NEWS FROM THE SECOND DISTRICTDear Friend, Today wraps up National Police Week. Our law enforcement officers have one of the hardest, most thankless jobs - especially while Democrats are running Washington. According to the National Fraternal Order of Police, shootings of police officers have increased 38% compared to this time in 2020. 123 officers have been shot do far in 2022, and 39 officers have been shot in ambush-style attacks.
These officers are someone’s spouse, parent, friend, or neighbor. Law enforcement officers not only risk themselves to protect us from criminals daily, these are the people we lean on in times of crisis like when a hurricane hits or when our neighborhoods are threatened by a wildfire. Yet many of the Left continue to call for the defunding of police and amplify dangerous rhetoric that leads to more deadly attacks.
Our law enforcement deserve our support and thanks all year round. Our communities would not be the same without these brave individuals, and we continue to pray for their safety and strength.
To all the law enforcement throughout Florida’s Second Congressional District – THANK YOU for all you do!
Please read about my week below:
Top Reads of the Week
A Recap of My Week
Updates from Federal Agencies
Top Reads of the Week
WCTV (TALLAHASSEE): Plan to rename Tallahassee’s federal courthouse back on track WMBB (PANAMA CITY): Holmes County baseball wins Class 1A State Title FOX NEWS: House Republicans introducing Babies Need More Formula Now Act to address shortage THE HILL: Senate and House pass bill to expand infant formula access AIR FORCE MAGAZINE: Air Force’s Biggest MILCON Contract Ever on Record Goes to Tyndall Rebuild
A Recap of My Week
House Energy & Commerce Committee
The House Energy & Commerce Committee considered six bills this past week. These bills aim to improve mental health care, lower drug costs for patients, and support medical innovation. I want to highlight the Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act as it is the first major effort to date to address the mental health crisis amongst our youth caused by lockdowns and school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic. I’m grateful that we could work across the aisle to push this bill forward and put the well-being of our children first. You can watch the hearing here.
Bills I’m Cosponsoring
Military Spouse Hiring Act (H.R. 2974) - This bill will introduce military spouses as a target group under the Work Opportunity Tax Credit, thus incentivizing businesses to hire military spouses – which they are often reluctant to due to the impending departures caused by permanent change of station moves. With nearly 63,000 active duty servicemembers and 38,000 Guard and Reserve stationed in Florida (about half of which are married), this legislation can have a significant impact on the financial stability and well-being of many military families in the state. Additionally, with 39% of servicemembers citing spouse employment concerns as a top reason for leaving service, spouse unemployment is also a retention issue.
Health Care Fairness for Military Families Act (H.R. 475) - This bill modifies the extension of dependent coverage under TRICARE by allowing a dependent under the age of 26 to be covered without an additional premium. Additionally, the bill authorizes such coverage of dependents without a premium regardless of whether they are eligible to enroll in an employer sponsored plan.
Letters I’ve Signed Onto Earlier this month, the United States Senate unanimously passed S. 4160, the Supreme Court Police Parity Act of 2022. The next day, a House companion bill (H.R. 7705) was introduced by Congressman Issa. My colleagues and I sent a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi urging her to bring S. 4160/H.R. 7705 to the floor as soon as possible. Our Supreme Court Justices have faced multiple personal threats following the leak of the draft opinion for Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. They need protection. Speaker Pelosi must treat the personal threats to Supreme Court Justices with the urgency this situation demands.
Updates From Federal Agencies
Disaster Assistance Deadline is Approaching The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private nonprofit organizations that June 20 is the filing deadline for federal economic injury disaster loans in North Florida and South Georgia as a result of the tropical storm, wind and rainfall that occurred on July 7, 2021.
Low-interest disaster loans are available in the following counties: Columbia, Hamilton, and Madison in Florida. Click here for more information.
Access VA Care Through Video Telehealth Would you like to be able to reach your healthcare provider at a touch of a button? With VA Video Connect, this is all possible. If you have difficulty traveling to your local VA facility, are too busy to attend an in-person appointment, or don’t need an in-person examination, you can use VA Video Connect app to conduct real-time video appointments with your VA providers. Quickly and easily meet with your VA care team over a secure and private video connection using your smartphone, computer, or tablet. How to get started with VA Video Connect: - Talk with your VA provider to see if telehealth is a good fit for your care.
- Learn more at https://mobile.va.gov/app/va-video-connect
- For help setting up VA Video Connect on your device, call the Office of Connected Care Help Desk toll free at 866-651-3180
VA Video Connect appointments are secure and private. Reach out to your provider to get you started today!
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
| 
No comments:
Post a Comment