NEWS FROM THE SECOND DISTRICTDear Friend, Memorial Day is tomorrow. This holiday is typically seen as the official start of summer; however, it’s also a day of remembrance for the brave men and women who gave all to protect our country. As many of you know, I served in the U.S. Army. I’ve had the privilege of working with some of the best soldiers to ever serve in the U.S. Armed Forces. There’s a strong bond amongst those who have served, and to lose one of our own is like losing a family member. But why we all make the sacrifice – because we love this country.
I had the honor of joining fellow veterans in posting flags and honoring our fallen at Tallahassee National Cemetery. It could not have been a more perfect day as we shared old stories about our days in the service and remembered the courageous people we’ve met over the years.
Tomorrow, please take a moment to pause and remember those who gave everything for our great nation. They are the reason we enjoy the freedoms we have today.
.png "Screenshot_(160).png")
Please read about my week below: Hurricane Season Update
This Week in the District
What’s Happening on Capitol Hill
Coronavirus Updates
Hurricane Season Update
Let’s Get Prepared
Florida’s Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday is this week! (May 28 - June 6) Now is the time to stock up on supplies for the upcoming Hurricane Season.
Here's a look at some of the items you'll be able to purchase without paying sales tax: - Reusable ice packs ($10 or less)
- Candles, flashlights & lanterns ($20 or less)
- Gas or diesel fuel containers ($25 or less)
- Batteries, excluding automobile & boat batteries ($30 or less)
- Radios powered by battery, solar, or hand crank
- Tarps
- Tie-down kits
- Portable generators ($750 or less)
I urge you to take advantage of this opportunity to stock up on critical needs before a hurricane or a tropical storm comes our way. Click here for a disaster supply kit checklist.
This Week in the District
Congratulations, Kaitlyn McCarty!
Please join me in congratulating Kaitlyn McCarty of North Bay Haven Charter Academy, the winner of the 2021 Congressional Art Competition for Florida's Second Congressional District. Kaitlyn’s artwork, titled “The Calm After The Storm,” is a watercolor portrait depicting a half-sunken sailboat off the coast of Panama City, left behind after the devastation of Hurricane Michael.
I would also like to congratulate Anna Barber of Marianna High School, who was awarded second place for her painting titled “Stunning. Refreshing…Essential.” Tied for 3rd place was Jake Wooley of Suwannee High School with his sketch titled “Quiet Reverie” and Elizabeth Baggett of Marianna High School with her piece titled “The Joseph W. Russ House.”
We had an exceptional selection of entries from young artists throughout our district this year. As many know, Hurricane Michael caused a great deal of devastation throughout our district. Kaitlyn’s painting not only reflects the destruction but also gives a sense of hope. This piece is a reminder to all of us that we can overcome whatever disaster comes our way, and that’s the perfect message following this pandemic. I look forward to seeing Kaitlyn’s artwork hanging in the Capitol for visitors from across the country to see.
Thank you to all our participants for your inspiring contributions, and to our judges for helping us choose the winners! View the works of art from our runners-up here.
Visiting UF/IFAS in Suwannee County 
On Wednesday, I had the privilege of touring UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center - Suwannee Valley. UF/IFAS has an impressive operation and continuously churns out great work. The importance of agricultural research funding cannot be overstated. Our producers play a pivotal role in our nation, and they must be given the tools necessary to produce their best crops and meet market demands.
Thank you, Florida Farm Bureau Federation and UF/IFAS, for hosting me! I look forward to working closely with both groups to advance the interests of Florida’s farmers, ranchers, and foresters.
Stopping by James Madison Institute 
On Thursday, I stopped by James Madison Institute (JMI) in Tallahassee for a luncheon to give an update on what’s going on in Congress and my policy priorities for the 117th Congress. I spoke about getting the government out of the way of innovation and the importance of public-private partnerships. JMI is a great group of passionate conservatives and I’m grateful for the opportunity to speak with them. Thank you all for hosting me!
Update from the Internal Revenue Service
The latest information on the processing of 2020 tax returns is available on IRS.gov at IRS Operations During COVID-19. The page is designed to provide taxpayers with information on what to expect if they have recently: - Filed a tax return,
- Received a bill or notice,
- Answered a letter or notice,
- Sent in a missing form or document,
- Sent a payment, or
- Requested other services.
The page is regularly updated. For more information, click here.
What’s Happening on Capitol Hill
Protecting Consumers Like You
This past week, the House Energy & Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce met to discuss the Consumer Protection and Recovery Act (H.R. 2688). While this bill seeks to help victims of various monetary scams, I have serious concerns with giving the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) unbound authority.
I am hesitant to support any new rulemaking process that could eliminate the input from the Commission’s agencies, Bureaus, offices, and Commissioners, all of who have industry-specific knowledge of the FTC’s vast portfolio. More importantly, I’m hesitant to give the government more authority.
I offered an amendment to require the FTC Chair to rescind the recently established centralized rulemaking group--an effort that would sidestep many checks and balances within the Commission, like an economic analysis. The centralized rule making group will make it far easier for the Biden Administration to impose their radical agenda on our nation’s businesses. Unfortunately, Democrats blocked my amendment.
Coronavirus Updates
Latest Update
On Wednesday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for the investigational monoclonal antibody therapy sotrovimab for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adults and pediatric patients (12 years of age and older weighing at least 40 kilograms [about 88 pounds]) with positive results of direct SARS-CoV-2 viral testing and who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death. This means that you now have more treatment options for COVID-19, which is excellent news. Read more about the EUA here.
Get Vaccinated Floridians 12 and up are now eligible to receive any COVID-19 vaccine as prescribed by the Food and Drug Administration. The Pfizer vaccine is authorized for persons age 12 and up. The Moderna vaccine is authorized for persons age 18 and up.
I encourage you to pre-register for the COVID-19 vaccine. The State of Florida has partnered with Sharecare to provide an easy-to-use platform that will save your spot for your shot. Pre-register here. Florida has many sites providing the COVID-19 vaccine. Use the vaccine finder to find a site near you. Supplies are limited and appointments may be required.
Traveling This Summer?
With Summer approaching, many of you may be considering a vacation. For the updated guidelines for domestic travel, click here. For global travel, click 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
| Constituent Casework Corner
A veteran contacted my office after their request for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to assign them a new Primary Care Physician (PCP) was denied. We were able to work with the VA to have the veteran’s concerns addressed and a new PCP assigned.
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