news

Here is an update for August 24th. 

Thought of the day: “The ideals which have always shone before me and filled me with joy are goodness, beauty, and truth.” – Albert Einstein

On Sunday, Michigan reported 768 new cases of COVID-19. This brings the total case count for the state to 96,792 cases. Cases in the state have leveled out with each daily case count ranging from 500 to 1,000 over the past month. Nationally, total cases reported yesterday dropped to a little over 36,000. If you remember back to July, we had a daily case count that averaged between 50,000 and 75,000. With many states having put back in place strong physical distancing orders, it looks as if we are beginning to get a stronger grip on this virus — but that does not mean it is gone by any means. 

I was back in Washington on Saturday to vote on legislation that’d protect the USPS from deliberate mismanagement. Just this summer, USPS leadership ordered the removal of at least 10 automated mail-sorting machines in Michigan. The removal of these machines will no doubt slow down mail processing and make it harder for people to receive their medications, Social Security checks, and goods they need. The legislation we passed would prohibit USPS from implementing any further operational changes, provide up to $25 billion in emergency funds to USPS, and treat all election mail as first-class mail. The House sent a strong message: do not mess with the people’s mail. 

Yesterday marked 100 days since the House passed the Heroes Act which would provide much needed relief to the hardworking people of Michigan, our communities, our economy, and our schools. This relief package is about our values, it’s about how we help our loved ones during a global pandemic. The country needs the Senate and the White House to return to the negotiating table immediately. We all know someone who is struggling to get by. We all know someone who needs enhanced unemployment benefits. This can’t go on. We need a deal. 

On Friday, Congresswoman Tlaib and I sent a letter to Beaumont Health expressing our concerns over their potential merger with Advocate Aurora Hospital Systems, a healthcare system based in Illinois. There’s been a significant number of Beaumont Health physicians who have expressed concerns about the proposed merger. There are also unanswered questions about the larger impact of what the consolidation would mean to Beaumont’s autonomy and the hospital system’s focus on serving the Southeast Michigan community. We will provide an update when our questions are answered.

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.