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Here is an update for June 29th. 

Thought of the day: “A powerful attitude awakens inner strength, energy, motivation, and initiative.” – Remez Sasson

Yesterday, Johns Hopkins informed the public that more than half a million people worldwide have died from COVID-19. The U.S. has more than 125,000 of those deaths. This virus is still out there with the number of cases continuing to spike across the United States. Tom Frieden, former director of the Centers for Disease Control from 2009 to 2017, and Scott Gottlieb, the former head of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said our country has been hit so hard by COVID-19 because we opened too fast. 

Nursing homes continue to be hit hard by COVID-19. Nursing homes in Michigan account for 1 in 4 COVID-19 related deaths. Seniors in settings like nursing homes are at increased risk of COVID-19. This is a serious problem that must be addressed and requires urgent action. This is why I introduced legislation to provide more funding for individuals to receive home and community-based services. Every American deserves the right to live with dignity in old age.

Today, the House will vote on legislation that will strengthen the Affordable Care Act. The ACA has offered protections for people with pre-existing conditions, expanded Medicaid, and offered hardworking men and women quality affordable health insurance. The legislative package the House will consider this week will expand upon that, and make healthcare and prescription drugs more affordable. This is all going on while The Trump Administration is fighting in courts to take away healthcare for Americans living with pre-existing conditions and kick millions of hardworking men and women off their health insurance.

Today, the Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing on the U.S. Park Police attack with tear gas on peaceful protesters at Lafayette Square in Washington, D.C. earlier this month. Americans have the right to peacefully assemble and protest – this is a fundamental right to our democracy. The American people deserve answers from the Administration, but sadly the Administration has declined to send a witness. 

Five Washtenaw County High School students have been named Young Citizens of the Year for 2020. Each day this week, I will highlight one of those students, their accomplishments, and their passions. Today, we begin with Laila Pasha. Laila is a passionate advocate for many issues that I too have worked on — raising awareness about the problem of dating violence and rape culture and best ways to help educate others about this widespread issue. She has had various leadership positions at The Neutral Zone, including the founder of Safe sex And Rape culture Education, or the SARE program, an educational program teaching teens about consent.

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.

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