March 26, 2020 Dear Friends, Late last night, the Senate passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Many of the health provisions laid out in CARES are provisions that I have championed. These important provisions will help American health care workers, patients, and our communities. While some of these provisions are new and specific to COVID-19, several of them are policies for which I have advocated for years. I am pleased that they are included because they will aid in the government's response to COVID-19 and future outbreaks. U.S. Public Health Service Modern... Read More »
March 25, 2020 Dear Friends, I am pleased to know that the Senate draws close to voting on the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. I appreciate the leadership of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to push forward and provide solutions for the crisis at hand. It is disappointing that some members decided this was the time to push their own partisan agendas and worked to implement policies that would do nothing to help Americans affected by this Coronavirus. As we move forward, I hope that we can reunify in defeating this common and invisible enemy. National Update: ... Read More »
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), member of the House Rules Committee and Republican Leader of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health put out the following statement after the Senate passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. “I am grateful for the leadership of Senator Mitch McConnell to push forward and provide solutions for the crisis at hand,” Burgess said. “I am disappointed that some members decided this was the time to push their own partisan agendas and worked to implement policies that would do nothing to help Ame... Read More »
March 24, 2020 Dear Friends, I am still scratching my head trying to figure out why bailing out the postal service, energy reform, and altering our voter registration is the proper response to this coronavirus pandemic. Once again, legislation to help the American people stalled as Senate Democrats along with Nancy Pelosi decided to play partisan politics instead of solving the crisis at hand. Retired VA medical professionals who are looking to help during this outbreak can reapply to work at the VA. The Department of Veterans Affairs plans to use waiver authority to rehire retired physicians... Read More »
March 23, 2020 Dear Friends, Today, Senate Democrats and Speaker Pelosi once again put partisan politics before American families and workers. Instead of focusing on the crisis at hand, they continue to bring forward other issues to put in a third emergency appropriations bill meant to combat COVID-19. This is not the time to push a wish list of ideological and controversial priorities. Here is a list of what Democrats are blocking for Americans: Direct payments to the American people $250B in unemployment insurance $100B for hospitals $4.5B for the CDC $11B for vaccines, therapeutics, diagno... Read More »
March 22, 2020 Dear Friends, I just got off a teletown hall with the Allied Pilots Association where discussion centered around the government's response to this coronavirus. Many of the association's members were concerned about what will be in the third emergency coronavirus appropriations bill. One of the key items, which I sent a letter to Secretary Mnuchin regarding last week, is the extension of the tax filing deadline. On Friday, the administration announced that the tax filing deadline for this year will be July 15, and payment deadline is October 15. Rapid point of care diagnostics w... Read More »
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), member of the House Rules Committee and Republican Leader of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health appeared on Fox News to assert that members of Congress, if healthy, should be ready to take action on combating this Coronavirus next week in Washington. Even though Congress is not exempt from the risk of this international pandemic, House leadership should prioritize finding a way for members to be present in order to deliberate on the third coronavirus economic relief package. Here are the highlights: Congress shou... Read More »
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), Republican Leader of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health led by example by donating blood yesterday evening at Carter Blood Care. “Our nation is facing a blood supply shortage,” Burgess said. “It is important that we step up and donate because there are many individuals in our communities who rely on lifesaving blood donations.” “The U.S. Surgeon General and the American Red Cross have made it clear that it is safe for individuals to donate. I decided to take action, and I encourage anyone who can to go donate.” T... Read More »
March 20, 2020 Dear Friends, Right now there is a lot of concern surrounding this coronavirus, and people want to know what they can do to help. One thing you can do is visit your local blood donation center. It's critical we all doour part. Our nation is facing a severe blood supply shortage. It is important that we step up and donate because there are many individuals in our communities who rely on lifesaving blood donations. The U.S. Surgeon General and the American Red Cross have made it clear that it is safe for individuals to donate. Yesterday,I decided to take action by visiting Carter... Read More »
by Rachel Frazin A group of 14 lawmakers is asking the Trump administration to help out the offshore energy industry amid a decline in oil prices linked to international disputes and the coronavirus pandemic. The 13 Republicans and one Democrat sent a letter on Friday to Interior Secretary David Bernhardt asking him to reduce or waive royalties for oil and gas leases in the Gulf of Mexico. “The Department of the Interior has existing authority to temporarily reduce or eliminate royalties set forth in the leases in the Western and Central Planning Areas of the Gulf of Mexico and other lease are... Read More »
