NEWS FROM THE SECOND DISTRICTDear Friend, On Tuesday, I met with local law enforcement, the North Florida High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program, and the Florida Counterdrug Program at the Florida Sheriffs Association to discuss the rise in overdoses caused by fentanyl analogues.
Our district lost too many lives to overdoses caused by fentanyl analogues in 2022 alone. These deadly drugs are tearing families and communities apart, and the only way to stop the spread is by working together to get them off our streets.
Biggest takeaways from the meeting – - The grant process to receive and account for federal funds is too difficult and often too restrictive to meet the needs of law enforcement and agencies.
- Ad campaigns are needed to educate the community about the extreme danger of these substances and their ubiquitous presence in the illegal drug supply throughout America. This education is especially important among our youth.
- Law enforcement agencies are struggling to recruit and retain officers due to a lack of funds and a prominent national narrative that is negative toward the profession. U.S. Border Patrol faces similar problems, which make it harder to stop drug traffickers at the Southern border.
Our law enforcement and first responders are at the frontlines of this epidemic, and their insight is critical to finding solutions at a federal level. I plan to regularly meet with them to get their feedback and bring new ideas for potential solutions to Washington. 
Please read about my week below:
Top Reads of the Week
A Recap of My Week
Updates from Agencies
Top Reads of the Week
FLORIDA DAILY: Congressman Dunn & Florida Republicans Urge Navy Secretary to Speed Up Benefits for Retired Sailors
FOX NEWS: CBS calls out 'inconvenient truth' behind Biden's 'clean energy' electric vehicle push
WALL STREET JOURNAL: U.S. Mortgage Rates Top 7%, Highest in More Than 20 Years
A Recap of My Week
Eastern Shipbuilding Update
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In July, Eastern Shipbuilding in Panama City lodged a protest against the U.S. Coast Guard’s decision to award a contract for 11 Offshore Patrol Cutters (OPC) to foreign-based company Austal after previously hiring Eastern to build the first four OPCs. The U.S. Coast Guard recently announced in a letter to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) that they will no longer cooperate with Eastern Shipbuilding’s protest because of my involvement.
In the past few months, I sent multiple letters to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) expressing my concerns about how the decision was made. Apparently, the Coast Guard took issue with these letters.
As the elected Representative of Florida’s Second Congressional District, I have the right and the responsibility to voice my concerns and provide oversight to federal agencies. Especially when there are possible ethics violations and threats to our national security. This is why I sent another letter to DHS about the Coast Guard’s withdrawal.
It is extremely concerning that the Coast Guard would fail to do its duty when I did mine over very real concerns into matters that jeopardize our national defense. That the Coast Guard would then retaliate against Eastern Shipbuilding because I fulfilled my sworn responsibility is outrageous. Their actions in this matter raise very serious concerns that must be addressed immediately.
Visiting Maximus
Earlier this past week, I stopped by Maximus to tour the facility and gain insight into its call center operations. Maximus specializes in improving the lives of individuals and families by providing high-quality, cost-effective healthcare solutions that span federal, state, and local government programs.
Thank you all for your insight and warm hospitality!
Visiting Florida State University Schools
Thank you, Mr. Ferguson & Florida State University Schools (FSUS), for inviting me to speak to your 7th-grade Civics class! I enjoyed meeting the students, staff, and FSU legend, Charlie Ward. 
Here’s What I’m Supporting
MERIT Act (H.R. 9127) - This bill would rein in the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services, prohibiting them from making coverage determinations against an entire class of drugs. Earlier this year, CMS severely limited coverage of Aduhelm in a way that could impede coverage for any future Alzheimer’s drug that receives FDA approval. Seniors deserve access to novel medications based on their individual merit, not the class of drugs to which they belong.
HR 6647 – This bill would improve the reimbursement process for veterans who need emergency treatment in the community.
Saving Access to Laboratory Services Act (H.R. 8188) - This bill will prevent harmful cuts to lab services which, if put into effect, will jeopardize access to important lab services such as pathology and flu testing.
I recently joined the GOP Doctors Caucus on a letter to the Department of Veterans Affairs expressing concern with the current practices for the prevention and treatment of pressure injuries and ulcers. Data indicates that VA medical centers experience higher rates of complications attributed to pressure injuries than comparable non-VA facilities and this letter asks the Secretary to adopt recently published international guidelines developed by the U.S. National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel.
Updates From Agencies
VA: Say “BOO” to the Flu North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System is offering flu shots at all their sites. They have the standard dose and the adjuvant dose for those 65 years of age and older.
You can also get your flu shot at the VA during routine primary care appointments or at the 70,000 community locations nationwide. Click here for hours of operation for each flu vaccine clinic.
The community partners who provided your vaccine in the past may change this year, so check with your local VA facility for local options. Click here for more information.
If you received your flu shot outside of the VA, please share this information with your VA healthcare team so it can be documented in your health record.
It’s time to say “BOO” to the flu and get your vaccination today.
IRS: Child Tax Credit Payments
The Internal Revenue Service reminds families that some taxpayers who claim at least one child as their dependent on their tax return may not realize they could be eligible to benefit from the Child Tax Credit (CTC).
Eligible taxpayers who received advance Child Tax Credit payments last year should file a 2021 tax return to receive the second half of the credit. Eligible taxpayers who did not receive advance Child Tax Credit payments last year can claim the full credit by filing a 2021 tax return.
The IRS urges grandparents, foster parents, or people caring for siblings or other relatives to check their eligibility to receive the 2021 Child Tax Credit. It's important for people who might qualify for this credit to review the eligibility rules to make sure they still qualify. Taxpayers can use the Interactive Tax Assistant to check eligibility. Taxpayers who haven't qualified in the past should also check because they may now be able to claim the credit. To receive it, eligible individuals must file a 2021 federal tax return.
Read more 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 traveling overseas contacted my office when they realized they lost their passport before arriving at the airport. We worked with the constituent to extend their layover so they could secure an in-person passport replacement appointment. The issue was quickly resolved, and the constituent made it home to check on their family.
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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