Debbie Lesko

Mrs. LESKO

Mrs. LESKO. Mr. Speaker, yes, we have Luke Air Force Base in my district in Arizona. And it is not only a powerful base for the defense of our Nation; it is the largest training base for our fighter jets in the entire Nation. We have F-35s. Prior to that, we had F-16s. Just like everything else, just like a family, we need to know what our budget is long term, because we need to train our fighter pilots. We need to know how many hours of funding we have to do that. We need to have a reliable amount of money that we can depend on in order to enter contracts. So this whole continuing resolution thing, we really need to get past that. I was the senate appropriations chairman in Arizona, and I heard over and over and over again from businesses that: We just need something to rely on. We need something that is steady. And that is what we need. We need to pass a budget that really puts the defense of our country front and center because, after all, that is Congress' number one job.

Mrs. LESKO

Mrs. LESKO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4760, the Securing America's Future Act, vital legislation to the State of Arizona. My constituents back home know all too well how desperately we need our borders secured. I signed on as a cosponsor of this bill because it will fund a wall and other protective infrastructure, close the gaping loopholes in our immigration laws, and finally secure our southern border, ending this problem once and for all. It is disappointing that with all of the rhetoric coming from my colleagues across the aisle, they still refuse to come to the negotiating table and work toward a legislative solution. Our broken immigration system cannot continue to be ignored. I want to thank Chairman McCaul and Chairman Goodlatte for their work on this much-needed legislation, and I urge all of my colleagues to support this bill.

Mrs. LESKO

Mrs. LESKO. Madam Speaker, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act has ignited a fire that the American economy hasn't seen in decades. The tax cuts and reforms passed by Congress have made a real impact on the lives of Americans across the country and to the people in Arizona's Eighth Congressional District. The tax cuts have allowed small business owners like Mike and Colleen Sutter to reinvest in their employees. They have owned a small business for the last 27 years in El Mirage in my district. Due to the tax cuts package, Mike and Colleen were able to give across-the-board pay increases and bonuses to their employees, including a $3 an hour increase for hourly workers. This historic tax reform legislation has also had a huge impact on those living on fixed incomes. Arizona Public Service Electric Company cut its power rates by $119 million because of the tax cuts. These lower costs help seniors all over America and in my district. With a simpler and fairer Tax Code, businesses are finally able to hire again, more than 1 million new jobs have been created, and there are more jobs available than there are unemployed Americans. Our Nation is in business again. Americans are seeing more money in their paychecks, a reduced tax burden, and a roaring economy. The tax cuts have meant real dollars going back into the pockets of small businesses and families. I thank my colleague from Arizona (Mr. Schweikert) for his commitment to commonsense tax reform.

Mrs. LESKO

Mrs. LESKO. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank you and the Members of this distinguished body for welcoming me. Representing the people of Arizona's Eighth Congressional District is truly an honor, and I am eager to work with you all to ensure that we accomplish what my constituents sent me here to do: secure our borders, strengthen our military, and create a strong economy. Earlier today, I met with Mike and Colleen Sutter from my district. Mike and Colleen have been small-business owners for over 27 years in Arizona. Due to the recent tax cut package, Mike and Colleen were able to give across-the-board pay increases and bonuses to their employees, including a $3 an hour increase for hourly employees. The tax cuts have meant real dollars getting into the pockets of Americans and small businesses.

Mrs. LESKO

Mrs. LESKO. Mr. Speaker, I have lost my voice from the allergies here in Washington, D.C., but I am truly honored to be here. Before I comment, I just wanted to introduce my family that is up in the gallery: my husband, Joe Lesko--thank you, Joe--my son, Jared Lesko; my daughter, Samantha Lesko; her fiance, Brandon Stealth; and my brother, Roger Lorenz. I am truly honored to be here to join you, and I look forward to working with you. I want to say to my constituents at home: Thank you so much for the privilege of your vote and for sending me here to Congress. I am thankful, and God bless you.