NEWS FROM THE SECOND DISTRICTDear Friend, This week, the House passed the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The biggest highlight from the NDAA is that it will reject the harmful cuts the Biden Administration wants to make to our military budget. Additionally, my amendment to increase funding to screen and develop treatments for COVID-19 and other novel and emerging biothreats was added to the bill.
Supporting our military is a top priority of mine. The bill is not yet finished, and there are some additional changes that I plan to advocate for when the House and Senate begin working on the final version of the bill. I hope that we can agree on a finished product and get the bill signed into law soon.
While we’re on the topic of national defense, I’d like to address an issue that’s worsening by the day – our southern border. Since President Biden took office and shredded the Trump Administration’s policies that kept our border secure, an unprecedented wave of migrants from around the world began arriving at the border. The surge of migrants has left our border patrol agents overwhelmed, and despite pleas for backup, the Biden Administration has ignored the cry for help.
The most outrageous part of it all is that the Administration is imposing mask and vaccine mandates while actively encouraging tens of thousands of actively infected COVID-19 individuals to cross our border illegally and then giving them transportation to destinations throughout America without testing or treatment. This situation is patently foolish. No other country in the world talks about "open borders" or other such foolishness. This is a disaster for national security and national health policy. This is occurring while the Biden Administration is forcing Americans to get vaccinated, but not the tens of thousands of migrants crossing the border each week. It is madness.
We must get this situation under control post haste. President Biden must reverse his disastrous and radical open border policies and finally secure our southern border.
Please read about my week below:
What’s Happening on Capitol Hill
This Week in the District
Updates for Veterans
Coronavirus Updates
What’s Happening on Capitol Hill
Addressing COVID-19’s Impact on Children
This past week, the House Energy and Commerce’s Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations met to discuss the impact COVID-19 has had on children. Witnesses included researchers and pediatricians with experience studying COVID-19 in children and its secondary impacts on children.
My Republican colleagues and I focused on the harmful effects of COVID policies on children and the failure of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to truly follow the science when it comes to classroom policies.
All of us share the goal of wanting to protect our children from the pandemic. I fear that, too often, on the contrary, we are harming our children by disrupting their formative years and natural social development in an effort to try to control the uncontrollable by secondary isolation measures. I hope that this discussion will highlight the need for a sense of normalcy and stability.
GOP Doctors Caucus on COVID-19 Treatments
I joined my GOP Doctors Caucus colleagues in leading members of House Republican Conference, including Leader Kevin McCarthy and Conference Chair Elise Stefanik in writing to Secretary of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, expressing concerns about a recent decision to transition monoclonal antibody distribution from a direct ordering process to a federally controlled distribution process.
“This change in distribution threatens to reduce or delay access to this life-saving therapy for the patients who need it most. Additionally, a slight delay in administration of this therapy could be fatal. As you know, providers and health systems are already required to report mAb distribution data to HHS. The federal government should not hinder the efforts of providers seeking to procure and administer this product. Disallowing direct supply of mAb while a new distribution system is being developed will cause further delays,” the members wrote. You can view the full letter here.
This Week in the District
Update from the Internal Revenue Service
The Internal Revenue Service recently sent a reminder f0r taxpayers about the upcoming Oct. 15 due date to file 2020 tax returns. People who asked for an extension should file on or before the extension deadline to avoid the penalty for filing late. Electronic filing options, such as IRS Free File, are still available.
Although Oct. 15 is the last day for most people to file, some taxpayers may have more time. They include:
- Members of the military and others serving in a combat zone. They typically have 180 days after they leave the combat zone to file returns and pay any taxes due.
- Taxpayers in federally declared disaster areas who already had valid extensions. For details, see the disaster relief page on IRS.gov.
There is usually no penalty for failure to file if the taxpayer is due a refund. However, people who wait too long to file and claim a refund, risk losing it altogether. Those who have yet to file a 2020 tax return, owe tax, and did not request an extension can generally avoid additional penalties and interest by filing the return as soon as possible and paying any taxes owed. Read more here.
Updates for Veterans
Do You Know Anyone In Afghanistan?
August 31st may have been the deadline to leave Afghanistan, but our work isn't done.
There are Americans and allies with pending Special Immigration Visas (SIVs) that have not been evacuated yet, and I will continue to work on their behalf.
If you have relatives, colleagues, friends, or loved ones currently in Afghanistan OR if you’re a veteran or service member in contact with an interpreter stuck in the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) process, please reach out to my office so we can try as best as we can to get them to safety.
Contact my office at 850-785-0812 or at www.dunn.house.gov.
Help is available. You are not alone.
On Tuesday, September 28 at 1:00 p.m., Katherine Eicher, Suicide Prevention Program Supervisor, will discuss the topic of crisis management and suicide prevention. Participants will have ample time to ask questions relating to the topic.
Register in advance at: http://bit.ly/VAView-Sep28
Password: VAView%Sep28
If you’re a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one, there are caring, qualified VA responders standing by to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The Veterans Crisis Line is a free, anonymous, confidential resource that’s available to anyone, even if you’re not registered with VA or enrolled in VA health care.
Call 800-273-8255
Coronavirus Updates
Get Vaccinated Floridians 12 and up are eligible to receive a 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.
Monoclonal antibody treatments
Early monoclonal antibody treatment saves lives. Antibodies help the immune system recognize and respond effectively to the virus. According to the treatment guidelines, monoclonal antibody therapy should be administered as soon as possible after diagnosis. Referrals are not required at any of the State of Florida monoclonal antibody treatment sites and treatment is available at no cost to patients.
If you or someone you know has tested positive for COVID-19, visit this link to find locations to receive monoclonal antibody treatment. For more information about the treatments, 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 when they felt their assigned Department of Veterans of Affairs Community Based Outpatient Clinic, offered in a very rural area, should offer more than their minimal services. After their concerns were shared with the VA, the veteran was contacted and was informed about alternative pathways to access care that they were unaware of - including video visits, telehealth, and community care. 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