From Congressman Neal Dunn, Florida’s Second Congressional District
July was an amazing time to reflect on what it means to be an American. I attended Independence Day celebrations across North Florida and was struck by the overwhelming display of patriotism everywhere I went. Our country has become more divided than ever. That was abundantly clear just a few days ago when an assassin’s bullet nearly took the life of our former president.
The assassination attempt on former President Trump was heinous and unacceptable. I am incredibly grateful that former President Trump survived this terrifying incident. He has always been a fighter and remains resilient even under the worst circumstances. But this sort of thing should never have happened.
Let me be perfectly clear, there is no place in our society for political violence. Not since the days of Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King has America seen this level of violence in our political system. The divisive and hateful comments directed toward one’s political opponents must end, or tragic events like this will continue to occur. I hope everyone will join me in condemning this act in the strongest possible terms so we can work together to unite our country.
The American people deserve a government that works for them, not against them. That is why I’m proud to be a co-sponsor of the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, also known as the SAVE Act, to ensure the American people, and only the American people, have their voices heard in our elections.
The SAVE Act requires states to obtain proof of citizenship when an individual registers to vote and requires states to remove all non-citizens from their voter rolls. This is a crucial step toward preserving the sanctity of the ballot box and ensuring no one tries to tamper with our election results.
It is unacceptable for individuals who are not citizens of this country to have a say in our elections. We must protect the rights of American citizens and ensure that their voices are not diluted by those who do not have the right to participate in our democratic system.
Our democracy depends on the trust and confidence of the American people, and we must do everything we can to protect the integrity of our elections. I will continue to fight for election integrity and work towards ensuring that only eligible citizens have the right to vote.
This month, I also voted for crucial legislation to protect women’s and girls’ sports. In July 2022, the Department of Education released a final Title IX rule that would remove female-only spaces such as locker rooms and bathrooms from public schools while allowing biological males to compete in women’s sports.
Title IX was meant to preserve opportunities for women on the sports field, not take them away. As a physician, I am incredibly concerned that the Administration would ignore basic scientific facts and sideline countless women to promote its views on gender.
That’s why my colleagues and I are taking a stand on this rule by passing a resolution under the Congressional Review Act to block Biden’s change to Title IX and preserve opportunities for women and girls. This resolution passed earlier this month, putting us one step closer to repealing this terrible policy.
As always, if you have questions or issues related to a federal agency, please feel free to contact my office by calling (850) 785-0812.
