Hi Friends — I’m writing with a quick update on my latest work to help battle the coronavirus. As always, please don’t hesitate to drop me a note with any questions or feedback. I hope you and your family are safe and healthy. Thanks!
1. Supporting our Veterans and Long-Term Care Facilities. Nothing is more important than caring for our veterans, and what has happened at the state-run Paramus Veterans Home is heart-breaking. Seventy people have died and more than 90 percent of the residents either are or have been infected. Working with Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr., I helped coordinate a SWAT team of infectious disease doctors to consult with the facility's medical team to help protect the health and safety of the veterans and staff. We also helped bring VA and the National Guard medics to the facility. See more on CNN, Pix11, Bergen Record, Wall Street Journal, NJ.com, TapInto, North Jersey News, and Patch.
I have held regular calls with veterans’ groups around the district to keep them updated about resources and economic assistance available to help them. See more on WRNJ and NJ Globe.
Recently, I asked HHS to investigate disturbing reports about the Andover Senior Living Facility. Last week,they released their inspection report and I am absolutely disgusted and furious about the conditions the CMS inspection has uncovered at the facility. Nearly 90 residents have died there in recent weeks. I wrote to the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs urging him to fulfill NJ's request for additional assistance for long-term care facilities in dire need throughout NJ — in addition to helping our state-run veterans’ homes. See the New York Times, NBC News, CBS2, Associated Press, NJ Herald, NJTV, Sparta Independent, UPI, and North Jersey News and my appearance on Fox News for more.
Last week, I introduced a new bipartisan bill — the Nursing Home Pandemic Protection Act, to require all long-term care facilities to report communicable diseases, keep families informed, ensure crisis plans are in place, and maintain a stockpile of PPE. We cannot let the tragedies like Andover and Paramus happen again. See the Star Ledger, Bergen Record, NBC4, NJ Herald, WRNJ, NJ 101.5, and North Jersey News for more.
2. New COVID Relief Package Includes State and Local Funding — and a Full Reinstatement of the SALT Deduction for 2020 and 2021. I have fought to include a full reinstatement of the SALT deduction and for more investment for our state and municipalities. With both being included in the House relief bill, this means our communities will receive a long-needed tax cut and our firefighters, law enforcement, EMS, teachers, and others will receive immediate rescue and relief funds. NJ continues to be one of the hardest-hit areas in our entire country.
See my appearance on Fox Business and read more on NJ.com, the Washington Post, WCBS 880, WRNJ, NJ Globe, and North Jersey News.
I also signed a bipartisan letter urging Congress to support our frontline workers in the next relief package.
3. Getting Help from the VA. New Jersey has 3 times the number of COVID cases as Florida — yet Florida is getting multiple teams of VA medics to help their nursing homes, while New Jersey's request was flat-out denied for weeks. I led a bipartisan group urging the VA to change their mind. Good news: earlier this week, the VA approved staff support teams to be deployed to help New Jersey Long Term Care facilities. Read more on WRNJ and TapInto.
4. Paycheck Protection Program with More Flexibility. Congress must have a plan in place to fully fund the PPP, at an appropriate level, ensuring each and every entity eligible for the program receives the assistance they need and with flexibility in the formulas. Read more on WRNJ.
5. Keeping NJ-5 Informed. I’ve been hosting regular conference calls with mayors, fire departments, veterans groups, and small business owners to keep our community updated on the government’s response and resources available to them, and to get their feedback.
6. More Resources for Bergen County OEM. I helped secure $2.4 million from FEMA for the Bergen County Office of Emergency Management, which will help ensure that Bergen County has the resources it needs to continue fighting this outbreak and that our first responders and front-line healthcare workers have the support they need to do their jobs safely and effectively. See more on North Jersey News.
7. Many Thanks. So many in our community are coming together and stepping up to help frontline workers, first responders, and our neighbors in a need. A big shout out to:
Blue Moon Mexican Cafe in Englewood and Wyckoff for providing meals to help feed first responders around Bergen County.
New House of Pizza in Hackensack for matching every order they receive from hospitals to help feed our front-line health care workers.
Newton HS senior Isobel Costello who started the Weekend Bag Program to provide free meals to kids in need.
Ty Scherer and Lily Ryan from Glen Rock High School who have sold t-shirts to fund the purchase of local gift cards for teachers and hospital workers.
Finish Line Sports in Vernon for helping support local first responders through their "Vernon Strong" apparel.
Kelly Carroll at Hackensack High School and his wife Cori for coordinating getting more than $10,000 worth of groceries and fresh food to families in need.
Vernon Women's club members Barbara Fimia and Elaine Kuntz for making pillows for hospital patients!
Bergen County Sheriff's Office for cleaning and sanitizing the cars of 150+ front-line health care workers. I was proud to be able to help out!
Aileen, Fred, John, and the entire Wantage community for coming together to donate canned goods to food pantries across Sussex County.
United Methodist Church in Vernon for helping out those in need!
Walburger’s for donating and partnering with me to deliver meals to our frontline workers!
Please don’t forget to follow us on Twitter and on Facebook and to please reach out to me at
[email protected] if you need anything.
I’d also be grateful if you’d consider supporting me here to help fight my extremist opponents.
Stay safe!
Yours,
Josh
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| Paid for by Josh Gottheimer for Congress |
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Paid for by Josh Gottheimer for Congress
PO Box 584
Ridgewood NJ 07451 United States
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