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Here is an update for July 28th. 

Thought of the day: “There may some setbacks, some delays, some disappointment, but you must never, ever give up or give in. You must keep the faith.” — John Lewis

A sad day yesterday, as John Lewis laid in the Capitol for his last visit. The family has invited me to Atlanta for the funeral and I will attend for his final journey. He tried to come to Michigan during an ice storm and prayed in the skies for John. I will travel in 100 degree heat to his church. These are just difficult days.
Michigan announced 488 new cases of COVID-19 yesterday and five additional deaths. This brings the state's totals to 78,507 cases and 6,154 deaths. Nationally, the numbers continue to grow, with 54,806 new cases being reported nationwide yesterday. Many states (not Michigan) find themselves being quarantined from other states.

COVID support and it is not nearly enough for those that need help. It does mean that real negotiations can begin. Sadly, Senator Mitch McConnell says it will still be mid-August and you wish he would talk to people directly and understand the fear, the need, the urgency. Here is the reality. There is an urgent need for the Heroes Act to protect the lives and livelihoods of hardworking men and women. For ten weeks, Republicans have blocked critical coronavirus relief in the Senate and told Americans who are losing lives and livelihoods to just ‘pause,’ as the health and economic crisis accelerates.

Last night, I organized a listening session with education officials and state legislators on what the school year in the Fall should look like. Many parents, teachers and students are worried about what the Fall will bring, going back into the classroom, how to teach our young people. All of us agreed that we must listen to public health experts and put people’s health first. But right now, our schools are struggling as a result of this pandemic, and it is our duty to ensure that they have the funding necessary to do their important work, and, first and foremost, remain safe in the context of COVID-19. The House passed Heroes Act supplies billions to the Michigan School System. 

Today at 11:00am, one of the subcommittee’s in the Energy and Commerce Committee will hold a hearing on safe drinking water standards across the country. This is an issue so important to our communities, as PFAS chemicals have contaminated many waterways in Michigan. Access to clean and safe drinking water is fundamental human right—this has become even clearer in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. One way to guarantee that human right to every person is to put in place strong federal leadership and the establishment of a national drinking water standard for PFAS. You can watch video of the hearing here. 

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.