NEWS FROM THE SECOND DISTRICTDear Friend, Speaker Pelosi is at it again. Rather than working on a constructive plan to help this country rebuild, renew, and restore, House Democrats put more effort into defunding, dismantling, and destroying. They continued to block efforts to extend and expand the Paycheck Protection Program for workers and small businesses, attempted to leave critical farm program funding out of the stopgap funding deal, and pushed a partisan energy bill that would trade our nation’s economic future for a socialist wish list that lays the groundwork for the green new deal. On top of that, the House passed another continuing resolution that extends the budget deadline.
In other words, our duties were once again pushed to the wayside to make room for the Democrats’ overly partisan agenda. It’s like 2019 all over again.
Some good did come out of this past week. Luckily, bipartisan backlash forced House Democrats to add the critical farm funding back into the continuing resolution. Additionally, my bill, The Veteran’s Prostate Cancer Research & Treatment Act (H.R. 6092), passed in the House. As a veteran and urologist, this bill meant a great deal to me. Our veterans have sacrificed so much and deserve a streamlined system to increase early detection and treatment.
I came to Washington, D.C. to represent you – not a partisan agenda. As we go into the final months of 2020, I’m committed to putting you first and getting the assistance and care our area needs.
Please read about my week below:
This Week in the District
Legislative Updates
Coronavirus Updates
This Week in the District
Only 3 Days Left – Make Sure You’re Counted!
The last day to fill out the Census is September 30th (This Wednesday).
The Census affects funding for schools, healthcare, block grants, businesses relocating to the area, and representation. We cannot afford to be miscounted this year.
Florida’s Second Congressional District currently has one of the lowest self-response rates in the state.
Let’s step up our game and make sure we are all counted by September 30th. Fill out your Census here.
Hurricane Sally Disaster Declaration
Last Sunday, I reported that my peers in the House and Senate were working to get you the assistance our area needs to recover from Hurricane Sally. We wrote a letter supporting Governor Ron DeSantis’ request for a pre-landfall emergency declaration and a letter supporting the Governor’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration.
On Thursday, President Trump approved the Florida Disaster Declaration. This is outstanding news! Our area has seen its fair share of storms and it is critical that we get the help we need to recover from Hurricane Sally. I appreciate the Trump Administration’s assistance in rebuilding Florida’s Panhandle.
Read the White House announcement here.
Hurricane Michael Public Assistance Grants
FEMA has approved projects totaling more than $32.9 million for the State of Florida to reimburse four applicants for eligible costs of emergency work and permanent repairs following Hurricane Michael.
These grants include:
• Washington County – $16,606,235 for permanent repairs to hurricane-damaged roadways including resurfacing, embankment washout repairs, shoulder re-works, and ditch cleaning.
• Florida Department of Transportation – $7,554,854 for debris cleanup activities throughout Washington County
Other grant monies will be given to:
• Bay County – $3,541,838 for repairs to baseball fields, soccer fields, bleachers, dugouts, scoreboards, electrical system, and other facilities at the H.G. Harders Park in Panama City.
• Tallahassee – $5,206,612 for debris removal activities throughout the city.
I’m appreciative of this funding for cleanup and repairs. We still have a lot of work to do, but I’m grateful for how our area has bounced back following Hurricane Michael. I’ll continue to fight for the assistance we need to make a full recovery.
Read more about this funding here. Legislative Updates
Veterans Affairs Committee
My bill, The Veteran’s Prostate Cancer Research & Treatment Act (H.R. 6092), passed in the House on Tuesday.
Prostate cancer is the number one cancer diagnosed in the Veterans Health Administration, with over 489,000 veterans undergoing treatment. The key to overcoming this cancer is early detection. Veterans deserve a system that streamlines the pathway from early detection to successful treatment.
I’m proud of this bill & my colleagues for joining me in the fight against this deadly adversary.
Click here for my full statement. Coronavirus Updates
Operation Warp Speed
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Though our country is outpacing expectations as we lead an economic recovery, we need vaccines and therapeutics – developed by our nation’s best scientists, doctors, and manufacturers through Operation Warp Speed – to defeat COVID and fully restore our way of life. Grandparents want to see their grandkids, restaurant and bar owners want to serve their customers at full capacity, and athletes around the country want an opportunity to compete.
Operation Warp Speed is not only an effort to find a COVID-19 vaccine; it’s an effort to find safe and effective therapeutics, as well. I’m amazed by the scientific advancements we’ve seen in the past few months. Please take a moment to watch this quick video from the GOP Doctors Caucus to learn more about Operation Warp Speed and COVID-19 treatments.
Recent Updates
- The U.S. Food & Drug Administration re-issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for the Assure COVID-19 IgG/IgM Rapid Test Device, making it the first authorized serology (antibody) test that can be used at the point of care (POC), meaning it is authorized for use in patient care settings operating under a CLIA Certificate of Waiver, Certificate of Compliance, or Certificate of Accreditation. “Authorizing point-of-care serology tests will enable more timely and convenient results for individuals who want to understand if they have previously been infected with the virus that causes COVID-19,” said FDA Commissioner Stephen M. Hahn, M.D. Read more about it here.
- According to the Florida Department of Health, data reported to the Agency for Health Care Administration shows that the number of COVID-19 positive patients that are currently hospitalized is down more than 70 percent since July. Wednesday’s statewide positivity rate for new cases was 4.45 percent, marking the forty-second straight day below 10 percent positivity of new cases. 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
| IN THE NEWS Neal Dunn Gets ‘Veterans Prostate Cancer Treatment and Research Act’ Through the House
Major disaster declaration for Florida approved by President Trump Constituent Casework Corner
Are you a veteran that isn’t receiving adequate health care and assistance from the Department of Veterans Affairs?
If so, my office can help you. Contact my office at 850-785-0812 or at www.dunn.house.gov
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