Dear Neighbor,
I pray that you and your loved ones are healthy and staying safe.
Over half a million Americans have now died from COVID-19. They were our grandparents, our mothers and fathers, children, brothers, sisters, friends. They mattered. I have been praying for all of the families of those who have lost loved ones during this horrible time.
Beyond this heartbreaking toll, 18 million Americans are on unemployment, 40 million fear eviction, schools have closed, inequities are worsening, 8 in 10 minority businesses are on brink of closure, and 24 million Americans are going hungry—including 12 million children.
We have a responsibility to keep our communities and our families whole during this crisis. We cannot leave anyone behind.
Vaccines are now available at local drug stores and community vaccination sites. Eligible Floridians include those over 60, as well as individuals in certain professions or with preexisting medical conditions.
As important information continues to come out, make sure you are subscribed to our e-newsletters here.
Last week, we passed the American Rescue Plan, urgent new COVID-19 relief which was signed by President Biden. As I told CNN last month, this is a time to "go big or go home."
This legislation, which passed with no Republican votes despite overwhelming bipartisan public support, will deliver vital resources for Florida families and communities to crush the virus, put vaccines in people’s arms, money in people’s pockets, children safely back in school and workers back in jobs.
Our legislation includes the following provisions:
- Immediate financial relief of $1,400 per eligible person
- Expansion of unemployment relief, food assistance, mortgage assistance, and rental assistance
- Expansion of the Child Tax Credit to $3,000 per child, and $3,600 for children under six
- Earned Income Tax Credits for fifteen million low-wage workers
- Puts us on the path to reopening schools safely by investing in safety renovations and vaccines, and provides resources to help children catch up for lost learning time.
- Puts people back to work with critical investments in small businesses and local services, including health care workers, transit, sanitation, food workers, police and fire, our first responders, teachers, and more.
- Billions for hospitals and vaccine distribution so that we can protect our families and get back to normal.
This legislation will lift 12 million Americans out of poverty, cut child poverty in HALF, and pay for itself by generating $1.25 for every dollar spent.
In addition to this relief, President Biden has ordered an unusual Special Enrollment Period, allowing you to sign up for health care if you currently lack it. Go to https://www.healthcare.gov/ to sign up.
This has been a challenging time for our country and our community. But we have hope, and due to the tireless work of scientists, researchers, doctors and nurses we are rapidly distributing three effective and safe vaccines. As we work to rebuild America, each of us must continue to lift each other up and continue the struggle for liberty, justice, and opportunity for all.
It is an honor and a privilege to serve and represent you. Please continue to care for one another and stay safe.
Sincerely,
U.S. Rep. Val Demings
| Vaccines in Our Community |
To end this pandemic, it is vital that all of us get vaccinated. Due to orders from President Biden, vaccines are available at local pharmacies as well as community vaccination sites.
Vaccines are free. These locations require an appointment. Vaccines are available based on state guidelines. Currently in Florida this means individuals 60 and older, teachers and first responders over 50, frontline health care workers, long-term care facility residents, and individuals with serious health conditions (with a note from their doctor).
For information about vaccination in Orange County, Florida,
Additionally, you can contact the following vaccination sites:
- East Orange – 12050 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL 32826 | 407-254-9610 (Spanish speaking representatives are available)
- Holden Heights – 1201 20th St. Orlando, FL 32805 | 407-836-6777
- Pine Hills – 6408 Jennings Road, Orlando, FL 32818 |407-254-9100
- Taft – 9450 S. Orange Ave., Orlando, FL 32824 | 407-254-1950
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You can schedule appointments at local pharmacies here: Walmart; Sam’s Club; Publix; Winn Dixie.
Following an additional order from President Biden, there is now a FEMA vaccination site open in the 10th District, at Valencia College West Campus in Orlando.
The new administration is making fast, fair, and efficient vaccine distribution a top priority. I strongly support the administration’s effort to directly coordinate vaccine distribution, a change of strategy from the last administration’s ‘hands-off’ approach. There is light at the end of the tunnel, but we all have a lot of work still to do.
We need to hear your vaccination stories. Every person getting vaccinated is critical to ending this pandemic and keeping each other safe. Whether positive or negative, we need to hear your experience.
Please share your stories here.
One constituent wrote, "the only adverse reaction was a mild pain at the injection site for 24 hours. I write this in hope to give less fear to hesitant citizens who are afraid of potential side effects."
Another wrote, "I went to the Orange County, Fl website. There was a link to make appointments. Followed the link, made an appointment for myself and my husband, followed by a second appointment. Our shots were provided at the convention center parking lot. We didn't even need to get out of the car either time. I had minor tenderness in the location of the shot both times and no other side effects. Thank you for providing a well organized event for those 65 and over."
| The Ex-President's Impeachment Trial |
Everyone counts, but everyone is accountable.
Last month, the ex-president faced his second impeachment trial in the Senate after he incited a violent mob to attack the U.S. Capitol on January 6th in an attempt to overturn the election which he lost.
Donald Trump took an oath to uphold the Constitution, and he violated that oath. He lied about the election, told his supporters to fight, and then sat back and watched as they brutalized police officers and hunted elected officials while shouting 'fight for Trump.' He refused to call them off or send support to law enforcement. Seven people have died, including three law enforcement officers. He has shown no remorse.
The Senate, failing to honor their oaths, chose to ignore these clear facts, even while personally admitting them. Republican Senate Leader Mitch McConnell said, "There’s no question, none, that President Trump is practically and morally responsible for provoking the events of the day."
In fact, some of the same Republicans were begging Trump on January 6th to “call them off" and saying "you're the only one who can." They knew he was responsible on January 6th.
All you have to do is trust your eyes and ears. Trump said "the election was stolen," "stop the steal," "You're allowed to go by very different rules," "go to the Capitol," "Fight like hell," "take our country back," and then after the attack, “we love you," "remember this day forever."
The Trump insurrectionists flew Trump’s flag, shouted his name, repeated his slogans, and said they were there to fight for him. They chanted "Fight for Trump." They told onlookers, "we were invited here by the President of the United States," and "I was following my president," and "we're fighting for Trump."
Last month's vote does not absolve the ex-president of his crimes, which were too public and too obvious to wave away. Rather, it implicates the Senate itself. Every Senator who voted against justice has dishonored themselves and their oaths. The U.S. Senate is an honorable place, but the political ambitions of selfish men are the greatest threat to our democracy. These self-centered men are mere shadows in a sacred place where great men once stood.
If future presidents know that they can violate their oaths and incite violence to stay in power, then they will. I pray that we will have the strength and the honor to safeguard our republic, and to rebuild an America where truth, justice, and the rule of law matter.
| Preparing for Emergencies |
I am proud to be taking on a new role in the 117th Congress as Chair of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery. This committee is extremely important as we work to keep Floridians and all Americans safe from natural disasters, COVID-19, and terrorism.
As a former 27-year law enforcement officer and Orlando’s Chief of Police, I know firsthand that adequate preparation, education, and resources are the key to effectively managing any crisis.
I am proud of the bipartisan work we have done over the past several years to bring additional counter-terrorism and FEMA support to Florida and communities across the country.
This committee is directly responsible for overseeing FEMA's natural disaster and COVID-19 response, as well as other areas.
Relatedly, I was pleased this month to announce that Orlando will once again receive the Urban Area Security Initiative grant, this time in the amount of $3.8 million to train first responders and help our community prevent, prepare and respond to crisis incidents.
This program has been one of my top priorities since arriving in Congress and joining the Homeland Security Committee. The best way to ensure success is to prepare, and as a former law enforcement officer I have seen firsthand how important these federal dollars are to keeping all of us safe. I am grateful to see Orlando’s continued inclusion in this important program and will continue to advocate for our inclusion in years to come.
| Combatting White Supremacy and Terrorism |
As a member of the Homeland Security and Judiciary Committees, I am working hard to ensure that domestic extremists cannot harm any more Americans. Our intelligence and law enforcement agencies have warned that far-right extremists, including white supremacists, are our greatest domestic threat. That was the focus of a recent hearing in the Judiciary Committee, where we heard from law enforcement and counter-terrorism experts.
I am deeply disturbed by growing right-wing movements in America that call for a violent overthrow of our democracy. The way to defeat these forces is with more democracy, not less: more voting rights, more support for working families, more liberty and justice for all.
As I said in my remarks, America has experienced white supremacy and right-wing extremism since its founding. Aren't we, as a nation, exhausted? Haven't we had enough?
| Additional Legislation to Ensure Liberty and Justice for All |
Last month I am proud to announce that we again passed the Equality Act, groundbreaking legislation which would, for the first time, ban discrimination against LGBTQ Americans in federal law. “Liberty and justice for all” must be our driving force in all things.
Additionally, I joined colleagues on new legislation to form the first U.S. Commission on Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation. Racism and inequality are America’s ghost in the room. To heal and move forward, we must boldly confront our history.
As a Vice Chair of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, I joined my colleagues to call on President Bien to take emergency action to crack down on “ghost guns”—untraceable weapons and components which have been used in numerous crimes.
I also believe that we must do far more to to protect mothers of color, who die at astounding rates during childbirth. I have cosponsored the "Momnibus" Act, a package of important legislation to save lives, end health care disparities, and ensure that all our families have a future.
The Trump Administration began the practice of expelling thousands of asylum seekers and unfortunately that practice has continued. One flight to Haiti last month sent 22 children back into a destabilized and dangerous situation. I joined colleagues last month to call for an immediate halt to these inhumane deportations.
I have also called for a Congressional hearing on the current situation in Haiti. It is vital that we protect the lives, freedom, and human rights of our neighbors in the Caribbean.
Additionally, last month I joined my colleagues to introduce the U.S. Citizenship Act, comprehensive reform legislation to heal the divides in our country, protect our DREAMer and TPS neighbors, bring people out of the shadows, make our immigration system fair and transparent, and secure our border while retaining our humanity.
| IRS Questions and Financial Relief |
Last month, we held a IRS telephone town hall with experts from the Internal Revenue Service, Taxpayer Advocate Service, and FAMU Law School. If you missed it, you can listen to it here.
To receive invitations for future events like this one, make sure you are subscribed to our e-newsletters here.
| Honoring Black History Month and a Local Hero |
During Black History Month, we honor the remarkable contributions, perseverance, spirit, and accomplishments of Black Americans throughout our history. Among the remarkable people I highlighted this month were a civil rights leader, the first Black woman to travel in space, the "Queen of Keys," a teacher and historian, Miami's first Black police officers, a poet and diplomat, and the enslaved man who brought disease inoculation to America.
Close to home, in Winter Park we laid to rest a true hero, Chief Master Sergeant Richard R. Hall Jr.
Chief Master Sergeant Hall was member of the Tuskegee Airmen. He served in World War II and the Korean War, and earned the Congressional Gold Medal.
The Tuskegee Airmen were America's first group of Black military airmen and support personnel.
They overcame fear, hardship and prejudice to defend freedom in our hour of need. #BlackHistoryMonth
Chief Master Sergeant Richard R. Hall Jr. was a mechanic for the Tuskegee Airmen, and when asked which planes were his favorite, he would joke "none of them," since every plane that came to him was in need of critical and stressful wartime repair.
I had the honor and pleasure of meeting Chief Master Sergeant Richard R. Hall Jr. on several occasions.
You can read more about Chief Master Sergeant Richard R. Hall Jr. in the Orlando Sentinel here.
He will be missed by his community, his family and all who loved him. We are grateful for a life well lived.
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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.
Sincerely,
U.S. Rep. Val Demings
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