Representative Laurel Lee

From Medical Breakthroughs to Tommorow's Opportunity

Dear Neighbors,

This week, I had the opportunity to highlight several of the priorities that matter most to families across Florida's 15th Congressional District—from supporting groundbreaking cancer research and innovation at Moffitt Cancer Center to discussing my work in Congress during an upcoming Bay News 9 interview. I was also honored to be featured in PBS Frontline's documentary Baby Brokers, where I discussed the bipartisan efforts to strengthen protections for children and families through the ADOPT Act. Additionally, I was pleased to see the launch of Trump Accounts, an important initiative that will help more American children begin building financial security for the future.

Highlights from This Week:

Visited Moffitt Cancer Center
Filmed an interview with Bay News 9's In Focus
Featured in PBS Frontline's Baby Brokers to discuss the ADOPT Act
Celebrated the launch of Trump Accounts

Supporting Lifesaving Cancer Research at Moffitt

Thursday, I had the opportunity to visit Moffitt Cancer Center and tour its Population Engagement and Research Laboratory (PEARL Lab), where I met with researchers studying how nutrition, physical activity, and other lifestyle factors can help prevent cancer, improve treatment outcomes, and enhance patients' quality of life. By translating this research into practical strategies for patients and survivors, the PEARL Lab is helping shape a more personalized and comprehensive approach to cancer care. Moffitt is not only a world-class cancer center, but also one of Florida's leading research institutions and a vital part of our community. Thousands of families in Florida's 15th District rely on Moffitt for lifesaving care, and more than 3,000 individuals work there every day.

We also discussed key federal funding I secured to support Moffitt's groundbreaking CryoCure initiative. This $6.125 million investment will help establish a Cryogenic Transmission Electron Microscopy (Cryo-TEM) Center, providing researchers with cutting-edge technology capable of imaging proteins and drug interactions at near-atomic resolution. These capabilities have the potential to accelerate the development of more precise, targeted cancer therapies and unlock new breakthroughs in cancer treatment.

Florida families face more than 180,000 new cancer diagnoses every year. Investing in innovative research at institutions like Moffitt means giving scientists the tools they need to develop better treatments while strengthening Tampa Bay's growing biotechnology economy. I will continue working to ensure our community remains at the forefront of medical innovation and that patients have access to the most advanced care possible.

Coming Soon: My Conversation with Bay News 9

This week, I joined Bay News 9 for an interview on In Focus to discuss the work I have been leading in Congress on behalf of Florida's 15th Congressional District.

During our conversation, we discussed several of the issues shaping our community and our country, including technology and AI, and the important work we do in Congress to invest in local infrastructure and advocate for constituents. We also talked about the bipartisan legislation we've advanced to strengthen online protections for children, showing how Republicans and Democrats can work together to deliver meaningful solutions for American families. I look forward to sharing the full interview with you when it airs next week. Stay tuned!

Featured in PBS Frontline's Baby Brokers

Recently, PBS Frontline premiered its documentary, Baby Brokers, which examines the challenges and gaps in oversight within America's domestic adoption system. I was honored to participate in the documentary and discuss my work to strengthen protections for children and families through the bipartisan ADOPT Act.

As a former family court judge, I have seen firsthand how important it is to ensure every adoption is handled with transparency, integrity, and the best interests of the child at the center of every decision. The ADOPT Act would strengthen oversight of unlicensed adoption intermediaries, improve accountability, and help protect birth parents, adoptive families, and children from exploitation.

Watch the full episode of Frontline: Baby Brokers here.

Launching Trump Accounts for America's Next Generation

This week Trump Accounts was officially launched, a new initiative designed to help more American children begin building financial security from an early age.

Created through the One Big Beautiful Bill that Congress passed last year, Trump Accounts allow parents or legal guardians to open long-term investment accounts for any child under the age of 18. Children born between 2025 and 2028 will also receive a $1,000 federal contribution to help give them a strong financial start. Parents, grandparents, family members, friends, employers, and others can continue contributing over time, giving these accounts the opportunity to grow alongside the child.

Whether a young person chooses to pursue higher education, start a business, buy a home, or invest in career training, these accounts are intended to provide a stronger financial foundation as they enter adulthood.

As a mother, I know that every parent wants to give their children every opportunity to succeed. That is why I supported this initiative. It is about looking beyond today's challenges and making smart investments in the next generation. Alongside permanent tax relief for working families and policies that strengthen our economy, Trump Accounts represent another way we are helping ensure that America's children have greater opportunities to achieve the American Dream.

To learn more or sign your child up today click here.

From Medical Breakthroughs to Tommorow's Opportunity

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