NEWS FROM THE SECOND DISTRICT
Dear Friend,
T his week, I introduced two bipartisan bills that will give veterans more access to mental health resources and jobs. The Supporting Education Recognition for Veterans during Emergencies (SERVE) Act will ensure veterans’ medical qualifications and expertise gained during their service are utilized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and civilian healthcare facilities to meet the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The VA Serious Mental Illness Act will support the mental and psychological health of veterans by expanding treatment options and improving treatment protocol at VA medical facilities. Our veterans have bravely fought for this country and I will continue to fight for them in Congress.
Additionally, I published an opinion editorial this week about the United States’ relationship with China. In the piece, I talk about how the Democrats have recklessly underestimated China over the past decade. America cannot afford to ignore our dependence on supply chains that include China any longer. This is a foreign power that is not an ally and must be dealt with through strong diplomacy and a clear-eyed sense of realism. You can read the full op-ed here.
Operation Warp Speed continues to be a success as we move into utilizing convalescent plasma as a treatment for COVID-19. Scientists are making great strides in finding new therapeutics and a vaccine. I remain optimistic that they will continue to see even more scientific advances in September. Please continue to keep an eye out on social media and in my weekly newsletter for updates.
Finally, I would like to encourage you to join me in praying for our friends in Louisiana and Texas who were heavily impacted by Hurricane Laura. It wasn’t that long ago we were recovering from Hurricane Michael. We know firsthand what their communities are facing. Please join me in praying for support, comfort, and a smooth recovery process.
Please read about my week below:
This Week in the District
Legislative Updates
Coronavirus Updates
This Week in the District
Congressman Dunn’s Interview with The Hill
This week, I joined The Hill’s “The Big Questions” to discuss the Republican National Convention, priority issues for voters, President Trump’s Second Term Agenda, Operation Warp Speed, and the United States’ relationship with China. You can watch the FULL interview here.
Florida Receives $5 Million to Combat Opioid Crisis
GREAT NEWS! The U.S. Department of Labor announced the award of nearly $20 million in funding to four states as part of a new pilot program to address the health and economic impacts of widespread substance and opioid misuse, addiction and overdose by providing retraining and other services to workers in communities significantly impacted by the opioid crisis. The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity has received $5 million of this funding.
These funds will be used to collaborate with community partners, such as local workforce development boards, employers or industry organizations, treatment and recovery centers, education providers, legal services and law enforcement organizations, and community-based and faith-based organizations, to address the economic effects of widespread substance misuse, opioid use, addiction and overdose in significantly impacted service areas.
The opioid epidemic has heavily impacted the State of Florida and destroyed many lives. I’m grateful to the Department of Labor and the Trump Administration for assisting the Sunshine State in combatting addiction and misuse.
Legislative Update
Veterans Affairs
This week, I introduced two bipartisan bills that address veteran employment and veteran suicide.
Congressman Conor Lamb (PA-17), a bipartisan coalition of Congressional Members, and I introduced the Supporting Education Recognition for Veterans during Emergencies (SERVE) Act. This bill will ensure veterans’ medical qualifications and expertise gained during their service are utilized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and civilian healthcare facilities to meet the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As a veteran myself, I can attest to the incredible amount of detailed training and experience veterans receive while serving in our military. During the current pandemic, these individuals could make significant contributions to our communities given their extensive medical skills. It’s high time we formally recognize their special training and give them the opportunity to further serve our nation.
I was also joined by Congressman Tom Malinowski (NJ-07) in introducing the bipartisan VA Serious Mental Illness Act. This bill will support the mental and psychological health of veterans by expanding treatment options and improving treatment protocol at VA medical facilities.
Suicide is on the rise, especially among veterans. These brave men and women have sacrificed for our country and now they need our help. Streamlined clinical practice guidelines for mental health treatment will empower VA providers to better serve our nation’s veterans.
This proposal and a wide array of other proposals that will improve veterans’ mental health care are included in S. 785, the Commander Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act. The Senate passed S. 785 by voice vote earlier this month. I strongly support the House’s consideration of this bill.
Coronavirus Updates
Operation Warp Speed
As part of the agency’s efforts to combat COVID-19, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for investigational convalescent plasma. Based on available scientific evidence, the FDA determined convalescent plasma may be effective in lessening the severity or shortening the length of COVID-19 illness in hospitalized patients, and that the known and potential benefits of the product outweigh the known and potential risks. The EUA authorizes the distribution of convalescent plasma in the U.S. as well as its administration by health care providers, as appropriate, to treat suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19. Learn more about EUAs.
Recent Updates
- FDA issued an emergency use authorization for the first COVID-19 antigen test where results can be read directly from the testing card, a similar design to some pregnancy tests. This simple design is fast and efficient for healthcare providers and patients and does not need the use of an analyzer. Learn more here.
- The FDA issued a new Consumer Update entitled, Is Your Hand Sanitizer on FDA’s List of Products You Should Not Use? FDA testing has uncovered that some hand sanitizers carry toxic ingredients. The Consumer Update provides information to find out if your product is on the list. Before you buy hand sanitizer or use hand sanitizer you have at home, the FDA recommends checking its do-not-use list at www.fda.gov/handsanitizerlist, including the description on how to use the list. The agency updates the list regularly as new test results are released.
- The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention has released guidelines for intended to aid school administrators as they consider how to protect the health, safety, and wellbeing of students, teachers, other school staff, their families, and communities and prepare for educating students this fall. Read more here.
Thank you for your continued energy and enthusiasm, as reflected in your letters and Facebook posts. If you haven’t already, LIKE my Facebook page. You can also follow me on Twitter @DrNealDunnFL2.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve you in Congress!
Sincerely,
Dr. Neal Dunn
Member of Congress
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IN THE NEWS
Neal Dunn Backs Two Bills to Help Veterans During Coronavirus Pandemic and With Mental Health
DUNN: We can’t afford to downplay risks from China
Constituent Casework Corner
Recently, an H-4 visa holder contacted my office for assistance with their visa because the expiration date was quickly approaching. The visa holder filed an Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status (Form I-539) and an Application for Employment Authorization (Form I-765) with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the USCIS stopped most of its operations. My office contacted USCIS and, after some initial delays, they processed and approved both pending applications, which saved the H-4 visa holder from major financial hardship.
Do you need help with a federal agency? Contact my office at 850-785-0812 or at www.dunn.house.gov
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