By: Rep. Ben Cline
I recently joined my Republican colleagues on the Education and Labor Committee in writing to Secretary Perdue urging the Department of Agriculture to review flexibilities allowed under law to our nation’s child nutrition program. Utilizing such flexibilities at the beginning of the coronavirus crisis allowed schools to provide meals to students in need and employing them again would enable educational institutions to continue doing so. I was pleased that Secretary Perdue agreed with our recommendation and this week authorized schools to continue to provide meals to vulnerable students through the end of 2020.
COVID-19 Update:
The AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine has entered Phase 3, the final phase of clinical trials. The federal government’s task force, Operation Warp Speed, now has three vaccine candidates in the final phase of clinical trials. Earlier this month, the FDA commissioner emphasized that no matter what, only a safe, effective vaccine will get final approval.
Currently, vaccine developers are searching for thousands of volunteers for these clinical trials. Additionally, there is a need for plasma donations from those who have recovered from COVID-19 that may help treat people who have recently contracted the coronavirus. Fueled by American ingenuity, scientists and doctors are working around the clock to develop a vaccine, improve and increase testing, and create more effective treatment plans.
Veterans Benefits Administration Telephone Town Hall:
Under Secretary of the Veterans Benefits Administration Dr. Paul Lawrence will be hosting his second Virginia statewide telephone town hall Wednesday, Sept. 9 at 4 p.m. for veterans in Virginia. He will discuss the benefits our service members have rightly earned and then will take questions for approximately 45 minutes. To participate, dial 833-380 -0417 during the time of the call.
White House Tours:
While most tours of federal buildings, including of the U.S. Capitol, remain suspended due to COVID-19, the White House has announced that tours will resume in a limited capacity on September 12. Tours will be hosted two days a week instead of five, on Friday and Saturday, from 8: to 11 a.m. and the number of guests will be limited to 18 percent of normal capacity. Further, safety precautions will be in place such as the requiring of wearing masks, social distancing, and hand sanitizer will be readily available. To learn more about White House tours, call my office at 202-225-5431.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your Congressman. If my office can ever be of assistance, please contact my Washington office at (202) 225-5431. For the latest updates from Washington and across the Sixth District, please follow my Facebook and Twitter pages
