NEWS FROM THE SECOND DISTRICTDear Friend, This week, the House voted on the Democrats’ tax and spending package. Speaker Pelosi ignored the needs of the hardworking Americans currently grappling with high gas prices and skyrocketing inflation and rammed through a bill that will cost them TRILLIONS.
This bill is over 2,000 pages and we’ve had little time to review the final language. Americans deserve better than Speaker Pelosi’s “We have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it…”
The bill ultimately passed in the House, with all Republicans voting NO. I hope that my colleagues in the Senate will push back on the Democrats’ far-left agenda and vote against this bill, as well.
We cannot expect the American people to foot the bill for the Democrats’ Socialist wish list. Let’s focus on investing in people instead of Washington bureaucrats.
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
Fighting Back Against the Vaccine Mandate
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I recently joined over 160 of my Republican colleagues in introducing a Congressional Review Act resolution to formally disapprove of and nullify President Joe Biden’s unconstitutional vaccine mandate imposed on America’s job creators and workers. The Biden Administration’s vaccination requirement will affect more than 80 million Americans and impose $14,000 fines for persons who do not comply. This is unacceptable. I recommend getting the COVID-19 vaccine, but the decision should be between you and your doctor – not the federal government.
Luckily, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit agreed and placed a hold on mandate enforcement. Because of this ruling, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has announced that the mandate is suspended pending litigation. We don’t know how long the hold will last so it’s imperative to keep fighting back against this unconstitutional power grab. Our bill is a great first step. I also applaud Governor DeSantis and the Florida Legislature’s efforts to combat this oppressive mandate. Hardworking Americans cannot afford to lose their jobs due to this mandate.
House Energy & Commerce Committee
This week the House Energy and Commerce Committee advanced 12 bipartisan bills. Nine of the bills were public health focused and previously advanced by me and my colleagues on the Health Subcommittee. The bills addressed provider mental health, workforce issues, and children’s health.
Two of the bills were related to telecom, aimed at ensuring spectrum coordination and consumer protection in online marketplaces, respectively. The final bill funds the Travel Promotion Fund, which will boost the U.S. tourism industry.
Republican members also used this opportunity to call out the failings of Nancy Pelosi’s tax and spending spree, including provisions that should have gone through our committee but have been added by the Democrats at the last minute.
You can watch the full markup here.
This Week in the District
The Brian Rust Show
On Monday, I joined the Brian Rust Show on News Talk 101 in Panama City to discuss President Biden’s latest vaccine mandate, inflation, and the border crisis. You can listen to the episode here. My interview begins at the 107:20 mark.
Thank you, Brian, for inviting me on! It’s always a pleasure chatting with you.
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 (THIS TUESDAY) 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.
Updates for Veterans
Important Update from GCVHCS
North Florida/ South Georgia Veterans Health System (NF/SGVHS) continues to get back to the business of serving Veterans. As more Veterans, family members, and caregivers receive the COVID-19 vaccines- and communities across the country experience decreasing in COVID-19 cases- a new normal is emerging for our health system that includes blending in-person and telehealth services.
Safety is ingrained in our culture and the foundation of everything we do. We have updated our safety measures to guarantee that Veterans have the best experience when visiting one of our health facilities while continuing to ensure we mitigate the risk of COVID-19 in our local communities.
Effective immediately the following changes have been made to our safety precautions: - All clinical services (Primary Care, Mental Health, and Specialty Care) are at 100% capacity for face-to-face appointments. Virtual/Connected Care options are available as clinically appropriate and/or Veteran’s preference.
- Visitation:
- COVID/Isolation Patients: Visitation restricted.
- Acute/Critical Care Visitation for Non-COVID Patients: Two visitors at a time are permitted between the hours of 9:00am-9:00pm. Overnight stays authorized on a case-by-case basis by the unit charge nurse/nurse manager.
- Community Living Center (CLC) Visitation: Gainesville and Lake City- Visitation permitted on designated days by appointment only. Contact staff of the CLC Unit for schedule.
- End of Life Visitation: Granted on a case-by-case basis. The primary Medical Team will discuss the special protocols with the patient’s visitor and coordinate the visit.
- Visitors for Outpatient Appointments: Visitors for outpatient appointments, procedures, and within the Emergency Department will continue to be limited to one essential caregiver/support person for those needing assistance with physical or cognitive challenges.
- No visitors under 12 (including infants) are permitted into the facility (Exception: Under 12 allowed for Veterans receiving Family Therapy)
- Volunteers that are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are welcomed back into NF/SGVHS operations. Learn how to become a volunteer here.
- COVID-19 Entry Point Screening: Malcom Randall VA Medical Center and Lake City VA Medical will screen Veterans and visitors at main entry points. All other clinics will provide COVID-19 screening questions and resources at designated entry points and check-in points of care. You can expedite the process by texting “SCREEN” to 53079 or visit www.va.gov/covid19screen/ on your mobile device. This digital pre-entry screening tool allows Veterans, caregivers, and employees to answer questions on their mobile phones and share their results with screeners upon admittance to any of our facilities.
Visit our COVID-19 Page to view information on how to obtain your COVID-19 vaccine or booster as well as updated information on our operational status as it becomes available.
Our safety measures for physical distancing and appropriate personal protective attire- including a face mask for inside areas- will remain in place at all of our facilities as services continue to expand.
Help is available. You are not alone.
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 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
| Constituent Casework Corner
A constituent, whose passport was mistakenly reported stolen, reached out to my office after her passport was seized by Customs and Border Protection. The constituent immediately applied for a replacement; however, with the current passport delays, the process was not going smoothly. My team stepped in to help with retrieving the new passport, and now, the constituent will make their vacation early next year.
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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