Aloha, Friend.
As we close in on the midpoint of 2021, my office and I are on overdrive on Capitol Hill and at home. Here I report back to you on some of our efforts.
- Federal Budget Survey Results
I really appreciate all of your responses to my anonymous online survey on our federal budget here, including the many additional comments, all of which I’ve read. Here are the results.
In sum, fully 89% of respondents are very concerned or somewhat concerned with our federal budget and finances, so this clearly cuts across all parts of our community. After that, there are wide differences over the President’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 budget and just how to address our common budget concerns.
All of these issues are front and center in Congress as we address not only the FY 22 budget but proposed additional trillions of dollars in infrastructure and other spending, related proposed pay-fors like tax increases, and a proposed increase in our debt ceiling (the maximum debt our government can carry), all while inflation creeps up. My own decisions on all of these difficult issues will continue to be directed by the need to address our country’s critical challenges while maintaining long-term fiscal responsibility and sustainability. Here is my own testimony to our House Committee on the Budget with my further thoughts.
- Appropriations Committee Activity
Related, my House Committee on Appropriations, responsible for all federal discretionary spending, is in full swing as we deliberate our twelve separate appropriations measures totaling some $1.5 trillion for upcoming FY22 beginning October 1st. This will consume most of my time through July, but our work began months ago with my own appropriations requests, oversight hearings in my various subcommittees, and personal testimony before some of the other subcommittees highlighting areas of special interest.
Here are two of my testimonies: (1) before our State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee on Indo-Pacific priorities including our own East West Center here; and (2) before our Agriculture and Rural Development Subcommittee on Hawai’i agriculture priorities here.
- Go For Broke
Last week, I was truly privileged to lead Special Order speeches in the full House with my colleagues, Rep. Mark Takano of California and Rep. Kai Kahele, honoring our nation’s newest commemorative stamp: Go For Broke; Japanese American Soldiers of World War II. Here is my presentation on the floor of the House here, along with President Biden’s statement on issuance of the stamp here highlighting this remarkable story that continues to inspire so many of us.
- District Outreach
I have also maxed my time home to continue to outreach throughout my district and stay connected with my partners in state and county government. Here are a few videos of some of my district activities:
Congressman Ed Case Reports on ‘Ōlelo Community Broadcasting, with (1) visits to Mililani Farmers Market and Mililani High School here, and (2) visits to Kapolei High School, Waipahu Elementary School and Waipahu Intermediate School, my participation in the groundbreaking in Kapolei of the Daniel K. Akaka State Veterans Home, and excerpts of my talking story with some of my Honolulu City Council colleagues here.
Talk Story with Honolulu City Councilmember Augie Tulba (Mililani to Waipahu and Ewa Beach) here .
Talk Story with Honolulu City Councilmember Radiant Cordero (Kalihi to Sand Island, Ford Island, Foster Village and Salt Lake/Āliamanu) here.
Cruzin’ with Congressman Ed Case with special guest Honolulu City Councilmember Brandon Elefante (Aiea through Pearl City to Waipahu), in which we get out of our offices and hit the road through our mutual district visiting some of our mutual projects up close and comparing notes on site, here.
- COVID-19 Vaccination Update/Availability
Quick, safe, widespread vaccination remains the single most effective action we can take individually and collectively to protect ourselves, our loved one and our communities and emerge from the pandemic. But although vaccines are widely available and free, today only 57% of Hawaii’s population is fully vaccinated and 61% partially (against a national goal of 70% by July Fourth and a national rate of 43% fully and 53% partially.
We must do better, especially in reaching and helping our less-connected community members with information and availability. Here are some resources:
Our federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Key Things To Know About COVID-19 Vaccines here .
The CDC’s web site here for how to find and get to a vaccination site near you.
Our State of Hawaii’s COVID-19 vaccine website here for local information.
Our State of Hawaii’s #HiGotVaccinated site here for our statewide contest and a list of prizes for all Hawai’i residents 18 and older who have received at least one vaccine dose.
Please contact me with any questions at ed.case@mail.house.gov or (808) 650-6688. Yes, we can do this!
As always, I am deeply grateful for your questions, input and partnership. For more information on these or any other issues of concern to you, please visit my website at https://Case.house.gov or else email or call me at the contacts above.
Be safe and be well.
