, and distributing lifesaving vaccines. President Biden may say he 'inherited a mess' from the Trump Administration, but without the effective leadership of President Trump, the Biden Administration would be in no position to tout their vaccine achievements. The safety of Americans and the defeat of COVID-19 should not be a partisan issue, and I commend President Biden for recognizing President Trump's swift action in successfully combatting this deadly virus.

Dr. Fauci's leaked emails prove what we already knew - unwarranted mask mandates for healthy citizens have always been and continue to be political theatre. While the liberals continue to praise Dr. Fauci as the hero of COVID-19, it is clear he has lost all credibility. These emails are profoundly troubling and incriminating, and all Americans should be deeply concerned about Dr. Fauci's role throughout the pandemic and as a leader of a government agency. But, instead, Fauci worshippers shut down their state, schools, and economy in fear. Meanwhile, in Florida, Governor DeSantis chose Freedom over Fauci. We remained a free and open state allowing our small businesses to thrive, our children to learn in a classroom, and our citizens to embrace individual health decisions that best fit their families' needs - without draconian lockdowns and mandates.

Please continue reading to learn more about current legislation, a recap of my visit to the southern border, and how I'm working to advocate for conservative policies in #FL19!

Visit to the Southern Border

Last week, I traveled to the Rio Grande Valley area of our Southern Border in Texas. This trip marks the second time I've visited our border and makes two times more than the President or Vice President visited the border. From the moment I touched down in McAllen, Texas, the crisis was undeniable. While driving throughout the region, I witnessed areas of the unfinished border wall, CBP patrolling the streets, and even a middle-aged illegal immigrant man hitchhiking on the highway. Just as troubling were the Border Patrol and HHS facilities housing thousands of unaccompanied minors, family units, and adults. After speaking with leaders on the ground, our country has witnessed the most significant influx of illegal immigration, drug and human trafficking, and cartel influence seen on the border ever.

The heroes of CBP, ICE and state and local law enforcement officers, and residents are facing an unprecedented crisis, one in which the federal government is not doing anything to quell. The solution is simple. We must resort back to the policies of the Trump Administration that demanded the Mexican government hold illegal immigrants, build the wall, provide technology and manpower on the border, and stop incentivizing illegal immigration.

The root cause is the Biden-Harris Administration, and we need them to reverse their devastating policies that are making our nation less secure.

Legislative Updates

Last week, I joined forces with fellow Floridian colleague Senator Marco Rubio in Co-Signing a letter to Department of Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo urging her to approve the State of Florida's request to provide disaster assistance for fisheries that have been severely impacted by harmful algal blooms. The time for action is now, and my staff and I are hard at work to serve Southwest Florida's fishing industry.

Read the full letter by clicking the link below:

Rubio Urges Commerce Secretary to Approve Florida's Request for Disaster Assistance to Fisheries Impacted by Red Tide

In recognition of the start of the 2021 Hurricane Season, I partnered with fellow Floridian Congressional Delegation Member Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar in a letter to the Small Business Administration to ensure our small businesses are equipped with the necessary and appropriate resources in the event of a future disaster. Click the link below to read the letter in its entirety:

Representatives Maria Elvira Salazar & Byron Donalds Urge SBA Administrator to Provide Information on ODA Preparedness

I am proud to join Representative Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY) in Co-Sponsoring the Stars and Stripes Act that prohibits political flags, like Marxist BLM, from flying over our United States embassies overseas. The American flag is the only flag that should represent our great and free nation across the world. Click the link below to read more about the bill:

Malliotakis Introduces Bill Prohibiting Political Flags Like BLM from Flying Over U.S. Embassies

In the Media

Last week, I joined The National Desk from Texas during my trip to our Southern Border to describe the Border Crisis that I was experiencing firsthand.

Every month, drug cartels are making half a billion dollars trafficking people illegally into the US. This man-made disaster is created entirely by the Biden Admin. Watch my full interview below.

Last week, I sat down with Carlos Watson, host of 'The Carlos Watson Show', to discuss my journey into politics, how I found conservatism, and the responsibility of serving in Congress as a Black Republican. It's an enticing interview- click the link below for more on our discussion.

Rep. Byron Donalds: A Look Inside the Mind of a Black Republican

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

Weekly Wrap-Up with

Congressman Byron Donalds

Visit to the Southern Border

Legislative Updates

In the Media

Office Locations