| Let's Rebuild America |
Dear Neighbor,
Before I give you an update on the important work we are doing in Congress, we must take time to remember September 11th, 2001, and all those we lost on that morning twenty years ago. I marked this solemn moment with contemplation and prayer in remembrance of those who were killed, and in consideration of that difficult day and what it meant for each of us and our country.
On September 11th, 2001, I was at Orlando International Airport commanding the Orlando Police’s Airport Division. I will never forget the devastation and heartbreak of that day, and how it changed how we looked at the world. Twenty years later, the attacks remain seared in my memory as we work to keep America safe. I have often thought of those we lost — almost 3000 people — and the bravery and sacrifice of so many first responders — 344 firefighters and 71 police officers.
This year, in honor of our first responders, I attended the Patriot Day Remembrance Breakfast to show our support for our local law enforcement, fire rescue, emergency medical services, and hospitality security personnel.
As a member of the Homeland Security Committee, I also joined a delegation to New York City. While there, we visited the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, and held an on-site hearing with first responders and emergency management experts. It is our solemn duty to ensure that nothing like the September 11th attacks can ever happen again. You can see my questions here.
As we look back on this solemn day, I hope that every person will join me in saying a prayer for the families of the victims, for peace, and for the safety and security of all Americans.
Last month, the House convened a special session to pass landmark legislation for the American people. The first was the John Lewis Voting Rights Act. John Lewis was a legend from the Civil Rights Era, a man who put his life on the line in the struggle for voting rights. I will count myself forever honored to have had the opportunity to serve in Congress with this giant of a man. The John Lewis Voting Rights Act is a vital effort to protect every American's right to vote. No matter your ZIP Code, gender, race, background, or political party, I will never stop fighting for your right to vote. That's the heart of our democracy. It is crucial that the Senate moves to pass this legislation and protect our right to vote.
I spoke on the House Floor in support of this critical civil rights legislation. You can see that video here:
Our other two major votes were on a bipartisan infrastructure package and the "Build Back Better" budget. I voted yes to move forward on these important initiatives. Here's why.
First, they will create millions of new jobs by investing in our communities, rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure (including roads, bridges, water pipes, broadband internet, and more), and investing in American manufacturing, R&D, future technology, green energy, and affordable health care.
Second, these plans include the largest middle class tax cut in our history. This includes extending the largest tax cut for working Americans in history with the expanded Child Tax Credit. Parents know best how to support their families. We’re putting money in your pocket to manage your own household.
Third, these plans will bring down costs for American families on the critical services that we need for a good life: health care, child care, senior care, education, and more.
These investments are funded by making corporations and the richest Americans pay their fair share in taxes, with no tax increase for middle class families. As you probably know, many of these corporations and individuals currently pay zero taxes under our broken system. That's just not fair. We should all be on the same playing field, and by removing these loopholes, we have a chance to reinvest in America's middle class.
For too long, working and middle class families have been forgotten. This legislation creates jobs, cuts taxes for families, and builds 21st-century infrastructure we can be proud of.
As I took these three votes, I thought of my parents. My father was a janitor, and my mother was a maid. They worked hard every day and played by the rules because they trusted that hard work would allow them to give a better life to their children. They always voted, because they believed that their vote was their voice.
I voted yes on these initiatives because I believe that we have moved in a direction where hard workers like my parents are no longer being treated fairly in our economy. While more and more flows to the richest Americans, many families struggle to afford child care, care for an elderly relative, or pay for health care when something goes wrong. Our economy should reward work, not wealth, and our legislation will take us in the right direction.
While we work on this legislation, we must all continue to do our part and get vaccinated.
Florida has recently been experiencing yet another wave of the deadly COVID-19 virus. The best weapon we have against this virus is to get vaccinated. Each of us needs to do our part and help defeat this deadly virus.
Vaccines are now available at local drug stores. You can text your ZIP code to GETVAX (438829) to immediately get information on the more convenient vaccine locations near you.
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
Over 660,000 Americans have now died from COVID-19. One out of every eight Americans has been infected. With the deadly Delta variant now the dominant strain affecting our communities, it is critical that each of us gets vaccinated so we can keep our schools and economy safely open, save lives, and beat this pandemic.
I recently held a community vaccination event in Orange County. I was pleased to see so many members of our community make the choice to protect themselves from COVID-19 with the best weapon we have – scientifically-proven vaccines.
I also want to thank our dedicated healthcare workers. They are heroes. Their efforts during this pandemic—risking their own lives to care for others—have been extraordinary. I joined healthcare workers at True Health to thank them for their work. The best way to say “thank you” is to get vaccinated and end this pandemic.
This pandemic has affected every family and community across our country. Recently, several of our neighbors came by my office to share why they chose to get vaccinated. You can click on their photos to hear directly from them.
"For the safety of myself, my family, and my friends...I think it's important to take into consideration the people you have around you." - Marcus
"Once I got the vaccine, it took me out of bondage." "It means life. It means life." - Ola
"Why would you submit to information that will not save your children?" "The whole world needs to get on this vaccine - and the masks. To protect ourselves." - Macene
"You need to do it. To protect yourself, and protect your family, and your friends. And God as my witness, there's nothing to it. And I feel very safe." - Brenda
| Supporting Small Businesses |
One of my top priorities in Congress is to support Florida’s small businesses. I can’t imagine our region without the countless small businesses that bring life and community to all of us. This has been a tough pandemic, and I was proud to support the COVID-19 relief legislation that extended billions of dollars of support and other resources to local small businesses, put money in people’s pockets, and supported our vaccination effort.
Recently, I held community roundtables with business experts, representatives from the Small Business Association, and local business owners in our community. Our past two events focused on Black and Puerto Rican small business owners, who have been particularly hard-hit during this pandemic.
We will continue to hold these events, and I encourage any small business owners who are struggling to reach out to my office for assistance. As Small Business Administration Senior Advisor Veronica Pugin (pictured below) said during one of our events, "if this can benefit you today, apply today."
I am fighting in Congress to ensure greater resources for Florida’s community businesses, including the billions in COVID-19 relief that we passed to help businesses bridge the gap during this crisis.
We are also currently working to pass major legislation to invest in our communities, rebuild our infrastructure, create millions of new jobs, cut middle class taxes, and reduce the cost of crucial services like health care, education, child care, senior care, and more, which will put money into people’s pockets and help stimulate our economy.
| Lowering the Cost of Health Care |
Health care costs in our country are simply too high. That's why I am leading efforts in Congress and here in Florida to reduce the costs of coverage and prescription drugs.
We have people who are dying every day because of the lack of access to affordable health care. So I do not understand why anyone with the power to reduce those costs would not join us in this effort.
I joined a nationwide bus tour during their stop in Orlando to talk about how critical it is to bring down these costs.
The “Build Back Better” budget, which I support, includes multiple provisions to reduce the cost of health care for all Americans. Our plan would allow Medicare to negotiate the price of prescription drugs, which would bring down prescription costs across the board. Earlier this year I voted for the American Rescue Plan, which in addition to providing critical COVID-19 relief (including the individual checks), also included the expanded Child Tax Credit as well as provisions to reduce insurance premium costs for millions of Americans.
I also support expanding Medicare benefits to include hearing, dental, and vision coverage. Finally, I am leading efforts in Congress to expand Medicaid coverage to nearly a million Floridians, which would also bring down health care costs.
| Investing in Our Communities |
One initiative I am very excited about is our work to provide direct funding for important infrastructure projects here in Central Florida.
In addition for vital funding for our roads, bridges, broadband, drinking water, and more, I am proud to say that funding for ten specific projects that I requested for our district recently passed the House of Representatives, and will be included in the larger congressional packages that will be considered by the House and Senate this fall.
These are major investments to Central Florida’s public safety, education, job training, affordable housing, and infrastructure services.
As Orlando’s former Chief of Police, I saw that our community was safer and better when we stood for accountability and opportunity for all. I brought this same attitude to these community project designations, which will fund next-generation body cameras for the Orlando Police Department and help give youth in our region new educational and career opportunities. I also believe that safe housing, drinking water, and streets should be a right for all our communities. I selected the projects below with the goal of addressing these needs and creating safe, prosperous, livable neighborhoods here in Central Florida.
Here is more information about the projects that we are pursuing:
1: A new Water Storage Tank for Apopka to help with water needs and ensure that firefighters have what they need during emergencies. Apopka Mayor Bryan Nelson said, "thanks to Congresswoman Demings, we have $1.5M in the budget for a 1.5-million-gallon storage tank that will help serve our area for the next 20 years.”
2: Funding for the Orlando Police Department's Next Generation Enhanced Body Worn Cameras Project. Mayor Buddy Dyer told us that "this next generation of cameras will increase public transparency through improved technology and simplify use by our officers in critical situations." OPD’s camera program has been a major success to reduce complaints against officers and use of force events. This funding will support a new generation of cameras that include auto-activation technology and more.
3: Funding for the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida's Culinary Workforce Training Program, which transforms lives of at-risk and economically disadvantaged adults by teaching career and life skills. They told us, "This is a win for Central Florida’s hospitality industry, workers and their families."
One past graduate of the program shared her story: “I have experienced illness, homelessness, and unemployment...After graduating, I was able to secure full-time employment at a major restaurant chain. Now my life has done a 180. I now have...a new outlook on my future.”
4: Funding for the Town of Windermere's "Safe Route to School" Project. Said Mayor James O’Brien, this program "will ensure that our children have a safe and healthy route to school daily. Additionally, the project benefits the entire West Orange Community."
5: Funding for Eatonville’s sewer and wastewater project. Said Mayor Eddie Cole, "This infrastructure is necessary to...progress the Town and improve living standards. We are honored that Congresswoman Demings supports our vision [for]...the economic development of Eatonville."
6: Funding for the Wayne Densch Center Community Center in Orlando to help address Central Florida’s acute affordable housing crisis. Ability Housing, which runs the Center, told us "this Project is the culmination of a cross-sector partnership that has ended homelessness for hundreds of people."
7: Funding for the City of Ocoee's Lakefront Park Restroom/Concession Building. Ocoee’s Lakefront Park was a crucial step to revitalize the downtown, and Mayor Rusty Johnson says this funding "will allow the City to continue our efforts in implementing the Downtown Master Plan."
8: Funding for Orange County's Youth and Family Homeless Diversion. Youth in Orange County experience high rates of poverty and homelessness. This program's targeted support has been used successfully in other communities & can be critical to provide children with a bright future. Regarding this new funding, Mayor Demings said, "with over 6,000 homeless students in Orange County Public Schools, we need to look at new interventions to prevent homelessness experienced by children and families. I am grateful for Congresswoman Demings’ advocacy on this critical issue in our community."
9: Funding to allow the Dr. Phillips Center to fully operate their arts education programs without having to make budget cuts. Said the Center, "This federal appropriations funding will help more than 100,000 students enjoy incredible classes and programs." (Photo from Dr. Phillip's Center)
10: Funding for the Orlando Housing Authority to install emergency standby generators at two assisted housing sites that currently lack backup generators. Loss of power during disasters can be immediately life-threatening to seniors and persons with disabilities. Explained Orlando Housing Authority Board Chair Ed Carson, “These generators will allow elderly households to remain in their apartment complexes when there are power failures...Many residents need oxygen and/or portable air conditioners for medical reasons."
I am excited for this important victory on these projects, and I will continue to advocate for this crucial funding for our region until it has passed Congress and been signed by the President.
| The End of the War in Afghanistan |
Our service members have come home from Afghanistan. This has been a long war, with acts of bravery and sacrifice—known and unknown—by countless Americans.
| Army Maj. Gen. Chris Donahue, commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, was the last American soldier out of Afghanistan. |
No words can fully express how grateful we are for the unshakable commitment and dedication of our service members and all those who risked their lives in our nation's service.
We will remember those we lost, care for their families, and care for our veterans.
I will continue to work to keep all Americans safe. May God continue to bless America.
Disasters happen, but evictions during a disaster don’t need to. We should not allow Americans to go homeless due to emergencies outside of their control. We can and must ensure that a natural disaster does not mean needless eviction for American families.
I've introduced new legislation to apply an automatic eviction moratorium when there is a federal declaration of an emergency. This legislation would provide stability and certainty for millions of renters and homeowners during future federal emergencies. We know that Floridians will continue to experience future severe storms and other disasters, and we need to ensure that Floridian families are fully protected during these difficult times.
The National Housing Law Project said about our legislation, “this legislation provides a meaningful opportunity to protect renters from displacement at one of the most challenging times in their lives - in the aftermath of a natural disaster. We applaud Congresswoman Deming’s efforts to provide these protections.”
The National Low Income Housing Coalition added, “America’s disaster housing recovery system is fundamentally broken and in need of major reform...Congress should enact the Federal Disaster Housing Stability Act from Congresswoman Demings as part of a comprehensive overhaul of our nation’s disaster housing recovery framework to ensure a complete and equitable recovery for survivors.”
I have also cosponsored legislation to extend the federal eviction moratorium to the end of 2021. We previously passed $46.5 billion to support emergency rental assistance programs, supporting both residents and landlords during this tough time, but only $3 billion has been spent. We need to make sure that people can stay in their homes while this funding goes into effect.
As Floridians work hard to get back on their feet during this pandemic, we need to keep families in their homes and prevent homelessness, especially for children, seniors, and at-risk individuals. The eviction moratorium has saved countless Floridians from disruptions that can unravel the careful balance of their lives.
| Honoring Officer Robert German |
Windermere Police Officer Robert German graduated from Lake Mary High School in 2001 before attending South Georgia College. He was known for his service and commitment. He turned down other jobs to stay in the community he loved. Tragically, in 2014, he was shot and killed in the line of duty.
I am gratified to announce that we have successfully renamed the Windermere Post Office in honor of Officer German, a result of legislation that I introduced last year.
"Robbie" German worked in airport operations before pursuing his dream of serving the public through law enforcement. Upon his graduation in 2007 from the Seminole State College Law Enforcement Academy, he chose to serve Windermere, where he believed the small police force and tight-knit community would provide the opportunity to develop personal relationships with his colleagues and residents.
I believed that it was fitting for his sacrifice and his love for Windermere to be recognized, and I am honored that Congress agreed, and moved to make this a reality.
| Accountability for January 6 |
The attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6th was unacceptable. As a former 27-year law enforcement officer and Chief of Police, I will be forever grateful to the Capitol Police and D.C. Police Officers who put their lives and bodies on the line to resist that violent insurrection. For the first hearing of the Congressional Select Committee on January 6th, four of these police officers testified to their experiences.
I am so proud of these four officers. They represent the best of America. Here are their words:
"This country gave me the opportunity to become anything that I wanted."
"I raised my hand several times to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
"On January 6th, 2021, I fulfilled my oath once more."
"In Iraq we expected violence...but nothing in my experience in the Army prepared me for the experience of January 6th."
"The rioters shouted that I, an Army veteran and police officer, should be executed."
"All I was thinking was that I need to survive this, if possible. But I would sacrifice myself if necessary. I swore an oath to protect and defend the republic and the constitution."
"It was an attempted coup. If it had been another country, the U.S. would have sent help."
"We are not asking for medals or even recognition. We simply want accountability and justice."
- U.S. Capitol Police Officer Aquilino Gonell, Iraq War Veteran
"I also want to thank and acknowledge my brothers and sisters in blue who fought alongside me that day to protect our democracy. Each of you is a hero, and it is my honor to serve with you each and every day."
"I would like to take a moment of my time to ask for a moment of silence for my fallen colleague, officer Brian Sicknick, who died from injuries he sustained in the line of duty defending the Capitol of our beloved democracy."
"It hurt. It hurt just reading it now, and thinking about it, that people demonize you for the color of your skin when my blood is red, I'm an American citizen, I'm a police officer, a peace officer. I'm here to defend this country...defend everybody.
"How...can something like this happen? Is this America?”
"We can never again allow our democracy to be put in peril as it was on January 6."
- U.S. Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn
"We worry about each other more an ourselves. It's just in our nature. It's why you become a police officer."
“Eventually it was my turn in the meat grinder that was the frontline.”
"I was effectively defenseless."
"At best, I would be a liability to my colleagues, at worst I would be dragged into the crowd and lynched."
"I went back...every able-bodied officer would make a difference."
"It was for democracy, it was for the men and women of the House and Senate, it was for each other, and it was for the future of our country."
"There can be no moving on without accountability. There can be no healing without making sure this cannot happen again."
- Officer Daniel Hodges
"All I've ever cared about is protecting you and the public."
“I feel like I went to hell and back to protect them and people in this room, but too many people are now telling me that hell doesn’t exist or hell wasn’t that bad."
"The indifference shown to my colleagues is disgraceful."
"I am hopeful that we as a country will confront the truth of what happened on January 6th."
- Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Officer Michael Fanone
| Important Resources for 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.
For information about vaccination in Orange County, Florida,
You can schedule appointments at local pharmacies here: Walmart; Sam’s Club; Publix; Winn Dixie; Walgreens; CVS; Fresco y Más.
Get vaccinated!
Information on rental assistance can be found here.
If you lost a loved one to COVID, financial assistance of up to $9,000 for funerals is available.
You will need:
- A death certificate showing COVID-19
- Funeral expenses documents
- Documentation of other funds being used
More info can be found here.
As a reminder, my office is here to help you with any issue you may be having with a federal service. If you are working with a federal agency and are not receiving an answer in a timely fashion, or you feel you've been treated unfairly, our office may be able to assist you resolve the problem or get more information.
Please reach out if you need help.
For more information on Congressional nominations for a Service Academy, please visit my website.
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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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Phone: 202-225-2176
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