NEWS FROM THE SECOND DISTRICTDear Friend, This has been a tough week for our district. We’ve been hit with devastating wildfires and severe weather. Luckily, the rain has helped with the wildfires, but we still have a long road ahead of us. These trials have been discouraging, but I know we will rise above this.
Here are the most recent wildfire stats:
Adkins Ave Fire - 875 acres; 95% contained
Star Ave Fire - 197 acres; 95% contained
Bertha Swamp Rd Fire - 33,131; 60% contained
This will be the final update from the Florida Forest Service on these fires barring any substantial changes. FFS will continue to monitor the Bertha Swamp Rd Fire and alert us if any hotspots arise. With that said, burn bans are still in place throughout our district. Since wildfires don’t happen nearly as often as storms, here is a great resource for us all to be wildfire ready.
Our district always comes together in times of crisis, and these disasters are no different. Our firefighters, first responders, and National Guard have done an outstanding job protecting our communities! Thanks to them, we’ve had ZERO injuries and ZERO deaths. Our amazing volunteers have also been instrumental in helping evacuees and fire rescue teams. Thank you all for your hard work and dedication! You are all heroes. 
Please read about my week below:
What’s Happening on Capitol Hill
This Week in the District
Updates from Federal Agencies
What’s Happening on Capitol Hill
The Omnibus Spending Bill
This past week, the House passed the Omnibus Spending bill that included aid for Ukraine. Russia’s vicious and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine shook the entire world and left the breadbasket of Europe in dire need of aid. Putin’s violent effort to reconstitute the U.S.S.R. must be stopped. The aid included in the omnibus package will give Ukrainians the resources they need to stand up to Putin. I’m thankful the House came together to help protect the freedom and sovereignty of our friends in Ukraine.
The omnibus spending package also includes an increase in defense funding of over 5 percent. Our reliance on Continuing Resolutions left us with a budget that failed to recognize new challenges to our national security. This funding enables us to adequately care for our service members and strengthen our military readiness against new world threats.
Bills I’m Cosponsoring
The Fair and Open Competition Act (H.R. 1284) - This bill prohibits federal construction contracts from requiring or prohibiting project labor agreements. Such documents also may not discriminate against or give preference to a bidder or contractor who signs or refuses to sign a project labor agreement.
The American Ammo in Defense of Ukraine Act (H.R. 6981) - The legislation would waive the Department of State and Department of Commerce’s export criteria on ammunition to expedite ammunition donations to Ukraine.
The Prohibiting Oil Trade with Venezuela’s Tyrant Act (H.R. 7023) – This bill would require the president to prohibit the importation of all petroleum products originating from Venezuela.
Letters I’ve Signed Onto
I recently joined House Energy & Commerce Republican leadership in a letter to President Biden and U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm urging the Administration to prioritize American-made energy and halt all imports of Russian oil in the U.S. This letter went out on March 7th, before President Biden suspended oil imports.
I also joined Republican Whip Steve Scalise’s letter to President Biden that identifies actions he can take now to promote American oil and gas production. You can read the recommended actions here.
Another letter I signed onto was led by Senator Marco Rubio to Commerce Secretary Raimondo urging her to deny a request for a Changed Circumstances Review, which is being advocated for by Mexican importers. This would allow their specialty tomato growers to circumvent the requirements of the suspension agreement. This request would negatively impact Florida farmers’ ability to compete with Mexico.
This Week in the District
Emergency Funding for Wildfires
Governor Ron DeSantis and I have urged the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to assist our district with the recent wildfires. Here’s what has been approved:
On March 4, the state of Florida submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) for Bay County. The FEMA Region 4 Administrator approved the state’s request later that day, as the fire threatened to become a major disaster.
On March 8, the state requested to add Calhoun and Gulf counties to the Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG). That same day, the FEMA Region 4 Administrator approved the state’s request to add Calhoun County to the existing FMAG. The regional administrator determined the threat to Gulf County would not constitute a major disaster eligible for funding.
FMAGs provide federal funding for up to 75 percent of eligible firefighting costs. Eligible costs covered by FMAGs can include expenses for field camps, equipment use, materials, supplies and mobilization, and demobilization activities attributed to fighting the fire.
Meeting with Columbia County Officials
This past week, the Columbia County Manager David Kraus, Economic Development Director Glenn Hunter, Economic Development Specialist Jennifer Daniels, and Katie Peterson and Clay Boothby of Merchant McIntyre stopped by my Capitol Hill office to update me on efforts to improve local and regional infrastructure, as well as efforts to increase economic opportunities for constituents. Thank you all for stopping by!
U.S. Military Service Academy Day I’m hosting a United States Military Service Academy Day for students in Florida’s Second Congressional District. Informational sessions will be held in Columbia, Leon, and Bay counties on Saturday, March 26th, 2022. High school and eighth-grade students who are interested in attending a service academy are invited to come, along with their parents. Click here for more details.
Updates From Federal Agencies
IRS: Tips to Avoid Tax Season Fraud
- Choose a tax preparer wisely. Look for a preparer who is available year-round.
- Ask your tax preparer for their IRS Preparer Tax Identification Number. The IRS requires all paid preparers to have one.
- Don’t use a ghost preparer. They won’t sign a tax return they prepare for you.
- Don’t fall victim to tax preparers’ promises of large refunds. Taxpayers must pay their fair share of taxes.
- Don’t sign a blank tax return. Taxpayers are ultimately responsible for what appears on tax returns filed with the IRS.
- Make sure you receive your refund. It should be deposited in your bank account, not your tax preparer’s.
- The IRS won’t call you threatening legal action. If you receive a call like this, hang up.
- Don’t respond to text messages, emails, or social media posts claiming to be the IRS. They may contain malware that could compromise your personal information.
- Don’t click links or open attachments in unsolicited emails or text messages about your tax return. These messages are fraudulent.
- Protect your personal and financial information. Never provide this information in response to unsolicited text messages, emails, or social media posts claiming to be the IRS.
Updated Passport Services and Processing Times
The State Department recently made some changes to passport services and issued updated processing times. Click here for more info.
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 Congressman Dunn weighs in on how Hurricane Michael debris fueled the wildfire
Congressman Dunn Supports Bill Banning Importing Oil from Venezuela Constituent Casework Corner
A constituent contacted my office after they were sent the wrong information from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They needed a copy of their previous year’s 1099 to close on a home loan. We were able to work with the local SSA office to have the correct information promptly sent to the constituent.
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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