NEWS FROM THE SECOND DISTRICTDear Friend, Memorial Day is typically seen as the official start of summer. However, it’s also a day to honor the brave men and women who gave all to protect our country. As a veteran, I reflect on my time in the military often. I’ve had the privilege of working with some of our nation’s finest in the U.S. Armed Forces. There’s a strong bond amongst those who have served and losing one of our own is like losing a family member. But the sacrifice is worth it to us because we love this country.
Please take a moment to pause and remember those who gave everything for our great nation. They are the reason we enjoy the freedoms we have today. Let us also remember the families and friends who lost a loved one. Whether it happened a few weeks ago or decades ago, you will forever carry that grief and heartache with you. I want you to know that we see you, we support you, and we thank you for the sacrifice you’ve also made. 
Please read about my week below: Top Reads of the Week
What’s Happening on Capitol Hill
This Week in the District
Updates from Federal Agencies
Top Reads of the Week
OCALA STARBANNER: Tornado watch, tornado warning: What's the difference and what should you do?
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE: NOAA and USLA Rip Current Safety Toolkit
FOX BUSINESS: The Fed's preferred inflation gauge rose 4.9% in April, still near a 40-year high
What’s Happening on Capitol Hill
Fox & Friends – Baby Formula Crisis
On Thursday morning, I joined Fox & Friends to talk about the baby formula crisis and the House Energy and Commerce’s Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations’ recent hearing.
The Food and Drug Administration and Big Government failed us, plain and simple. They saw the signs that a baby formula shortage was approaching yet did nothing to address it until the eleventh hour. Parents should not have to worry about how they are going to feed their babies.
Watch my full interview here.
The Travel & Tourism Act Florida relies on tourism. In 2020, we saw tourism take a nosedive as COVID-19 spread nationwide. Now, skyrocketing gas prices and burdensome inflation threaten the industry. Our district and our state cannot afford this decline. I recently introduced a bill called the Travel and Tourism Act that would require the Secretary of Commerce to identify the resources, regulatory changes, and private sector engagement needed to achieve annual tourism goals. Click here to read the press release for more details.
You can watch me talk about my bill during a House Energy and Commerce hearing here.
Bills I’m Cosponsoring
Strengthening Our Health Security Act of 2022 (H.R.7760) – This bill would prohibit terminating Title 42, until at least 60 days after the COVID-19 public health emergency ends and Congress is notified. Title 42 is a crucial tool that allows immigration officials to quickly expel illegal immigrants to prevent the spread of communicable diseases. The bill also requires the Department of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security, to provide Congress with a public health plan for processing migrants at the border.
Letters I’ve Signed Onto
I recently joined the United States delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly on a letter to the U.S. Secretary of Defense conveying an urgent request on behalf of our colleagues from the Ukrainian Parliament. The Ukrainian delegation requested the following: - Clarity from the Department of Defense on what is needed to provide the Ukrainian military with Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS), as well as the training necessary to operate them effectively and in accordance with U.S. standards. (Top priority)
- Training for Ukrainian air force pilots.
- Land-based anti-ship missiles to help break a blockade of Ukrainian agricultural products, which are critical to the global food supply.
You can read a copy of the letter here.
This Week in the District
Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday
Florida’s Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday is this week! (May 28 - June 10) Now is the time to stock up on supplies for the upcoming Hurricane Season.
Here are some of the items to purchase without paying sales tax: - Reusable ice packs ($20 or less)
- Gas or diesel fuel containers ($50 or less)
- Batteries ($50 or less)
- Radios powered by battery or solar ($50 or less)
- Tarps ($100 or less)
- Portable generators ($1000 or less)
I urge you to take advantage of this opportunity to stock up on critical needs before a hurricane or a tropical storm approach. Click here for a disaster supply kit checklist.
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.
Disaster Assistance Deadline is Approaching
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding businesses in Florida to apply for working capital loans before the June 24 deadline. The disaster loan program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private nonprofit organizations affected by the severe storms and flooding on Aug 3-7, 2021. The disaster declaration covers Dixie, Jefferson, Lafayette, Madison, and Taylor counties in Florida. These federal Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) are for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business did not suffer any physical damage. Loan amounts can be up to $2 million with interest rates of 2.855 percent for small businesses and 2 percent for private nonprofit organizations, with terms up to 30 years. Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via the secure website DisasterLoanAssistance.sba.gov/ela/s/ under SBA declaration # 17195.
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