Dear Friends,

Today, Washington, D.C. lifted all capacity restrictions except for bars and nightclubs which can operate at 50% occupancy until June 11th. In case you missed it, Speaker Nancy Pelosi extended proxy voting, and the House Democratic Leadership is still mandating masks, regardless of vaccination status, on the House Floor and in committee rooms. 

A good majority of Members are fully vaccinated. Continuing this policy, not only creates further public distrust of the COVID-19 vaccines, but it prevents Members from building and strengthening relationships. I join the GOP Doctors Caucus in issuing a statement condemning these guidelines. The Caucus with Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy put forward a privileged House Resolution calling for the House of Representatives to return to normal. 

Wednesday morning I reminded Maria Bartiromo on Mornings with Maria about an April 21st letter the Caucus sent asking Speaker Pelosi to trust the science and return the House of Representatives to regular order. Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its mask guidance to state that those who are fully vaccinated can resume normal activities without wearing a mask and social distancing. 

 Washington Recap:  

Last Friday, the BIG Act passed the House. The BIG Act is critical legislation that will equip schools and communities with the tools they need to ensure the safety and health of each student. By providing schools with best practices for behavioral health intervention training and services, we can work to prevent further tragedy from happening. 

I teamed up with Representative Lou Correa (D-CA) to introduce H.R. 3021 - the Coronavirus Provider Protection Act. If passed, this bipartisan legislation ensures that doctors and nurses are protected while they continue to protect us from COVID-19. 

After the news broke about the Colonial Pipeline Company ransomware hack, I wrote a letter to President Joe Biden and to Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone. In both letters to President Biden and Chairman Pallone, I sought answers on the Administration’s response, how this can be prevented in the future, and requested a classified briefing for Energy and Commerce Committee Members from the Department of Energy. 

I introduced the Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Act with Representatives Jason Crown (D-CO), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), and Brett Guthrie (R-KY). Funding the Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program provides vital resources to grow and strengthen our public health workforce at the local, state, and tribal levels. This bill will enable these public health departments to enhance their workforce, thereby improving our nation’s overall preparedness and response capabilities to current and future public health emergencies. 

Finally, I introduced the Contact Lens Prescription Verification Modernization Act (H.R. 3353) alongside Representatives Bobby L. Rush (D-Ill.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), and David B. McKinley (R-W.Va.). If passed, H.R. 3353 would provide new protections to consumers by banning the use of robocalls, requiring online retailers to provide an online portal for consumers to upload their prescriptions, and requiring that all medical information sent in emails is encrypted. 

Coming Up:  

Next week is a Committee Work Week.

Until next time, this is your doctor's note.

Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D.