Dear John,

Another $2.1 million is on its way back to our area's Community Health Centers, which not only continue to fight on the frontlines of COVID-19 and help get Northeastern Pennsylvanians vaccinated -- they also are critical to addressing our communities’ many other health care needs.

If there's been one thing that has been a constant in the United States -- and something that we have been really proud of in our nation for generation after generation -- is that if there is one rock solid, dependable promise in the world, it is that the United States of America will pay its bills.

Twice in the past two weeks, we in the U.S. House have attempted to honor that promise by passing legislation to ensure our nation does not default. And twice, Mitch McConnell has blocked efforts to pass these bills in the Senate.

This is something we need to work together on, but it seems that Leader McConnell would rather let the nation default than work across the aisle. If he doesn't come to the table, the stock market will crash. Millions will lose their retirement savings. Social Security payments will be interrupted. The economies of America and the world will be decimated.

Democrats and Republicans have always worked together on this issue. It’s foolish and dangerous not to do it now.

Since the early months of 2020, nearly 700,000 Americans have lost their lives to COVID-19. Behind this staggering number are loved ones, friends and neighbors whose lives were tragically cut short.

It is difficult to grasp what 700,000 looks like, but the COVID-19 memorial on the National Mall in Washington attempts to put it in perspective: hundreds of thousands of flags have been placed, each one a tribute to someone who fell victim to this devastating virus. I stopped by this morning to take a look, and I read some of the heartfelt farewell notes that friends and loved ones of the deceased have left on them.

The safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines that are widely available remain our most effective tool against this pandemic. In Northeastern Pennsylvania, our community continues to make progress in this fight: nearly 70 percent of those eligible for the vaccine have received at least one dose. But, truly putting this pandemic requires as many of us as possible to get vaccinated.

If you have questions or concerns about getting the vaccine, I encourage you to talk to your doctor, or someone else you know and trust who has gotten vaccinated, and ask them about their decision to do it.

For certain groups who were vaccinated more than six months ago with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, booster shots are now available. Those eligible are Americans:

• 65 years and older
• Age 18+ who live in long-term care settings
• Age 18+ who have underlying medical conditions
• Age 18+ who work in high-risk settings
• Age 18+ who live in high-risk settings

Be safe and well,