NEWS FROM THE SECOND DISTRICTDear Friend,
This past week, the economic crisis continued with news that the Consumer Price Index (CPI), a key inflation index, hit a 30-year high. In October, the CPI increased by 0.9% to 6.2%. This news comes just weeks before Thanksgiving, which is already expected to be the most expensive in the history of the holiday. Additionally, families will also be paying even more to heat their homes this holiday season, with home heating bills projected to rise by as much as 54% compared to last winter.
Hardworking Americans are footing the bill for the Democrats’ socialist agenda, and the Biden Administration’s response is to double down and continue pushing their far-left priorities. This is irresponsible.
Prices have gone up every single month of Joe Biden’s presidency - and economists project that it will last well into 2022. Inflation is a tax on all Americans. If the Biden Administration truly wants to “build back better,” then they must stop the frivolous spending and work on real solutions for the American people.
Read about my week: This Week in the District
What’s Happening on Capitol Hill
Coronavirus Updates
This Week in the District
Visiting Franklin County
I had a wonderful time visiting Franklin County School this week! It was an honor talking to the Government and Civics classes as well as to the cadets of the new NJROTC program about the importance of public service, leadership, and preserving our Constitution.
This year marks the historical start of the Navy Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) program in the Franklin County School District. This is something the community has wanted for many years and will be a tremendous opportunity for students. JROTC programs focus on building leaders -- whether it’s military leaders or community leaders. This program will help Franklin County students build the life skills they need to succeed in adulthood.
Superintendent Steve Lanier, Principal Laurence Pender, and the teachers and staff of Franklin County School are doing a superb job shaping the minds of this next generation.
Thank you all for the warm welcome! It was truly a pleasure.
I later stopped by Lynn’s Quality Oysters, one of many outstanding restaurants in Franklin County. Lynn’s Quality Oysters is a family-owned and operated business with more than 40 years of experience in the Apalachicola seafood industry. Our oyster industry and small businesses have faced a great deal of adversity in the past couple of years. I’m proud of Lynn Martina and other business owners throughout the county for persevering. Thank you all for the hospitality!
While in Franklin County, I stopped to check in with the team at George Weems Memorial Hospital. Weems is a 25-bed critical access hospital that serves from Alligator Point to Apalachicola. The hospital offers emergency services, specialty care resources, and two medical offices located in Apalachicola and Carrabelle.
Thank you, CEO David Walker and staff, for welcoming me and giving me an update on your operations! You’re all doing excellent work and I appreciate your service to Franklin County.
Celebrating Veterans Day in Bay County
On Thursday, I had the honor of attending the city of Panama City Beach’s first-ever Veterans Day Parade. Later during the sunset ceremony, I served as the keynote speaker and spoke about patriotism and the many sacrifices our veterans and their families have made. As an Army veteran, this day means a great deal to me. I served alongside some of the most dedicated and selfless veterans. What I learned from them has helped me serve this country as a service member, as a doctor, and as your Representative. These veterans taught me to do the hard work, take the risks, and make the sacrifices necessary to make America safer, make the world safer.
Thank you all for having me! And may God bless our veterans!
Important Disaster Loan Information
For residents of Taylor, Dixie, Jefferson, Lafayette, and Madison Counties - The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding businesses of all sizes, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners, and renters in Florida of the Nov. 23 deadline to apply for physical damage disaster loans. Anyone in the declared counties with damages affected by the severe storms and flooding on Aug. 3 – 7, 2021, should apply for the low-interest disaster loan program. You can read more about this here.
What’s Happening on Capitol Hill
A Purple Heart for Jolly 51 Crew
This past week, I joined my colleagues in a letter to Department of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin requesting consideration from the U.S. Department of Defense in awarding the Purple Heart to the crew members of the Jolly 51.
Capt. Mark K. Weber, Capt. Andreas B. O’Keefe, Capt. Christopher T. Zanetis, Master Sgt. Christopher J. Raguso, Staff Sgt. Dashan J. Briggs, Master Sgt. William R. Posch, and Staff Sgt. Carl P. Enis made the ultimate sacrifice on March 15, 2018, in a helicopter crash. Staff Sgt. Carl P. Enis was a member of Florida’s Second Congressional District.
As an Army veteran and as Representative of Florida-02, I proudly support the request of awarding the Purple Heart medal to Staff Sgt. Carl P. Enis and the crew members of Jolly 51. We can never repay the debt we owe them and their families, but this honor will ensure their dedication to our nation is deservedly recognized and never forgotten.
Jackson County FSA Staffing Issues
I recently joined Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott in sending a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack urging him to address ongoing staffing issues at the Farm Service Agency (FSA) office in Jackson County, Florida.
The Jackson County FSA is responsible for vitally important agriculture programs that provide much-needed assistance to the Second District of Florida. Producers in Northwest Florida have experienced delayed claims and relief payments for years – and USDA has made no progress. Many of the open cases at Jackson County FSA date back to Hurricane Michael and much of this is due to a lack of resources and support from the state FSA office. This is unacceptable. USDA must acknowledge the importance of effectively administering FSA programs and rectify this situation immediately.
Read the full letter here.
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 aged 12 and up. The Moderna vaccine is authorized for persons aged 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.
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration recently announced the authorization of single booster doses for the Pfizer, Moderna, and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccines. You can find more information about the boosters here. Please consult your doctor before getting a booster vaccine.
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
| IN THE NEWS Rubio, Scott, Dunn send letter to USDA about Jackson County problems
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Constituent Casework Corner
A constituent contacted my office after waiting months for the Social Security Administration (SSA) to release their retroactive benefits or give any update on their case. We were able to work with SSA to have the benefits processed and released in a timely manner.
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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