We Need A Plan To Reopen Congress

This week, the Senate returned to D.C. for legislative session. Across the country, many Americans are starting to return to work. But Speaker Pelosi and Democrat leadership have not released any plan on when or how the House of Representatives will return. While we are continuing to face an extraordinary challenge to combat COVID-19 and keep Americans safe, we must have a clear and safe plan to reopen the People’s House.

That’s why Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy and Republican leaders on the House Rules and Administration Committees crafted a four strategy proposal to reopen Congress. You can read the plan here.

I, like many of my colleagues, have continued to serve constituents from home – whether that’s through telephone town halls, conference calls or virtual meetings. But you can’t legislate with members of Congress spread out across the country. Meanwhile, Speaker Pelosi is using this opportunity to draft partisan legislation behind closed doors. Our responsibility to serve the American people is more important than partisan politics.

>> Do you have a question about the coronavirus or the response by Congress? Email me!

America Leads in Testing

More than 8.1 million COVID-19 tests have been performed in the United States – more tests than any other country.

In the 12th District, there are several COVID-19 testing resources:
  • Augusta University Health is offering free initial telehealth exams via the AU ExpressCare app: augustahealth.org/expresscare/virtual-visit 
  • The Georgia Department of Health has a COVID-19 testing site locator, which you can find here.
  • Walmart, eTrueNorth and state and local officials, have partnered together to provide a mobile unit that will travel between the Augusta, Milledgeville and Tifton areas on a rotating basis to support access to COVID-19 testing. An appointment for testing can be made at www.DoINeedaCOVID19test.com, but on-site scheduling will also be available. Here’s the testing schedule:
    • Augusta area:
      • Monday and Tuesday; 10 AM – 3 PM, weather permitting
      • Diamond Lakes Regional Park, 4335 Windsor Spring Road, Hephzibah, GA 30815
    • Milledgeville:
      • Wednesday and Saturday; 10 AM – 3 PM, weather permitting
      • Located directly across Lawrence Road from 240 Lawrence Road, Milledgeville, Georgia 31062
    • Tifton:
      • Thursday and Friday; 10 AM – 3 PM weather permitting
      • Tift County National Guard Armory, 3111 U.S. 41 S, Tifton, GA 31794

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Update

More than 4 million small businesses have had loans processed for PPP funding. This successful program is continuing to help keep doors open and employees on payroll.


If you are a small business owner who would benefit from these funds, contact your lender to access these funds immediately. You can also visit sba.gov/paycheckprotection for more information.

The Small Business Administration also announced earlier this week that agricultural businesses are now eligible for the SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans as part of the Paycheck Protection Program and Healthcare Enhancement Act, which I supported in the House. The portal to apply is accessible here.

Supporting Plutonium Pit Production at the Savannah River Site

One third of the Savannah River Site workforce resides in the 12th District, and the future of the site and its missions are important to our community, which is why I recently participated in a virtual comment period in support of Plutonium Pit Production at SRS.

Per the 2018 Nuclear Posture Review, the United States must provide the ability to produce no fewer than 80 plutonium pits by 2030. A two-site approach ensures resiliency, with the Savannah River Site being a prime location to assist meeting the mission due to its long history of safe and successful nuclear waste management, as well as its work with plutonium and our nuclear weapons infrastructure. I believe we should continue quickly moving forward with the two-site solution for plutonium pit production, specifically at the Savannah River Site and Los Alamos National Laboratory.

2020 Art Competition

My office is currently accepting submissions for the 2020 Congressional Art Competition via email. The judges will view the art digitally and will name the top four submissions. There will also be a people’s choice award, and the public will be able to view all of this year’s submissions on my Facebook page. The 1st place winner’s artwork will be shipped to Washington, D.C., where it will remain on display in the U.S. Capitol for one year, alongside the 1st place artwork from every congressional district in the country.

Students who would like to participate in the competition should email their high resolution photos and necessary attachments to Christine.Rhodes@mail.house.gov no later than Friday, May 15th. For more information about the competition, visit my website.

As we learn more about the COVID-19 outbreak, the clearer it becomes that the Communist Party of China intentionally withheld information about the severity of the situation. That’s why I’m proud to cosponsor H.Con.Res. 97, Establishing the Joint Select Committee on the Events and Activities Surrounding China's Handling of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. By providing us with information early on, lives could have been saved -- and we must hold China accountable.

This pandemic has also highlighted the importance of the U.S. taking back control of our supply chain. We cannot rely on China for essentials like PPE and medicine.

As always, my office is here to help. You can email me ⇒ HERE, contact any of our offices or join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.


Sincerely,
 

Rick Allen
Member of Congress
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