NEWS FROM THE SECOND DISTRICTDear Friend, This past week, I voted against a gun control bill. This bill will not curb acts of violence the way the Left expects. With the rise in crime and an insecure southern border, restricting our right to keep and bear arms is not in our best interest. However, as a father and a grandfather, I understand the need to protect our children.
Here are two bills I am cosponsoring -
STOP II, Secure Every School and Protect Our Nation’s Children Act - This bill would fund the following: additional school resource officers, mental health counselors, hardening schools, closing loopholes in school safety, active shooter training, and training for guidance counselors, law enforcement, and students on intervening with students before they reach a breaking point.
Firearm Proficiency and Training Act - This bill would include a $250 tax credit for responsible gun owners who invest in safe storage and strong protections to ensure the IRS cannot track who is utilizing the credit, thus building a list or registry of gun owners. This creates incentives for law-abiding Americans instead of infringing on Constitutional rights.
There are ways to effectively address this issue with commonsense solutions that protect our children without limiting the Second Amendment.
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
NEWSWEEK: Mark McQueen - Hurricane Season and the Need for Preparedness
WTXL (TALLAHASSEE): Student from Jackson County wins 2022 Congressional Art Competition Winner
WALL STREET JOURNAL: As Gas Prices Near $5 a Gallon, Record Fuel Costs Upend Businesses, U.S. Economy
A Recap of My Week
Visiting with Sheriff Tommy Ford
Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford stopped by my office in Washington, D.C. to say “hello.” Sheriff Ford does an exceptional job in Bay County. He and his team were instrumental in helping the community following Hurricane Michael and the recent wildfires. His commitment to our county and district is second to none, and I cannot thank him enough for his commitment to protecting and serving.
Bills I’m Supporting
More Options for Infants and Parents Act - The bill would seek to provide the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) with additional flexibilities to continue responding to the baby formula shortage. The bill would, specifically: - Require the FDA to act within 14-days of enactment on all pending domestic baby formula submissions
- Requires the Secretary to publish and keep an up-to-date list on the FDA’s website that details which formula products may be appropriate substitutes for products for infants and individuals with amino-acid or metabolic conditions
- Gives the Secretary the ability to waive any applicable labeling and nutritional requirements to facilitate substitutions for products in shortage
Strengthening Our Health Security Act – The bill would prohibit terminating Title 42 until at least 60 days after the public health emergency has ended and a plan for processing migrants at the border has been submitted to Congress. Additionally, the bill would require the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), in consultation with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, to submit a plan to Congress at least 30 days before the termination of Title 42. If that deadline is not met, the termination is delayed until at least 30 days after a plan is submitted.
The plan must include: - The process for screening migrants for COVID-19 and other communicable diseases
- Testing capacity
- Protocols to protect Federal employees (border patrol, HHS workers at the border, etc.) against COVID-19 and communicable disease
- Process for screening for controlled substances attempted to be imported illicitly, including fentanyl
- Preventing the spread/treatment of other communicable diseases
Letters I’m Supporting
I recently signed onto a House Energy and Commerce letter to the Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Jennifer Granholm and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Chairman Richard Glick regarding the North American Electric Reliability Corporation’s (NERC) recent assessment concerning the reliability of the bulk power system for the upcoming summer months. NERC’s assessment reported that more than half the nation will be at elevated risk of power outages this summer. The letter asks DOE Secretary Granholm and FERC Chairman Glick to describe what specific actions FERC is taking to address energy or electricity emergencies.
Updates From Federal Agencies
Announcement About Pending Tax Returns
My office has received several requests for assistance with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). These requests involve pending tax returns and the need to have refunds released immediately. When you submit a privacy release form authorizing my office to engage with the IRS on your behalf, we highly recommend that you provide my office with evidence of financial hardship and immediate need so the IRS can prioritize your return. If you have any questions, please call my office at 850-785-0812.
Missed the April tax deadline?
The Internal Revenue Service advises taxpayers who missed the April tax deadline to avoid a larger penalty by filing their 2021 federal income tax return and paying any tax due by Tuesday, June 14.
To avoid the larger penalty, the IRS must receive the return by June 14. This means that a return mailed on that date will not qualify. For that reason, the IRS urges everyone to file electronically by June 14.
In addition, taxpayers can also limit late-payment penalties and interest charges by paying their taxes electronically. The fastest and easiest way to do that is with IRS Direct Pay, a free service available only on IRS.gov. Several other electronic payment options are also available. Visit IRS.gov/payments for details.
Learn more about what to do if you missed the April deadline 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 veteran’s primary care physician submitted a referral for their acupuncture treatment to be continued; however, after nearly two months, the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Community Care (OCC) still had not processed the referral. After the veteran contacted my office, we were able to work with OCC to have the referral processed promptly so the veteran could resume their treatment.
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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