I am home for a few weeks of district work after an intense start to the 117th Congress on Capitol Hill. As my Committees on Appropriations and Natural Resources, my Congressional caucuses and my other DC activities are in full swing, this means a lot of very early committee hearings and other meetings as I haven’t been able to get Congress to adjust to Hawai‘i time yet!
My main focus remains as it has for over a year now on COVID-19, and I update you here on federal efforts and assistance. Equally important, it has never been more important that I keep in touch with you, answer your questions and respond to your concerns. Below is information on several of my efforts to do that.
1. COVID-19
On Congress’ delivery of federal emergency assistance across our country, I am still tracking funding from our CARES Act of last March and our supplemental package of last December all the way through to where it remains critically needed throughout Hawai‘i. We are closing in on $15 billion thus far, but the needs across our communities remain great. With the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan (APR) enacted just over two weeks ago, my efforts are focused all over again on assuring that Hawai‘i receives these additional billions in critical federal aid. More information on the ARP is here: https://case.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=438.
There is no faster path through the public health, economic and community crisis of COVID-19 than the widest possible vaccination (and, to answer a frequent question, I have been vaccinated). President Biden has set our goal at eligibility for all Americans by May 1st, and our ARP funds billions across the spectrum from production to distribution and administration to meet that goal. A primary concern is severe access obstacles for some of our highest risk and underserved communities, where highly targeted outreach efforts are necessary. As one example, I welcomed our federal government’s award yesterday of $32 million to fourteen of our Community Health Centers across Hawai‘i for vaccination outreach.
There remain a host of questions not only on the ARP but all aspects of COVID-19. A frequent one currently is when the next direct payment stimulus check will be received. Here is a quick link to check: https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment. My office is also fully available to try to provide answers. Please go to case.house.gov for more information as well as how to contact us for help.
2. Monday, March 29th Open IRS Tax Webinar
Tax season is confusing in any year, but especially so with so many COVID-19 issues. To answer your questions, I am hosting a live webinar with the Internal Revenue Service this coming Monday, March 29th at 10:30AM Hawai‘i time and invite you to join. The event will be online with a limited number of seats, so please RSVP at http://repedcase.eventbrite.com/?s=130089747. If you can’t make it, please contact my office and we will try to get you answers.
3. Replay of Monday, March 22nd Facebook Live Talk Story with Congressman Ed Case
Usually my district work periods would be full of in-person talk stories right across my district from Makapu‘u to Mililani and Ko ‘Olina. I deeply miss these opportunities to come to your community myself and talk story personally, and am eagerly looking forward to doing just that in a near-future time back home from DC.
In the meantime, I continue with virtually community meetings whenever and however I can. My most recent one was this last Monday, March 22nd, in which I provided updates on COVID-19 and other subject and answered live questions. Please check out this replay here: https://www.facebook.com/RepEdCase/videos/280478060382826.
4. Survey Results
In my last e-newsletter to you of March 5th, I included an anonymous online survey for your input. I am deeply grateful that so many of you responded, especially for your very constructive and helpful comments. I wanted to share what you told me:
What is your view of President Biden’s performance so far?
Very Favorable
| 44% |
Somewhat Favorable
| 17% |
Neutral
| 8% |
Somewhat Favorable
| 8% |
Very Unfavorable
| 23% |
Which one of the following best reflects your views on partisan differences in our country?
Major problem; parties must work better together
| 75% |
Major problem; other party is wrong most of the time
| 24% |
Not a problem; the way it is and should be | 1% |
What is your view of the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 emergency assistance package (American Rescue Plan)?
Strongly Support
| 44% |
Somewhat Support
| 21% |
Neutral
| 5% |
Somewhat Oppose
| 12% |
Strongly Oppose | 18% |
What is your view of H.R. 1, the For the People Act?
Strongly Support
| 49% |
Somewhat Support
| 12% |
Neutral
| 14% |
Somewhat Oppose
| 6% |
Strongly Oppose | 19% |
What is your general political philosophy?
Strong Liberal
| 19% |
Lean Liberal
| 18% |
Moderate
| 33% |
Lean Conservative
| 13% |
Strong Conservative
| 8% |
Prefer Not to Answer | 9% |
5. Upcoming Tele-Talk Story with Congressman Ed Case Monday, April 12th
My next live talk story is coming up on Monday, April 12th at 6:30PM Hawai‘i time by telephone. We’ll be mailing a newsletter and calling homes throughout my 1st Congressional District a few days before explaining how to join. Right before my talk story begins, we’ll call again from my Honolulu office phone number, (808) 650-6688, and ask you to just stay on the line. If you don’t get these calls, you can just call in when the talk story starts at (855) 274-9528. You can also join online at then https://case.house.gov/live/. I truly look forward to talking story with you again then.
As always, I welcome your questions, comments and guidance as we all get through this difficult time for our Hawai‘i and country. Be safe and be well.
P.S. Please sign up for my regular e-newsletter here.
