| An Update From Your Congresswoman |
Dear Neighbor,
I hope that you had a safe Thanksgiving, even if this year's holiday didn't look like previous years. As we move through the holiday season, it has never been more important for all of us to continue protecting each other by wearing masks, physically distancing, and limiting our travel and exposure. It is my urgent wish that all of us, and our loved ones, will be able to remain healthy as we look forward to next year and a vaccine. I continue to urge you to follow the CDC guidelines, which can be found here.
If you or a loved one is struggling financially this holiday season due to the economic crisis caused by covid-19, please know that help is available. There is information later in this newsletter regarding resources that may be available to you. A full list of resources and frequently asked questions can be found here. If you need help, please call my office at 321-388-9808.
If you do not currently have health care, or want to make sure you have the most cost-effective plan, remember that we are currently in the signup period for coverage under the Affordable Care Act. You can sign up for health care until December 15th at www.healthcare.gov.
I am deeply honored that last month I was re-elected to serve as your congresswoman. I am eager to continue the work of fighting for you and our community. It is also my pleasure to congratulate President-Elect Biden and Vice President-Elect Harris. There is much important work to do.
I continue to believe that Congress' #1 priority must be to pass additional covid relief before the end of the year. We in the House have passed multiple pieces of legislation to provide financial assistance to American individuals and small businesses. It is outrageous that these bills have been held up in the Senate, but it is not too late for the Senate to pass real relief.
However, while we work towards this critical relief, I am also continuing to work on other important legislative priorities, as well as our work to keep families whole and in their homes here in the district.
My job is to serve you. If there is anything with which I or my staff can assist, please contact my office. Remember to see the bottom of this email for local resources if you are struggling financially.
Stay strong, stay safe, and be well.
Sincerely,
U.S. Rep. Val Demings
| Voting and the Ocoee Massacre |
As we went to the polls last month to exercise our sacred right to vote, we also remembered the 100th anniversary of the Ocoee Massacre, in which hundreds of Black people in Ocoee were killed or driven from their homes after a mob formed to stop these Americans from voting. One man, Julius "July" Perry, was known in the community for helping his neighbors register to vote. He was lynched. Local playwright Glenn Barbour researched July Perry's story, and you can hear it here.
It is important that we know and understand our history and I want to thank the Orlando Sentinel and Orange County Regional History Center for the countless hours of research and interviews on the Ocoee Massacre. The exhibit at the History Center was powerful and unforgettable.
As we look back on this tragic event, we must recognize that voter suppression is still ongoing today. In honor of those who have died, as well as those who put their lives on the line to expand these rights to all of us, I have cosponsored the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to protect these rights for every American, and I continue to call on the Senate to allow a vote on this critical legislation.
President John F. Kennedy said, "Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty."
We honor and thank our veterans for their service.
Thank you to all who have served.
While we continue to fight for meaningful COVID-19 relief for you and for our community, I have also worked on other initiatives, including legislation to:
- Fund programs to help Americans recover from opioid addiction
- Ensure excellent and equal care for Native veterans
- Enable the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to collect important data to protect from storms and other weather events
- Fund environmental science education programs on ocean and lake management
- Update and fix the Veterans Affairs websites and ensure that they are accessible to veterans with disabilities.
- Update labeling rules for generic medication
- Prevent drug companies from restricting the availability of medication for rare conditions
- Authorize funding for hospitals to help patients suffering from domestic violence
- Stop scammers from targeting older individuals
- Report on the impact of covid-19 on the tourism industry
- Expand access to housing disaster aid
- Expand childcare availability as part of economic development plans
- Create a National Children's Museum in Washington, D.C.
- Condemn acts by China to trample human rights and democracy in Hong Kong
- Partner with international bodies on vaccine development
- Expand democratic governance, free elections, and stability in Libya through non-military means
- Support efforts in Haiti to strengthen freedom of the press, anti-corruption, civil liberties, human rights, development, and disaster recovery
- Condemn Russia's poisoning of anticorruption activist and political opposition leader Alexei Navalny
- Reduce and prevent plastic waste in our oceans
This has been a difficult time for many in our community, especially as we struggle with a complicated network of federal benefits and a broken Florida unemployment system. My teams in Washington D.C. and Orlando are available to help you.
Resources for Floridians Facing Eviction
If you are a renter at risk of losing your home, your first step should be to check if you are covered by the recent CDC eviction moratorium. More information on whether you are eligible can be found here: https://nlihc.org/national-eviction-moratorium
If you are at risk of losing your home, I recommend that you contact the following services:
Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida: (800) 405-1417
Legal Aid Society of the Orange County (407) 841-8310 [email protected]
United Way of Central Florida dial 2-1-1
In addition, please reach out to my office at 321-388-9808 if you are struggling to access assistance. We will do everything in our power to keep you in your home.
Florida's Broken Unemployment System
Unfortunately, we have heard countless horror stories regarding the state's failure to provide timely payments and information for Floridians who should qualify for unemployment assistance, including the expanded assistance that Congress previously passed. We can help you find information and navigate this complicated and confusing situation. If you need help, please call us at 321-388-9808.
While the Florida unemployment system is under state control and I have no direct influence over it, my office can assist you with getting information and answers, and we will do everything in our power to help.
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During this tough time, I want to assure you that my staff and I are still working and ready to assist you. If you need help, please let us know. You can contact us here.
It is an honor and a privilege to serve and represent you. Please continue to care for one another and stay safe. I know that we can get through this together.
Stay safe,
U.S. Rep. Val Demings |
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WASHINGTON, DC OFFICE
217 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-2176
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ORLANDO OFFICE
2295 S Hiawassee Rd, Suite 301
Orlando, FL 32835
Phone: 321-388-9808
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