NEWS FROM THE SECOND DISTRICTDear Friend, This past week, my colleagues and I returned to Washington, D.C. to wrap up the last few weeks of the 116th Congress. We’ll part for the week of Thanksgiving and return to finish out the budget and other priority items in December.
We learned earlier in the week that Moderna Inc. has a COVID-19 vaccine that was 94.5% effective at protecting people from the virus in an early look at pivotal study results. This is outstanding news! The Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are currently awaiting approval from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA). Operation Warp Speed has been a great success, and the Trump Administration has done an exceptional job at working with scientists to find treatments and vaccines for COVID-19. I’m confident we’ll see FDA approval in just a few days. I would also like to congratulate those who were elected and re-elected to serve as the House Republican Leadership team for the 117th Congress. Most of the leadership team were re-elected due to their outstanding performance during the 116th Congress. Our strong leadership and unity paid off this year, and I look forward to working with these exceptional individuals in the 117th Congress.
Please read about my week below:
This Week in the District
Legislative Updates
Coronavirus Updates
This Week in the District
It’s Time to Get Ready for Taxes
The Internal Revenue Service has launched its annual Get Ready for Taxes campaign. It is an effort to encourage taxpayers to take timely steps that will help them file their federal tax returns easily and accurately. This year includes special steps related to Economic Impact Payments and the CARES Act’s 2020 Recovery Rebate credit.
Click here for more information about the following:
- Steps taxpayers can take now to prepare for filing their 2020 return
- Information on claiming the Recovery Rebate credit for those who didn’t receive an EIP or received less than the amount to which they’ll ultimately be entitled
- Accounting for taxable interest on a federal tax refund
- When those claiming the EITC and/or ACTC can expect their refunds
- To stay safe at home, online tools taxpayers can use to
- Get answers to tax questions,
- Prepare and e-file returns,
- Accurately adjust their withholding,
- Check the status of refunds, and
- Pay their taxes
Hurricane Sally Disaster Assistance
The application deadline for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster assistance for Hurricane Sally is December 1, 2020.
As of COB Tuesday, 1,312 loans have been approved for $51,905,300. Of that, 15 applications for a total of $715,300 have been approved for Bay County.
These SBA centers remain open where you can get one-on-one assistance with their disaster loan applications/ask questions/upload documents, etc.:
Okaloosa County Business Recovery Center
Bridgeway Center - Building C
205 Shell Ave.
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
Hours: Sunday-Saturday (7 days a week)
8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (CST)
Escambia County Business Recovery Center
East Pensacola Heights Clubhouse
3208 East Gonzalez St.
Pensacola, FL 32503
Hours: Sunday-Saturday (7 days a week)
8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (CST)
You can also call 800-659-2955 for assistance seven days a week, or make an appointment for help over the phone by emailing to FOCE-Help@sba.gov.
Legislative Updates
Border Security Meeting with Sec. Wolf On Tuesday, November 17th, the Border Security Caucus met with Department of Homeland Security Acting Secretary Chad Wolf. Secretary Wolf briefed the group on measures the Administration is taking to increase border security and work through COVID-19 for the health and safety of personnel. Recent accomplishments included the 400 completed miles of border wall installed this year, not including the 338 additional miles that are currently in the construction phase. We also discussed the drug apprehension of over 500,000 lbs. of narcotics in Fiscal Year 2020. I applaud the efforts of the Administration as they work to strengthen and secure our borders. Coronavirus Updates
Operation Warp Speed
Moderna Inc. said its COVID-19 vaccine was 94.5% effective at protecting people from the virus in an early look at pivotal study results. This is the second vaccine to hit a key milestone in U.S. testing. Moderna said it plans to ask federal health authorities by early December to clear the vaccine. If greenlighted, the shot could go into distribution that month, making it one of the first Covid-19 vaccines to go into distribution in the U.S.
Additionally, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services and the Department of Defense announced partnerships with large chain pharmacies and networks that represent independent pharmacies and regional chains. Through the partnerships with network administrators, independent pharmacies and regional chains will also be part of the federal pharmacy program, further increasing access to vaccines across the country.
Thanks to the efforts of the Trump Administration, we’re making great strides in properly treating and preventing COVID-19. Operation Warp Speed has been a success, and I’m confident we’ll see a vaccine very soon.
Recent Updates - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for the first COVID-19 diagnostic test for self-testing at home and that provides rapid results. The Lucira COVID-19 All-In-One Test Kit is a molecular single-use test that is intended to detect the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 that causes COVID-19. You can read more about this test here.
- As we approach the holiday season, we must take into consideration the proper precautions to protect ourselves, as well as our friends and family, from COVID-19. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) has a helpful guide that can help with planning holiday events. NOTE - These considerations are meant to supplement—not replace—any state, local, territorial, or tribal health and safety laws, rules, and regulations with which holiday gatherings must comply. 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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Rep. Neal Dunn calls upcoming vaccine safe and effective Constituent Casework Corner
A constituent contacted my office after accidentally shredding their Economic Impact Payment (EIP) paper check. They needed assistance with contacting the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to have their check reissued. We were able to work with the IRS to have the EIP quickly reissued to the constituent.
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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