NEWS FROM THE SECOND DISTRICTDear Friend, Happy Independence Day to all! Last year’s Fourth of July looked considerably different than years prior, but I trust that many of you are making up for the festivities we missed last year.
I’m grateful that many of our district events have been rescheduled. I’ve certainly missed the parades and firework shows. But this holiday is so much more than BBQs and fireworks – it’s about the birth of the greatest country in the world and the freedoms we’re guaranteed thanks to our Founding Fathers’ perseverance. It’s because of them that we have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and we must do whatever we can to preserve that.
May we all take time today to appreciate the freedom and liberty that comes with being an American. And may we remember the lives sacrificed to protect our country.
Please read about my week below:
What’s Happening on Capitol Hill
This Week in the District
Hurricane Season Update
Coronavirus Updates What’s Happening on Capitol Hill
Joining the China Task Force
Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy recently appointed me to the Republican China Task Force (CTF). The China Task Force will build off their comprehensive report released last year by generating additional cross-jurisdictional policy solutions for our strategic competition with the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Under House Foreign Affairs Committee Lead Republican Michael McCaul’s leadership, the Republican Members on the CTF will continue probing the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) coverup of the origins of COVID-19, explain how to best protect our supply chains, and ensure our military and diplomats are properly resourced. The CTF will also focus on how to win the technological and economic competition and how to best counter the CCP’s malign influence at home and abroad.
China is a foreign agitator and a serious threat to the United States and our allies. China’s actions leading up to and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic are just the tip of the iceberg. The Chinese Communist Party is responsible for numerous civil rights and safety violations and must be held accountable. I’m grateful to Leader Kevin McCarthy, Congressman Michael McCaul, and Republican leadership for recognizing my unique experience and selecting me to serve on this task force and to begin to hold China accountable.
Select Subcommittee’s Forum on COVID-19 Origins 
This past week, the House Republicans held a Select Subcommittee forum with expert witnesses to examine the origins of the coronavirus. Our experts confirmed suspicions we’ve had all along – COVID-19 came from China and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) covered it up. The CCP has a long history of blatantly disregarding the well-being of their people and the rest of the world. While America, Italy, and several others helped their neighbors during this crisis, the CCP used the opportunity to profit off the PPE supply. Millions have died due to the deception of the CCP.
During the forum, we also heard from public health officials who weighed in on when the virus came to the United States and how. There was so much in this forum that needs to be investigated further; however, Speaker Pelosi and House Democrats have shown no interest in this investigation. The American people deserve answers, and my Republican colleagues and I will not stop until we have them.
You can watch the forum here. 
Border Security Caucus
On Tuesday, the Border Security Caucus heard from the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS) Executive Director Mark Krikorian and CIS Director of Investigations Jon Feere. We discussed the severity of the border crisis and how it’s progressively getting worse. Border patrol is overwhelmed with a rising surge of unaccompanied children and over half a million illegal border crossings in just the past three months. Additionally, drug traffickers are exploiting this crisis to smuggle fentanyl for the first time between ports of entry -- contributing to a 4,000% increase since 2018.
The border crisis doesn’t only affect border states, it affects ALL states. The Biden Administration needs to make this issue a top priority for the safety of Americans everywhere.
This Week in the District
Important Information About Passports
A lot of people have contacted my office about their pending passport applications. My team does everything we can to assist those who need their passports; however, you will likely face a delay in the upcoming months due to the sudden return of international travel. People who would have renewed their passports during the last 18 months of lockdown are all renewing simultaneously. Please review the information below from the Passport Agency about current processing times and tips to help you plan ahead. What to Expect: Mail delays are impacting when we receive passport applications for processing. Our processing times begin the day we receive your application, not the day you mail it.
Routine service can take up to 18 weeks from the day an application is submitted to the day a new passport is received. The 18-week timeframe includes up to 12 weeks for processing and up to 6 weeks for mailing times on the front and back end.
Expedite service (for an additional $60) can take up to 12 weeks from the day an application is submitted to the day a new passport is received. The 12-week timeframe includes up to 6 weeks for processing and up to 6 weeks for mailing times on the front and back end.
Our processing times (up to 12 weeks for routine; up to 6 weeks for expedite) do not include mailing times. Mail times vary and delays have been significant. PLAN AHEAD!
We suggest you:
Send your application to us via trackable mail, so you can track your application before it enters our system. This can be done whether applying at an acceptance facility or by mail.
Or
Pay an extra $17.56 for 1-2 day delivery for the return of your completed passport.
More about Status Updates: It may take up to 6 weeks from the day you submit your application until your status is “In Process.” During these 6 weeks, your application is delivered to a mail facility, your payment is processed, and your application is entered into our system. Even if your passport status update says, “Not Available,” your application and supporting documents are safely on their way to us. Check online for your passport status.
Use Self-Service Tools Online: Our call center is experiencing extremely high call volumes with longer-than-usual wait times. You can get your questions answered immediately by using one of the self-service tools available on our site 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. What you see online is the same information that call center representatives can share with you by phone.
Planning to Travel? Apply Early! Apply at least six months before planned travel. Due to limited availability for urgent travel appointments, we cannot guarantee you can receive in-person service at a passport agency or center. We are prioritizing customers with life-or-death emergencies. Visit our Passport Agency and Center page to learn more.
Renew By Mail: Adults with 10-year passports can renew them by mail instead of appearing in person.
Hurricane Season Update
Information for Homeowners Once a major storm hits, it’s too late to protect your home and property. But there are things you can do now to reduce damage from high winds and water. Some are fairly simple and inexpensive; others will require a professional contractor. You’ll need to consider the characteristics of your home, your financial resources and the building codes in your community.
Click here for a homeowner’s checklist that will help you learn what you can do to protect your home. For more information about the costs and benefits of each measure, talk to a professional builder, architect or contractor. You should also ask your building department about building permit requirements
You can follow me on social media for real-time updates about evacuations, closures, & more federal resources. For more information about how to prepare for a storm, click here.
Coronavirus Updates
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 schedule an appointment 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. Schedule your appointment 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
After a constituent submitted their payment to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), it was returned to them because the IRS said no money was owed; however, they later received a bill for the amount they tried to pay plus penalties and interest. After trying to work with the IRS to pay the original amount due without the penalties and interest without success, they contacted my office. We were able to have the constituent’s tax record reviewed and corrected. The penalties and interest were removed.
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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