NEWS FROM THE SECOND DISTRICTDear Friend, As we roll into August Recess, my Republican colleagues and I remain focused on helping Americans through the many crises our nation is currently facing thanks to President Biden’s failed leadership. Right now, America is facing a health crisis, a border crisis, an energy crisis, an inflation crisis, and a hiring crisis. And what are Democrats focused on? Mask mandates for people who have received the COVID-19 vaccination.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reversed their mask guideline for those who are vaccinated and are now recommending that we wear masks indoors. We have yet to see the data that drove this reversal, and quite frankly, I’m concerned. The government telling vaccinated people to mask up not only kills the credibility of the vaccine, but it confuses people. The more the government confuses the public, the less likely they are to trust public health officials.
I’m afraid this is turning into a giant mess less focused on keeping the public safe and more focused on giving the government control. Take our current situation in the House right now. Speaker Pelosi has directed Capitol Police to arrest those who do not comply with her mask mandate for vaccinated staffers and guests. Yet, on the Senate side, there is no such mandate to enforce. You can walk from the House Chamber, where you will be reprimanded for not wearing a mask, to the Senate Chamber, where you’re not required to wear a mask at all. It’s clear that none of this is about science – it’s about power.
Please read about my week below:
What’s Happening on Capitol Hill
This Week in the District
Coronavirus Updates
What’s Happening on Capitol Hill
Reigning in Big Tech
This past week, Energy & Commerce Republicans announced a comprehensive package to help hold Big Tech accountable by promoting competition, increasing transparency and content moderation accountability, and preventing illegal and harmful activity on their platforms.
With this package, we also plan to reform Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. Section 230 is no longer adequately keeping our children safe and addressing illegal content, and in many cases is being exploited to censor conservatives. It’s time to update the Communications Decency Act and hold Big Tech accountable. Read more here.
Letter Supporting Rural Veterans
I recently joined my colleagues in a letter to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Denis McDonough, encouraging the VA to prioritize the important population of rural veterans. While many veterans choose to retire and work in communities with close access to a VA facility, almost a quarter of all Veterans in the United States return from military careers to reside in rural communities.
My colleagues and I want to work with the VA to ensure that these veterans in our districts, and countless others, are not excluded because of where they choose to live. Our veterans have made many sacrifices to protect our country, and we must ensure that they have access to quality care.
Protecting Our Youth
On Thursday, I joined colleagues in sending a letter to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland calling for an investigation into child exploitation on the website OnlyFans.com. With the COVID-19 pandemic forcing our kids to spend more time isolated and online, it is our responsibility to ensure children are protected from bad actors operating via the internet. Of particular concern is the website OnlyFans.com, which has become a major marketplace for buying and selling Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) in the United States, as well as soliciting sexual activity with minors.
In the letter, we request that the Department of Justice utilize its authority and resources to conduct a robust investigation into OnlyFans focused on:
1. The prevalence of CSAM on OnlyFans, and what measures, or lack thereof, OnlyFans employs to prevent, reduce, and respond to CSAM on its platform.
2. The prevalence of missing or abducted children linked to content on OnlyFans, and the measures, or lack thereof, OnlyFans employs to report such instances to law enforcement.
3. The use of direct messaging on OnlyFans to solicit prostitution, and the extent to which minors are solicited for prostitution or other services related to sexual activity.
This Week in the District
Resources for Back to School
The Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday began on Saturday and will run until Monday, August 9th. This holiday allows people to avoid paying sales tax on clothes costing $60 or less, school supplies costing $15 or less, and the first $1,000 of the price of a personal computer. Read more about what’s included and what isn’t here.
Additionally, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has shared some important tax tips for teachers –
The educator expense deduction allows eligible teachers and administrators to deduct part of the cost of technology, supplies, and training from their taxes. They can only claim this deduction for expenses that were not reimbursed by their employer, a grant, or other source.
Who is an eligible educator:
The taxpayer must be a kindergarten through grade 12 teacher, instructor, counselor, principal, or aide. They must also work at least 900 hours a school year in a school that provides elementary or secondary education as determined under state law.
Things to know about this deduction:
Educators can deduct up to $250 of trade or business expenses that were not reimbursed. As teachers prepare for the school year, they should remember to keep receipts after making any purchase to support claiming this deduction.
The deduction is $500 if both taxpayers are eligible educators and file their return using the status married filing jointly. These taxpayers cannot deduct more than $250 each. Qualified expenses are amounts the taxpayer paid themselves during the tax year.
Here are some of the expenses an educator can deduct:
- Professional development course fees
- Books
- Supplies
- Computer equipment, including related software and services
- Other equipment and materials used in the classroom
More Information:
Topic Number 458, Educator Expense Deduction
Publication 5349, Tax Planning is for Everyone
Need To Renew Your Passport? READ THIS.
A lot of people have contacted my office about their pending passport applications. My team does everything we can to assist those who need their passports; however, you will likely face a delay in the upcoming months. Please review the information below from the Passport Agency about current processing times and tips to help you plan ahead.
What to Expect:
Mail delays are impacting when we receive passport applications for processing. Our processing times begin the day we receive your application, not the day you mail it.
Routine service can take up to 18 weeks from the day an application is submitted to the day a new passport is received. The 18-week timeframe includes up to 12 weeks for processing and up to 6 weeks for mailing times on the front and back end.
Expedite service (for an additional $60) can take up to 12 weeks from the day an application is submitted to the day a new passport is received. The 12-week timeframe includes up to 6 weeks for processing and up to 6 weeks for mailing times on the front and back end.
Our processing times (up to 12 weeks for routine; up to 6 weeks for expedite) do not include mailing times. Mail times vary and delays have been significant. PLAN AHEAD!
We suggest you:
Send your application to us via trackable mail, so you can track your application before it enters our system. This can be done whether applying at an acceptance facility or by mail.
Or
Pay an extra $17.56 for 1-2 day delivery for the return of your completed passport.
More about Status Updates: It may take up to 6 weeks from the day you submit your application until your status is “In Process.” During these 6 weeks, your application is delivered to a mail facility, your payment is processed, and your application is entered into our system. Even if your passport status update says, “Not Available,” your application and supporting documents are safely on their way to us. Check online for your passport status.
Use Self-Service Tools Online: Our call center is experiencing extremely high call volumes with longer-than-usual wait times. You can get your questions answered immediately by using one of the self-service tools available on our site 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. What you see online is the same information that call center representatives can share with you by phone.
Planning to Travel? Apply Early! Apply at least six months before planned travel. Due to limited availability for urgent travel appointments, we cannot guarantee you can receive in-person service at a passport agency or center. We are prioritizing customers with life-or-death emergencies. Visit our Passport Agency and Center page to learn more.
Renew By Mail: Adults with 10-year passports can renew them by mail instead of appearing in person.
Coronavirus Updates
Vaccination Clinic for Veterans in Quincy
The North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System is hosting a mobile vaccination clinic on August 4, 2021, from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. to provide the COVID-19 Vaccine to Veterans within Gadsden County and surrounding areas. The clinic will be held at St. Thomas Catholic Church (27 N Shadow St, Quincy, FL 32351) under the outdoor pavilion. All interested Veterans, spouses, and caregivers are encouraged to call to 352-548-6000 ext. 103755 to schedule an appointment.
Get Vaccinated
Floridians 12 and up are now eligible to receive any COVID-19 vaccine as prescribed by the Food and Drug Administration. The Pfizer vaccine is authorized for persons age 12 and up. The Moderna vaccine is authorized for persons age 18 and up.
I encourage you to schedule an appointment 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. Schedule your appointment here. 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.
Traveling This Summer?
With Summer approaching, many of you may be considering a vacation. For the updated guidelines for domestic travel, click here. For global travel, click 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
| IN THE NEWS Florida Congressman Neal Dunn introduces bill to award Bobby Bowden with Congressional Gold Medal
Allred, Burgess, Crow and Dunn Introduce Veteran Health Care Stamp Act to Support and Strengthen VA Health Care System Constituent Casework Corner
A wheelchaired-bound constituent tried many times to contact the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) because their mail stopped getting delivered. We were able to work with USPS to determine the substitute drivers on the route were not aware the disabled constituent had approval for their mailbox to be located at their front door and therefore didn’t know there was a place to deliver the mail. The substitute drivers were all made aware, and the constituent started receiving their mail again.
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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