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Cutting Through Red Tape
The federal government is immense. When dealing with its many departments and agencies, you may feel caught in a bureaucratic nightmare. My Merrillville office is here to help. While I cannot require federal officials to decide matters in your favor, I can insist that all rules are followed to ensure that your request receives serious consideration. Some of the most common problems arise from: Social Security and Medicare benefits; Immigration and Naturalization Services; the Armed Services; Veterans' Services and Benefits; Welfare and Social Services; and Regulatory Agencies.
Print out a Constituent Fact Sheet to Get Your Casework Started (PDF)
If you need help with these matters or if you have a concern with another part of the federal government, please do not hesitate to contact my Merrillville office. You can either send me your concerns in writing or you can request a "Fact Sheet" by calling my Merrillville office. Once your letter or "Fact Sheet" is filed, I will work diligently to ensure that your concerns are addressed in a prompt and satisfactory manner.
Things You Should Know
- You must have already filed an application, petition, formal complaint, or otherwise contacted the federal agency in writing before my office can intervene on your behalf.
- According to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, I cannot act as an attorney or offer legal assistance in any way.
- Because of the constitutional separation of powers, judicial matters (matters before the courts) do not fall under my jurisdiction as a Member of Congress. Examples of judicial matters include deportation proceedings or any matter before immigration courts, divorce, child custody, or other civil disputes, and criminal trials.
- While I will make my best efforts to assist you, please remember that federal agencies have discretion concerning decisions on individual cases and have the final say on the outcome.
