Press Release
By Congressman Aaron Bean
03-16-24
| Tick tock, TikTok! On Wednesday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Application Act, a critical national security bill to protect Americans from the technological tentacles of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). TikTok, which is owned by the Chinese Communist Party-controlled ByteDance, has access to 170 million Americans’ data including search and browsing history, facial ID, voice prints, texts, location, and photos. But that’s not all. In 2022, TikTok disclosed that it has already shared information with Chinese regulators. By passing this bill, we sent a message to the Chinese Communist Party that they will no longer have unfettered access to the private data of the American people. Users will be free to share whatever content they like without being targeted, spied-on or manipulated by the CCP. I want to set the record straight on a few misconceptions about this bill.It is NOT a ban but requires the app to sever its ties with the CCP to remain operational in the United States.It does not apply to American companies. It only applies to companies subject to the control of foreign adversaries.It cannot be used to censor speech. It takes no position at all on the content of speech, only foreign adversary control. The Senate is expected to take up this bill next week. $147M GRANT AWARDED TO THE EMERALD TRAIL I was proud to announce the City of Jacksonville will receive $147,089,058 in federal grant funding for its downtown revitalization project, the Emerald Trail. This represents the largest one-time federal grant the City of Jacksonville has ever received. Not only will the Emerald Trail connect visitors with nature, but it will also make Jacksonville safer. From hotels and restaurants to mixed-use retail shops and playgrounds—one of the main goals of this project is to bring people of all ages, backgrounds, and life experiences together in one vibrant, cultural, and welcoming location. Learn more HERE . CONGRESSMAN BEAN SUPPORTS PARENTS AND STUDENTS  On Wednesday, I joined Education and Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx for a roundtable discussion with Parents Defending Education. We had productive discussions on how to restore educational opportunities for K-12 students, curriculum that educates not indoctrinates, ensuring a baseline of parents’ rights, combatting antisemitism, and how to foster academic achievement.As Chairman of the Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education Subcommittee, I am pursuing bold, transformative education reforms that will empower parents, protect kids, and prepare the workforce of the future, so every child can reach their fullest potential. CONGRESSMAN BEAN TAKES AIM AT EMPTY FEDERAL OFFICES Nearly four years after the start of the pandemic, 90% of federal agency offices remain empty as employees continue to work remotely. Right now, American taxpayers are forced to pay $2 billion a year for office space—almost half the size of Disney World—that federal employees refuse to use. Rather than taxpayer dollars being wasted on empty buildings, House Republi can are cutting government waste. This week, we passed the USE IT Act of 2023, which requires federal agency workers to return to the office or lose their office space. Read more HERE . STOPPING GOVERNMENT OVERREACH, PROTECTING INDEPENDENT WORKERS’ RIGHTS Our government should be supporting workers, not regulating them into oblivion. Yet the Department of Labor’s new Independent Contractor Rule will restrict worker freedom and choice, costing millions of independent professionals their livelihoods. That’s why I joined Representative Kevin Kiley to introduce a Congressional Review Act (CRA) to stop this new labor rule from destroying American jobs and prevent government overreach. As a member of the Small Business Committee, I recognize the value of freelancing, particularly for women, and will continue to protect the independent contractor model. Read more HERE . PROTECTING STUDENT-ATHLETES FROM BIDEN’S NLRB OVERREACH  CLICK HERE TO WATCHShould a scholarship athlete be considered an employee for playing a sport? Of course not. But in Crazy Town, President Biden’s National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is overstepping its authority by attempting to classify student-athletes as employees.On Tuesday, I raised concerns in the Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Subcommittee about the future of college sports on campuses if President Biden’s NLRB decision stands. It is imperative that we prevent bad actors and government overreach from taking advantage of our students. BEAN PUSHES TO MAKE DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME PERMANENT Did you feel extra tired this week? Most people felt that way after their clocks “sprung” forward on Sunday. As more folks grow tired of switching their clocks every six months, I joined Representative Vern Buchanan’s Sunshine Protect Act . This bill would make daylight savings time permanent and end the twice-a-year clock change that takes place every November and March. Fortunately, in the Sunshine State, lawmakers already voted to make daylight savings time permanent. Now it’s time for Congress to do the same and pass legislation to move Florida and the rest of the nation to year-round daylight savings time. Learn more HERE . Sincerely,  Congressman Aaron BeanProudly Serving Florida’s Fourth Congressional District |
Contact MeWashington DC Office 1239 Longworth Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-0123Fernandina Beach District Office 501 Centre Street, Suite 107 Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 Phone: (904) 557-9550Jacksonville District Office 820 N 117 W Duval St. #230 Jacksonville, FL 32202 Phone: (904) 319-9433 |
