Weekly Recap: What You Might Have Missed
Another week filled with communications from the families, medical providers, workers, and small businesses of our district. I know this pandemic has hit all of us — our neighbors, economy and community institutions — hard. I will keep fighting at the local, state, and federal level to get you the resources you need.
My time now is filled with daily meetings with state and local officials, medical providers and emergency management personnel, as we share the latest information and respond to the evolving challenges of the coronavirus pandemic. Our congressional caucuses and committees also meet virtually, as we draft and negotiate upcoming rounds of pandemic relief, and the work that we had in process before our daily lives were upended. House rules do not yet permit remote voting or hearings, but I am hopeful that we will be able to move in that direction soon in order to accommodate both a more regular legislative schedule and the medical need for social distancing.
Here’s some of what I was up to this week:
Hosted a roundtable discussion on keeping our air clean and protecting communities from environmental deregulation during COVID-19.
We discussed the administration’s recent actions to roll back environmental and health protections, and its announcement that it is suspending enforcement of EPA regulations, during the coronavirus pandemic while public attention is focused on more immediate threats to public health and the economy. We discussed pending legislation to protect the environment and the critical need for oversight of the administration’s efforts to gut existing environmental protections.
We also discussed environmental justice, and the connection between the environment and public health. Our region has some of the highest childhood asthma rates in the country, and low-income, economically-distressed areas are at greater risk for respiratory diseases from pollution — and COVID-19.
That’s why I joined representatives from Moms Clean Air Force, Citizens Climate Lobby, Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania, Penn Environment, Clean Air Council, and The Public Interest Law Center for a conversation about how we can protect our community.
Listen to our conversation here: https://www.facebook.com/RepMGS/videos/753383475203407/
Hosted another COVID-19 tele-town hall
My team and I are working around the clock to stay in touch with you about the tools you need you to take care of your families and businesses during coronavirus, and what more the government can do. I’m grateful to everyone for calling in with questions, and to share your stories — Hearing your experience helps me to advocate for federal legislation and resources.
I know you have more questions, and I look forward to hearing from you during our next tele-town hall. In the eat time, you can always reach my office by calling 610–626–2020 or by sending a message on our website, www.scanlon.house.gov.
Check out the town hall here: https://www.facebook.com/RepMGS/videos/976710909412070/
Helped secure priority COVID-19 testing for first responders
Every day in every community across our country, emergency personnel are sacrificing their own health and safety to protect our communities.
I was proud to join Rep. Joe Neguse in contacting Vice President Mike Pence and CDC Director Robert Redfield to request testing priority for first responders. Until there are enough tests for everyone, we must make sure that those responsible for protecting all of us can do their jobs safely — by protecting them, we protect all of us. Following our request, the CDC has added the nation’s first responders to the list of those eligible for high priority COVID-19 testing.
Read more here: https://medium.com/@repmgs/scanlon-helps-secure-priority-covid-19-testing-for-first-responders-534100ca2e9b
Joined Pennsylvania State Rep. Joanna McClinton for coffee and conversation live on Facebook
I was grateful to Pennsylvania State Rep. Joanna McClinton for taking the time this week to join me for Coffee with your Congresswoman. We discussed what our offices are doing to work together on behalf of our constituents during this challenging time.
Listen to our conversation here: https://www.facebook.com/2317303261926393/posts/2780525138937534/
I also had the opportunity to participate in a US Government class at a local high school, and meet with local agencies and advocates on issues ranging from measures to address the continuing threat of gun violence in Southwest Philadelphia and the impact of the pandemic on the operations and future of our poorest school districts.
Thank you for everything you are doing to keep our community safe and healthy! As always, our office is here to help and answer any questions you might have. Give us a call at 610 — 626 — 2020 or visit us online at scanlon.house.gov to connect with a constituent service provider.
