NEWS FROM THE SECOND DISTRICTDear Friend,
I returned to Washington, D.C. last week to introduce a new bill and join my colleagues in fighting for small businesses.
Speaker Pelosi was adamant last week about pushing through a COVID-19 package with an exorbitant price tag -- aka her wish list that included more special interest items than COVID relief. Meanwhile, she blocked a bill to give additional Paycheck Protection Program aid to our small businesses. She has proven that the only “aid” she is interested in is aiding her party’s special interests, not the American people. Meanwhile, I have joined my Republican colleagues in pushing for aid that would help rebuild our economy. We will not stop fighting to restore this great nation. Additionally, I introduced a bill that would give federal funding to outstanding organizations that provide stability and guidance for children in the welfare system. You can read more about this below.
I would also like to add that I’m wishing President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump a speedy recovery. We’ve made outstanding progress with treatments in the past few months, and I’m confident that both will overcome COVID-19 quickly.
Please join me in praying for the Trump family, as well as all of those currently recovering from COVID-19.
Please read about my week below:
This Week on Capitol Hill
Legislative Updates
Coronavirus Updates
This Week on Capitol Hill
Fighting for our Small Businesses
For months Nancy Pelosi has held up aid for our small businesses. This aid is a critical lifeline for our community businesses and should be above the political fray but that’s not how she operates.
This week, my Republican colleagues and I said enough and that it’s time to bring this bill to the House floor for a vote. H.R. 8265 would allow certain businesses to apply for a second round of Paycheck Protection Program funding and would extend the program through the end of 2020. Additionally, the bill would significantly streamline the loan forgiveness process.
Small businesses are the backbone of this great nation and we must prioritize them to successfully renew, rebuild, and restore this country. FEMA Assistance for Hurricane Sally The Major Disaster Declaration for Hurricane Sally has been amended to include the following counties: Bay, Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, and Walton. While I know that this includes only one of our counties, this is important information to get out to the public. If you know someone in one of the other counties, please feel free to share this.
Florida homeowners and renters in Bay, Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties who had uninsured losses from Hurricane Sally may be eligible for federal disaster assistance from FEMA.
FEMA has programs that provide financial help with temporary housing expenses, basic home repairs and other essential disaster-related needs. FEMA coordinates with the Florida Division of Emergency Management in disaster recovery.
First, if you haven’t already done so, contact your insurance company and file a claim for the disaster-caused damage. You don’t have to wait to start cleaning up but be sure to take photographs or videos of the damage and keep all receipts for repair work.
If you have uninsured or underinsured losses, register with FEMA. Registration is free and doesn’t take long. You can register in several ways: - Visit DisasterAssistance.gov, enter your location and click on “Apply Online”
- Download the FEMA App for smartphones
- Call 800-621-3362 (800-462-7585 TTY). Multilingual operators are available. The toll-free numbers are open every day from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET. Those who use a relay service such as a videophone, InnoCaption or CapTel should update FEMA with their specific phone number assigned to that service.
It is helpful to have the following information available when you register:
• Address of the damaged dwelling where the damage occurred (pre-disaster address) • Current mailing address • Current telephone number • Insurance information • Total household annual income • Routing and account number for checking or savings account (this allows FEMA to directly transfer disaster assistance funds into a bank account) • A description of disaster-caused damage and losses
Here’s a helpful infographic that highlights what to expect after applying for FEMA assistance:
Legislative Updates
New Legislation 
This week, I introduced H.R. 8443, the Cottage Homes to Improve Lives for Dependents (CHILD) Act. Children in the welfare system are some of our most vulnerable, especially in the time of COVID-19. The Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches and others have done an outstanding job going beyond basic care and providing a sense of security, guidance, and belonging to children coming from difficult circumstances. Funding for these organizations and vital services to vulnerable children and families must not be interrupted. Every child in the system should have adequate resources necessary to achieve safety and permanency. My bill is an investment in the future of this nation.
Read the full press release here.
Coronavirus Updates
Operation Warp Speed The Trump Administration’s goal is to ensure every American can get a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine without any out of pocket cost. Any vaccine or therapeutic doses purchased with U.S. taxpayer dollars will be given to the American people at no cost. Pending U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) Emergency Use Authorizations, we may have up to 100 million doses of FDA-authorized vaccine by the end of the year, and project having manufactured enough doses for every American who wants a vaccine by March-April 2021.
We are seeing unprecedented progress, with four vaccine candidates already in Phase 3 clinical trials to test safety and efficacy. Companies are recruiting 30,000 to 60,000 volunteers in each of the Phase 3 trials, which is a larger scale of enrollment than typically done in vaccine trials. This allows faster answers on efficacy and a broader set of data for determining safety.
I feel very confident about the progress we’re steadily making. I’ll continue to keep you informed as I learn more.
Recent Updates
- As of Friday, data reported to the Agency for Health Care Administration showed that the number of COVID-19 positive Florida residents that are currently hospitalized is down more than 70 percent since July. The Florida statewide positivity rate for new cases is 3.77 percent. Read more here.
- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), has announced $20 billion in new funding for providers on the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic. Providers that have already received Provider Relief Fund payments will be invited to apply for additional funding that considers financial losses and changes in operating expenses caused by the coronavirus. 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 Rep. Neal Dunn introduces ‘CHILD’ bill to secure funding for Florida Sheriff Youth Ranches
Congressman Dunn weighs in on President Trump’s nomination for Supreme Court
Constituent Casework Corner
After facing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a constituent contacted my office when they were denied a pension that was guaranteed by their employer. My office contacted the Department of Labor who, after researching the issue and contacting the constituent’s previous employer, determined the constituent was entitled to the pension. This case concluded favorably, and the constituent received the aid that they needed.
Do you need help with a federal agency? Contact my office at 850-785-0812 or at www.dunn.house.gov
|
No comments:
Post a Comment