NEWS FROM THE SECOND DISTRICTDear Friend, Friday’s U.S. Supreme Court decision to block President Biden’s aggressive COVID-19 vaccine mandate is a win for hardworking Americans and private businesses. I highly recommend the COVID-19 vaccine; however, this is not a decision to be made by the federal government.
Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch summed up the problem with the federal mandate perfectly:
“We do not impugn the intentions behind the agency’s mandate. Instead, we only discharge our duty to enforce the law’s demands when it comes to the question who may govern the lives of 84 million Americans. Respecting those demands may be trying in times of stress. But if this Court were to abide them only in more tranquil conditions, declarations of emergencies would never end and the liberties our Constitution’s separation of powers seeks to preserve would amount to little.”
Right now, hardworking Americans are grappling with the highest inflation rate in forty years, and our workforce is struggling thanks to President Biden’s failed leadership and job-killing policies. The last thing America needs is an overreaching mandate that further hurts our economy. The federal government and executive branch are limited for a reason, and I’m grateful the Supreme Court recognized that.
Unfortunately, the Supreme Court ruled that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is permitted to require health care workers at facilities participating in Medicare and Medicaid to be fully vaccinated, except for those with medical or religious exemptions. In essence, this limits the Constitutional rights of the healthcare workers as a separate and distinct class. Everyone else in the private sector has a different set of rights than healthcare workers. I don’t understand how Justices Kavanaugh and Roberts reached this conclusion. Further, this will add to the unnecessary strain on our health care industry and reduce access to care. The problem that our hospitals face now is not a shortage of beds, it is a shortage of staff. This decision only makes that problem worse.
My Republican colleagues and I recognize that this fight is not over. Last December, more than 150 of my colleagues and I joined a resolution under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) that will halt the president's mandate for virtually all healthcare employees by requiring a majority threshold to pass the House and Senate. We must put an end to President Biden’s burdensome mandates.
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
Standing Up for Human Rights
I recently joined House Energy & Commerce Ranking Member Cathy McMorris Rodgers in urging the International Olympic Committee’s official partners - which consists of Coca-Cola, Samsung, Toyota, Visa, Intel, P&G, Panasonic, Omega, Atos, Bridgestone, Allianz, Alibaba, and Airbnb - to bring attention to the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) history of human rights abuses, specifically genocide, forced labor, and the suppression of free speech.
Like our athletes competing abroad, all companies doing business in the U.S. must be examples to the world. With the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics commencing on February 4th, we are asking these companies how they will use their creative and financial investments in the games to shed light on what media coverage and commercials will likely not showcase. The Chinese Communist Party’s actions are inhumane and unacceptable. American companies should use their platforms to call out the CCP’s authoritarian regime.
Read more from Leader Rodgers and view all the letters here.
This Week in the District
Let’s Save Lives! Donate Blood Today.
Our district knows well that a disaster can strike at any moment. That’s why it’s critical for us to maintain an ample supply of blood donations. Right now, donations are the lowest they’ve been in over a decade. If you’re able to give blood, I encourage you to make blood donation a habit. You never know when you or a loved one might be in need.
To learn about more how to donate blood, click here.
Update from the Internal Revenue Service
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will begin accepting and processing 2021 tax returns on January 24, 2022. The filing deadline is April 18, automatic extensions of time to file are available.
Before you prepare to file your taxes this year, please review the following information: - The IRS has issued all Economic Impact Payments (EIPs). If you didn't get one of the three Economic Impact Payments or got less than the full amount, you may be eligible to claim a Recovery Rebate Credit (RRC) on your 2020 or 2021 federal tax return. To claim a 2020 or 2021 RRC, you will need to know the amount of your EIPs. Also, it is important to understand that the Economic Impact Payments applied to different tax years.
- Recipients of Advance Child Tax Credit payments will need to compare the amount of payments received during 2021 with the amount of the Child Tax Credit that can be claimed on their 2021 tax return. If you received less than the amount you are eligible for, you can claim a credit for the remaining amount. If you received more than you are eligible for, you may need to repay some or all of the excess amount. The IRS will send Letter 6419 in January of 2022 to provide the total amount of advance Child Tax Credit payments that were received in 2021. The IRS urges taxpayers receiving these letters to make sure they hold onto them to assist them in preparing their 2021 federal tax returns in 2022.
Updates for Veterans
Changes to the NF/SGVHS Website
The North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System (NF/SGVHS) is kicking off the new year with a bang! They’ve launched a new website that is geared to provide you with better service and an easier online experience.
The new website features: - Directions to main medical centers and associated clinics
- Phone numbers
- Parking and transportation information
- Hospital and clinic hours
- Patient registration
- Making appointments and refilling prescriptions
You will find a new complete list of VA health services, social programs, and care coordinators, including: - Primary and specialty care
- Mental health care
- Caregiver support and care coordinators for LGBT Veterans, women Veterans, returning service members, and more
Veterans, families, and caregivers told the VA that their websites were confusing to navigate, contained outdated or missing information, and do not match their VA health care journey. The VA used your feedback to develop the new site to provide everything Veterans, families, and caregivers need to prepare for a visit, get care, and connect with your VA health care team.
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 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 Pfizer vaccine is authorized for persons aged 12 and up. The Moderna and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccines are authorized for persons aged 18 and up.
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration recently announced the authorization of single booster doses for the Pfizer, Moderna, and Janssen vaccines. You can find more information about the boosters here. Please consult your doctor before getting a COVID-19 vaccine or booster.
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.
Supplies are limited. If you cannot find a location offering this treatment, please contact your healthcare provider for guidance.
Please consult your doctor before getting a COVID-19 vaccine or booster.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 being awarded disability benefits by the Social Security Administration (SSA), a constituent contacted my office when six months had passed and their nearly $24,000 in retroactive benefits still had not been released. To help ease the constituent’s financial hardship, we were able to work with SSA to have the calculations finalized and the benefits released within a couple of weeks.
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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