news

Here is an update for July 15th.
 
Thought of the day: “In order to carry a positive action we must develop here a positive vision.” — Dalai Lama
 
Last night, we received positive news on a potential COVID-19 vaccine. The potential vaccine which is being developed by Moderna Therapeutics and supported by the National Institutes of Health, triggered an immune response in all 45 people tested. Scientist say triggering an immune response is what they were looking for in the potential vaccines because it can help prevent future infections of COVID-19. There’s still a lot we need to learn about the potential vaccine, but the news is promising. 
 
Michigan’s COVID numbers yesterday continued in the wrong direction. Yesterday, Michigan had 584 new cases of the coronavirus and 6 deaths. This means we are now at 70,306 total confirmed coronavirus cases and 6,081 COVID-19 deaths. The nationwide number yesterday for new cases was more than 65,500, the second-highest daily total of the pandemic since we begin this counting in March. California, Texas, Missouri, Nevada, Florida and Oklahoma all set single-day case records. Please wear your mask when out, and if you have any questions on the effectiveness of a mask you can watch this video from Bill Nyeexplaining they’re so helpful.
 
Tonight from 6-7pm, we hope you can join me, Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist and State Representative Donna Lasinski for a Facebook live event on ways we can make broadband internet access available to all communities and ensure our children are able to access their school plans online. We hope you can join us for this important discussion. You can tune in here or dial 312-626-6799 and then enter 924-0685-4997# to join. You can also RSVP by clicking on the image below.
Yesterday witnessed a win for the education community. The Administration reversed its decision that would require foreign students studying at U.S. universities to leave the country if their fall courses are online due to the coronavirus. The news was announced during a hearing in federal court in Massachusetts on Tuesday. The reverse in policy comes after multiple Universities were in the courts trying to stop this decision — including the University of Michigan, multiple Attorney Generals across the country. Congress was also involved in stopping the policy from being put in place. I led more than a 100 Members of Congress in the effort. This was a win for America.
 
But as we all celebrate the reversal of one terrible policy from the Trump Administration, they go ahead and put in place a new one. Today, the White House is expected to weaken one of the nation’s bedrock conservation laws — the National Environmental Protection Act. This would limit public review of federal infrastructure projects to speed up the permitting of freeways, power plants and pipelines and so much more. This Administration’s assault on environmental laws doesn’t stop. This was one of the first pieces of major legislation passed by the Congress to start to address pollution in this country. To date, we have witnessed the rollback of 100 environmental regulations by this Administration that protect clean air and water, and others that aim to reduce the threat of human-caused climate change. This is just one more unacceptable action that we must push and fight back against.
 
Today is Tax Day. You have until midnight on tonight (July 15th) to file your Federal taxes online or have your return postmarked. You can visit the IRS website here to learn more on filing your taxes.

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.