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Here is an update for May 15th. 
 
Thought of the day: We shouldn’t be afraid to be bold. Bold thinking is what has led to great change in this country. 

Yesterday, most of my day was spent at an Energy and Commerce hearing with Dr. Bright. He told us time is running out and the window is closing to address the pandemic because we still do not have a standard, centralized, coordinated plan to take our nation through this response. We all can see the realness, the impact and the deaths from it. We want to get back to normal which means we need planning, and medicine, therapies, a vaccine, equipment, supplies and his testimony raises serious issues about whether we are any better prepared for a second spike than we were for the first. Congress has to remain focused on this. You can see my questioning here. 

Today, I remain in Washington to vote on the Heroes Act. It’s the next bill we’re acting on to bring relief. It has many provisions and details can be found here. I don’t agree with everything in the bill but it has many important and critical provisions and I have never believed compromise is a dirty word. It has very significant help for State and Local governments where this battle is being fought. Many other things I have fought for are included, including water as a human right, utility relief, support for seniors, rent and mortgage relief, resources for domestic violence, OSHA standards for workers, cobra coverage for laid off workers among several others. Our communities need help and support. 

Michigan will receive $102,377,345 in election assistance grants. This money comes from the CARES Act passed by Congress in March. These funds are designed to help states implement provisions such as early voting, vote-by-mail, and pre-paid postage requirements. It will also provide PPE for poll workers and sanitization of polling places. Our elections this year will look much different than previous elections. Our country is changing and we must make sure we can still have elections in a safe way.

Governor Whitmer temporarily extended protections for tenants and mobile home owners from being evicted from their home during the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. This EO ensures tenants and mobile home owners can remain in their homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, even if they are unable to pay their rent. This will be effective through June 11th.

Governor Whitmer expanded telehealth options for Michiganders by authorizing and encouraging health care providers to use these services when appropriate and after getting consent from patients. With this EO, many health care services, such as mental health care, drug treatment, and home health services may be provided via telehealth. Additionally, insurance carriers must cover virtual check-ins and e-visits, to facilitate the affordability of telehealth services. This order is effective through June 10.

Team Dingell is here seven days a week and wants to listen and help. It isn’t as smooth as we want on some issues, but we will never stop fighting for you. Call our office at 313-278-2936 or contact us through Facebook or our webpage.
 
New information becomes available every day. Below is a list of resources and information that can be helpful during this time. Please share this information with your family, friends, and colleagues. Remember, stay home, stay safe, save lives.

Coronavirus information

File for unemployment

Small Businesses can apply for low-interest disaster loans

Navigating Social Security Benefits
 
School Based Food Service Interactive Map
 
Food Banks and Kitchens in Michigan's 12th Congressional District
 
Contact numbers for people looking for information are:
• Centers for Disease Control, cdc.gov/coronavirus, 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636).
• Michigan.gov/coronavirus, or 888-535-6136.