NEWS FROM THE SECOND DISTRICTDear Friend, On Wednesday evening, the House voted to pass the “For the People Act.” Do not let the name fool you. This bill was for the politicians, not the people.
It’s deeply concerning that the House continues to pass (in party-line votes) large bills that from the surface look like they’re in the nation’s best interest, but are actually riddled with special interests and ways to put your money in the pockets of D.C. politicians.
House Democrats want to control our elections and our free speech. Frankly, they have no business sticking their noses in our elections. I’m sick of watching as Democrats continue to trample on the Constitution.
D.C. politicians should never be put ahead of the people. You sent me here to represent you, not myself.
Read more about this vote and other happenings this past week below: Update from Capitol Hill
This Week in the District
Coronavirus Updates
Update from Capitol Hill
Voting on the Election Reform Bill
The House Democrats election reform bill passed the House on Wednesday evening by a party-line vote of 220 to 210. Among its most egregious provisions, the bill would: - Uses taxpayer money to directly fund congressional political campaigns.
- Gives away $25 to every individual in the U.S. to donate to the candidates of their choice.
- Nullifies existing state election laws in favor of federal mandates in direct opposition to the U.S. Constitution in areas such as voter registration, absentee ballots, and ballot integrity measures.
- Restricts a state’s ability to maintain their own voter rolls and ensure their accuracy.
- Mandates that states automatically register 16- and 17-year-olds to vote.
This bill was nothing more than an effort by D.C. politicians to meddle in our elections. Florida did an outstanding job in 2020 of efficiently and effectively counting ballots. The last thing we, or any other state needs, is Washington politicians sticking their noses in our elections.
I’m deeply disappointed in this bill. Congress should be working to restore confidence in the election process, not making elections more difficult – and certainly not finding new ways to use your money for their benefit. This is shameful. Americans deserve better.
Doctors Caucus: Get Our Kids Back to School
This past week, the GOP Doctors Caucus released the following statement in response to President Biden's assertion that Congress must pass the so-called "American Rescue Plan" to safely reopen schools –
“Guided by political pressure, not science, the Biden administration is yet again moving the goalposts on school reopening. We flatly reject the premise that Congress must pass the bloated $1.9 trillion COVID spending bill before schools can reopen safely. Congress has already provided billions in funding, much of which remains unspent. The truth of the matter is that the overwhelming majority of funding in the so-called “American Rescue Plan” wouldn’t even be spent until next year.
The data is clear that students can safely return to the classrooms now without widespread transmission of COVID. The President’s assertion otherwise is disingenuous and misleading. We urge the American people to avoid falling into the trap of believing that this bill is necessary for school reopening. The overall physical, emotional, and social health and well-being of our nation’s children should be our top priority – not passing unnecessary spending bills filled with non-COVID-related liberal wish list items.”
The latest COVID-19 package is not focused on reopening schools. The data shows that we can get our kids back in school safely now. Fortunately, schools in our area have already re-opened; however, many children throughout the nation are falling behind. It’s time to reopen schools nationwide. This Week in the District
COVID-19 Vaccines for Veterans  |
Effective immediately, North Florida/ South Georgia Veterans Health System (NF/SGVHS) is now offering COVID-19 vaccines to all eligible Veterans enrolled for VA (Veterans Affairs) health care at the NF/SGVHS, regardless of age (or extenuating circumstances as previously communicated - health issues, essential workers, etc.).
Eligible Veterans who are receiving health care at the NF/SGHVS can call 352-548-6000 ext. 103755, to schedule an appointment. If the vaccine is not available at their preferred site of care, Veterans are encouraged to schedule an appointment to receive the vaccine at another NF/SGVHS or attend one of the health system’s no appointment needed vaccination events.
The COVID-19 Vaccine website provides information on current vaccine locations via appointment only and no appointment-needed drive-thru and walk-up clinics. Visit the following site periodically, for up to date information: https://www.northflorida.va.gov/services/covid-19-vaccines.asp
The COVID-19 vaccine will help protect you, other Veterans, and our staff by lowering the risk of getting an infection. Vaccines will also slow the spread of the virus protecting our families, friends, and neighbors. Even after being vaccinated, it’s important to continue wearing a mask, washing your hands, and staying at least 6 feet from others who don’t live with you.
Additional Assistance for Small Businesses
The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced that it was opening the application process for the Emergency Capital Investment Program (ECIP), a new initiative designed to support access to capital in communities traditionally excluded from the financial system and that have struggled the most during the COVID-19 crisis. The program will ultimately invest $9 billion in Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and minority depository institutions (MDIs), supporting their efforts to provide financial products for small and minority-owned businesses and consumers in low-income and underserved communities.
ECIP will provide up to $9 billion in capital directly to depository CDFIs and MDIs to support the provision of loans, grants, and forbearance for small and minority businesses and consumers in low-income communities. The program sets aside $2 billion for participants with less than $500 million in assets and an additional $2 billion for participants with less than $2 billion in assets. Read more about this program here.
Disaster Loan Deadline Reminder
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) encourages businesses of all sizes, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners, and renters to apply for physical damage disaster loans before the March 29 deadline. Anyone in the declared counties in Florida with damages caused by Hurricane Sally on Sept. 13 - 18, 2020 should apply for the disaster loan program.
The declaration covers Washington County and the adjacent counties of Bay, Holmes, Jackson, and Walton in Florida.
Survivors may contact the SBA’s Disaster Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 for assistance in completing their loan applications. Requests for SBA disaster loan program information may be obtained by emailing DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov. Virtual customer support representatives are available to help applicants complete the online application during these hours:
Virtual Disaster Loan Outreach Centers (VDLOCs) Open: Monday – Sunday (7 days/week)
Hours: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. EST
Email: FOCE-Help@sba.gov
Phone: (800) 659-2955
Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information, and download applications at DisasterLoan.sba.gov. Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing may call (800) 877-8339. Loan applications can also be downloaded at sba.gov/disaster. Completed paper applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.
The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is March 29, 2021. The deadline to return economic injury applications is Oct. 28, 2021. Coronavirus Updates
Recent Updates - You can now pre-register 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. Pre-register here.
- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to Quidel for its QuickVue At-Home COVID-19 Test for at-home use with a prescription. The Quidel QuickVue At-Home COVID-19 Test is an antigen test that detects proteins from SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, from a nasal swab sample and gives a result in 10-15 minutes without needing to send a sample to a laboratory for analysis. The test is authorized for prescription at-home use with a self-collected nasal swab sample by people age 14 years and older or people age 8 years and older, when the nasal swab sample is collected by an adult, within the first six days of the onset of COVID-19 symptoms.
- 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. At this time, the vaccine is available for:
- Persons 65 years of age and older.
- Health care personnel with direct patient contact.
- Residents and staff of long-term care facilities.
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 Florida Delegation Splits on Party Lines Over House Democrats’ Election Reform Bill
Congressman Dunn and lawmakers weigh in on COVID-19 bill passage Constituent Casework Corner
A constituent contacted my office when their second Economic Impact Payment (EIP) was sent to a bank account that they had recently closed. We were able to work with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to have a paper check issued since the bank had already returned the EIP to the IRS.
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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