NEWS FROM THE SECOND DISTRICTDear Friend, This past week, the House held a vote on a bill that means a lot to me. During the final days of Vietnam, I saw friends left behind and families torn apart. To be honest with you, it still weighs on me after all these years. The ALLIES Act will provide the legislative fixes necessary to help save the lives of tens of thousands of Afghans who have assisted U.S. forces in the country over the last 20 years.
Our Afghan friends and allies have stood by our sides for twenty years. My son, who has served overseas, tells me stories about the friends he has made and continuously asks me what we’re doing to protect them once we leave Afghanistan. I know we have a lot of veterans in our district, and I know that you share this concern. We CANNOT leave our friends behind again. We must expand and accelerate the Afghan Special Immigrant Visas program in order to save as many of our Afghan partners as possible before we withdraw our troops.
I’m grateful to my colleagues in the House who overwhelmingly passed this bill. I would also like to applaud the strong bipartisan work done by the “Honoring our Promises” working group, as well as Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06) and his staff for their leadership in this effort. We came together to keep our promise and I hope the Senate will do the same.
If you would like to watch me support this bill on the House floor, click here.
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
House Energy & Commerce Committee
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It’s has been a busy week for the House Energy and Commerce Committee. On Tuesday, the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations met to discuss the uptick in ransomware and cyberattacks. These attacks have highlighted our vulnerabilities and have shown us the difficulties in holding those who perpetrate these attacks accountable. It should also not escape any of us that the vast majority of significant cyber-attacks in recent years have originated from countries that also happen to be our greatest foreign adversaries – Russia & China.
On Wednesday, the House Energy and Commerce Committee held a truly bipartisan markup of 24 healthcare and communications bills. We advanced bills that will enhance policies that keep our communities drug-free and address the ongoing opioid epidemic and build on efforts to improve vaccine information infrastructure. We also reached a bipartisan agreement to avert a funding cliff for Medicaid dollars in the Territories. On the communications technology front, we advanced important measures to protect our communications systems from undue foreign influence, ensure competitiveness in the industry, and prepare for the next generation of communications technology.
Both parties came together to put Americans first, and I genuinely hope to see more of that.
GOP Doctors Caucus
On Thursday, the GOP Doctors Caucus held a press conference with House Republican Whip Steve Scalise and House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik to discuss the emergence of COVID-19 variants, the continued need to uncover the origins of the virus, and the implications moving forward.
We continue to stress the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines, encourage Americans who have not been vaccinated to talk to their doctor – who they know and trust – about receiving one, and urge leaders not to panic and resort to shutdowns and unnecessary federal government mandates. The emergence of the Delta Variant and other variants changes nothing. We will also understand that it is critical for us to know the origin of the pandemic so that we can hold those responsible to account and be better prepared to prevent future outbreaks from becoming pandemics.
This Week in the District
Need To Renew Your Passport? READ THIS.
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. 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.
Higher Education Tax Credits
As a new school year approaches, students are considering what classes they need to take and how much the classes will cost. Whether it's community college, a trade school, a four-year university or an advanced degree, higher education is expensive. The good news is tax credits can help offset these costs.
These credits reduce the amount of tax someone owes. If the credit reduces tax to less than zero, the taxpayer could even receive a refund.
Taxpayers who pay for higher education in 2021 can see these tax savings when they file their tax return next year. If taxpayers, their spouses, or their dependents take post-high school coursework, they may be eligible for a tax benefit.
There are two credits available to help taxpayers save money on higher education, the American opportunity tax credit and the lifetime learning credit. Taxpayers use Form 8863, Education Credits, to claim the credits.
Read more here.
Hurricane Season Update
Are You Prepared?
A hurricane can cause widespread devastation during and after it occurs. Planning and preparing can make a big difference in safety and resiliency in the wake of a hurricane. The ability to quickly recover following a hurricane requires a focus on preparedness, advance planning, and knowing what to do in the event of a hurricane.
This guide from FEMA is designed to help you properly prepare for a hurricane and know how to protect yourself during and after one.
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
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A family of seven, parents and five children, submitted their applications to have their passports renewed at the same time earlier this year. With their trip quickly approaching, the family was extremely concerned because they only received six of the seven passports and were unable to get any information from the National Passport Information Center (NPIC) so they contacted my office. We were able to work with NPIC to have the passport application located, processed, and shipped in time for the family to make their trip.
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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