{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://woodall.house.gov/media-center/e-newsletter-archive/district-connection-11220", "District Connection - 11/2/20", "2020-11-02", "2020", "2020-11", "Republican", "Senate", "GA", "Rob Woodall", "W000810", "woodall.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "ELECTION DAY 2020  TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3RD\nSince 1845, the first Tuesday following the first Monday of November has historically marked Election Day in the United States, and tomorrow officially marks that time for the 2020 elections. Statewide, roughly 3.9 million Georgians have already cast their ballots, up from 2.3 million compared to this point in 2016 a truly historic turnout.\nI know many folks have a close eye on the presidential race, but the upcoming elections are also critical to deciding our leaders at not only the federal level, but at the state and local level as well. This year is especially unique for those of us in the Seventh Congressional District, as we choose to elect not only both of our Georgia senators, but also a new U.S. House Representative. As I said before, voting is essential to participating in our democracy and making your voice heard. No matter how you choose to cast your ballot, I hope you will choose to exercise this right and encourage your friends and family to do the same.\nEarly voting in Georgia ended last Friday, and for more information about voting in-person on Election Day tomorrow, visit Georgia's My Voter Page to verify your registration status, find your polling location, and preview what's on the ballot. Remember to bring a valid state or federal government issued photo ID, and get in line before 7:00 PM when the polls close. Additionally, for those who have not yet returned your absentee ballots, please know that they must be postmarked and returned to your elections office by mail or delivered in person  or at avalid drop box location by no later than 7:00 PM on November 3rd. I encourage you to ensure its delivery as soon as possible. For additional questions, please contact theGwinnett CountyorForsyth CountyElections office.\n\nRECORD GDP GROWTH SHOWS STRENGTH OF U.S. ECONOMY\nLast week, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis released its latest data on the U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the third quarter, showing a record 7.4 percent increase from the previous quarter and a historic 33.1 percent annualized pace. These figures show a recovery of two-thirds of our economic output since shutdown began. While this still puts the economy 3.5 percent smaller than at the end of last year, what it does demonstrate is that even with limited businesses reopening throughout the country, there is still enormous potential for us to rebound once restrictions are lifted.\nThis fact was further demonstrated by the U.S. Department of Labor report showing jobless claims are down by 40,000 from the previous week, bringing the total number to 751,000  a total we haven't seen since mid-March when the shutdownbegan. This too is good news, even with the understanding that the hardest hit industries are not yet operating at full capacity.\nThese latest reports show that our economy is ready to spring back into action, but with COVID-19 infection rates increasing throughout the country, it is likely that further economic growth will be stymied. That is why it is important for Congress to do its work and support our nation's industries as we enter the winter months where many economists expect a contraction in the economy. Our country has waited too long for Speaker Pelosi to reach a compromise with the White House to provide relief to businesses and the American people. I remain hopeful that before the end of this Congress, I will be able to cast my vote in favor of a solution to help our nation weather the pandemic as we work to defeat the virus.\n\nSUPPORTING HOME AND COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES PROVIDERS\nAs we have all seen, the COVID-19 public health emergency has not impacted businesses and services in the same way. While some have been able to resume operations relatively quickly and adapt their business models to align with public health protocols, it remains a challenge for many others.\nThis includes Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) providers, whose programming offers opportunities for qualified Medicaid beneficiaries to receive services in their own home or community rather than in institutional or other isolated settings. HCBS providers deliver a wide range of services ranging from personal care, educational, and support services to those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, physical disabilities, mental illness, and older adults. However, these providers' community-based approach to care often means that these services must be provided in person. And while HCBS providers have continued to look for creative ways to continue to provide services, many are still unable to provide routine services because they lack the infrastructure to operate virtually or remotely.\nWithout continued support, HCBS provider networks across the country remain at risk of collapse, and permanent closure could greatly impede individuals from receiving services in the future. That is why I led a letter, joined by Representatives Kathleen Rice (D-NY), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Debbie Dingell (D-MI), asking that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) continue to allow state agencies administering certain HCBS programming, who have received approval and elect to do so, to issue retainer payments to providers when routine services cannot be delivered. These payments cannot exceed payments for similar services, and funding from any additional sources cannot be used for the same purpose.\nThis action is centered on the need to give states the flexibility to assess the continued public health threat in their area and determine what is best for them, removing federal time constraints that limit how long these payments can be utilized. Of course, we all want providers to be furnishing these services when possible. But if states make the determination that this relief option is necessary to keep their provider networks intact, federal rules should not stand in the way. If these providers close for good or more folks that normally receive HCBS services as a result of these closures are diverted to institutional care, this could increase costs in the long run. I hope CMS will act swiftly on our call-to-action to enact this flexibility.\n\nCONSTITUENT SPOTLIGHT: MUST-ADDRESS PRIORITIES IN THE 116th CONGRESS\nWhile on the eve of the 2020 elections that will determine representation across all levels of government, it's also true that the work of the 116th Congress is far from over. Apart from a final deal that remains to be reached on the next COVID-19 relief package, there are several must-pass items on the agenda for the remainder of this legislative session. Here are a few of the messages I have received about what lies ahead.\nDonald from Duluth:\nDear Rob, please approve additional PUA. Hopefully the job market will improve, but that is not the current reality. Additional assistance is badly needed and critical right now. Georgians face dire consequences without additional support right now. Please vote to approve additional assistance during this crisis. Thank you in advance for your understanding!\nGary from Buford:\nWhen Congress returns after the election and begins to craft omnibus spending bills that fund the federal government, it is essential that you begin to cut wasteful spending to prevent a major economic disaster.\n\n\t_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________\n\nWhile I have continued to join my colleagues in urging Speaker Pelosi to move forward standalone relief bills in the absence of a wider relief bill, it's not the only priority that demands our immediate attention. As you may know, there are several significant funding authorizations that have expired or will expire soon that Congress must address before the end of the year.\nOf most pressing concern is the need to pass appropriations bills to fund the government for Fiscal Year 2021. While in September Congress passed a Continuing Resolution (CR) extending current funding levels, that CR only runs through December 11th. Among those programs that need to be reauthorized by December 11th include the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and the Child Care Entitlement to States, as well as a series of health care provisions, including authorizations for the mandatory Community Health Center Fund, the National Health Services Corps, and the Special Diabetes Program.\nAdditionally, there are several programs and tax provisions that will expire if not reauthorized by the end of the year. As Donald mentioned, this includes the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program which provides up to 13 weeks of additional unemployment benefits and expanded UI benefits for individuals (self-employed, independent contractors, gig economy workers) not traditionally eligible. In addition, roughly 33 energy, business, and individual tax provisions and many COVID-19 tax relief provisions will expire after December 31st. Further, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)  which provides authorization of and establishes priorities for defense-related activities at the Department of Defense and the Department of Energy  remains on the agenda. Each year for 59 years, Congress has passed a bipartisan NDAA, and House and Senate leaders must continue their work to negotiate a finalized product.\nEven as we approach a lame-duck session  the period of time Congress finds itself in after the November elections and before the start of the new Congress in January  a wait-and-see approach only hurts us in the long run. It is particularly important we work to reach a consensus on these priorities and provide greater certainty moving into 2021. And to Gary's point, our long-term fiscal outlook indicates that we can only expect more difficult days ahead if we don't make these funding decisions sooner rather than later.\n\nHIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS BUILD MIDDLE SCHOOLER'S DREAM WHEELCHAIR\nWhen students in our community find an opportunity to do good for one of their classmates, I am never surprised to see them go above-and-beyond all expectations. Art students at Gwinnett Central High School recently came together to custom build an incredible Black Panther themed costume and wheelchair shell for DJ Johnson - a beloved student at Alton C. Crews Middle School in Lawrenceville.\nPart of the nationwide Magic Wheelchair program, the participating Gwinnett Central students not only got a chance to take part in a highly technical arts and engineering project, but also to create an unforgettable Halloween for DJ. Modeled after the Marvel Comic hero's Royal Talon Fighter, the wheelchair shell, equipped with a touch screen and over 200 LED lights, is awesome in the truest sense of the word, as DJ himself said. I hope you will join me in thanking all of this year's Magic Wheelchair student participants for their kindness and creativity. You set an incredible example for all of us in the Seventh District as we head into the holiday season.\n\nFORSYTH COUNTY BOOKMOBILE SET TO ARRIVE\nA commitment to lifelong learning is a cornerstone of our Seventh District community, and I am always eager to share the creative ways our community comes together to improve our educational infrastructure. This week, the Forsyth County Public Library's brand new, custom-built Bookmobile is set to arrive home after a long drive from Fort Lupton, Colorado, where it was built. By late November, the Bookmobile will be fully equipped with thousands of books, technological materials, and other resourcesbringing the library directly to our neighbors in across Forsyth County. At a time when access is limited for many due to the COVID-19 public health threat, I appreciate the incredible efforts of the team at Forsyth County Public Library to expand their reach and access to its books and services. \nI hope you will join me in commending the Forsyth County Public Library staff for turning the vision of a Bookmobile into a reality for our community. Your hard work will go a long way in ensuring that library services are accessible to all our neighbors, regardless of location or mobility.\nSincerely,\nRob Woodall  Member of Congress", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://woodall.house.gov/media-center/e-newsletter-archive/district-connection-11220"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.7929331623017788, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}