This week, the House voted on law enforcement reform legislation. When it comes to this issue, we all agree that reforms are needed to address police misconduct and strengthen the accountability and transparency of our law enforcement agencies. However, instead of coming to the table with Republicans on this issue, Speaker Pelosi chose to move a partisan messaging bill that fails to reflect the viewpoints of all stakeholders, creates the potential for unintended consequences, and will actually undermine the ability of law enforcement agencies to protect and serve their communities.
I voted against this legislation because creating messaging opportunities for campaign advertising is the ultimate act of disrespect regarding issues in need of a solution. Leadership must now certainly be further defined. It is political leadership, or it is policy leadership. Apparently, in Washington, the former is in favor in the House.
You might be interested to know that Republicans have introduced an alternative law enforcement reform bill that can actually be signed into law and make a meaningful difference: H.R. 7278, the JUSTICE Act. As a cosponsor of this legislation, the JUSTICE Act would offer policy solutions to increase transparency, accountability, and performance, so our nation’s law enforcement officers are better trained and equipped to protect and serve their communities. Click here to learn more.
NEVADA NEWS & COMMUNITY UPDATES
As Nevada continues navigating its response to the economic and health care challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, my staff and I have continued to work closely with our state and local partners to ensure we’re on track for recovery. As you may know, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provides payments to State, Local, and Tribal governments – frequently referred to as the ‘State Stabilization Fund’ – to help states navigate the impact of COVID-19.
In Nevada, approximately $1.25 billion was allocated to our State Stabilization Fund through the CARES Act, with Governor Sisolak announcing $148,551,100 of that allocation to be distributed to local governments to aid in recuperation efforts. The distribution of funds is based on federal guidance for local governments with a population of less than 500,000, which in Nevada, includes all counties and incorporated cities outside of Clark County and the City of Las Vegas. Below is a breakdown of federal CARES Act funding that will be distributed to local governments throughout CD-2 to assist with unanticipated expenditures created by COVID-19:
While my staff and I continue to monitor the financial viability of local governments and impacted industries, to date, Nevada hospitals and other healthcare providers have received more than $1 billion in aid across four federal relief packages, direct payments to individuals totals over $2 billion, and relief for small businesses in Nevada totals nearly $4 billion. Between funding allocations to the state and direct payments to individuals, Nevada has received more than $11 billion in aid.
Testing Update
To date, more than 30 million tests for COVID-19 have been performed across the United States, with more than 293,854 of those tests performed here in Nevada. The University Medical Center (UMC) has run the largest number of tests (63,815), with the Nevada State Public Health Lab (59,940) and Quest Diagnostics (47,816) as the next largest testing providers in Nevada. Our state continues to maintain the capacity to test all individuals showing COVID-19 symptoms, and criteria for testing has been relaxed to include asymptomatic individuals. Throughout the month of June, daily testing totals have routinely exceeded the 4,000 tests per day goal set by Nevada as part of its testing strategy approved by the White House Coronavirus Task Force.
Expanded Testing Updates in Nevada: To support Nevada’s goal to test 4,000 people per day, the White House Coronavirus Task Force has provided hundreds of thousands of units of critical testing supplies for the months of May and June – specifically swabs and sample transport tubes – helping Nevada to achieve and exceed its daily testing goals. This federal support and technical assistance will continue through the end of 2020, continuing the strong federal-state testing partnership that has allowed Nevada to massively expand its testing footprint in a matter of months.
Economic Update
While the economic-devastation caused by COVID-19 is being felt in communities across the country, this week, reports indicate Nevada’s unemployment rate has improved as jobs are continuing to rebound from April lows. In fact, all three of Nevada’s Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) which include Las Vegas, Reno, and Carson City have experienced employment growth, with more than 27,000 jobs created this month.
Healthcare Update
Recently, we’ve checked in with our hospitals and healthcare providers across CD-2 regarding their supply of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The Nevada Hospital Association has indicated that PPE supplies for their membership throughout the state have returned to a multi-week supply, which allows Nevada’s healthcare providers to be prepared and equipped with the supplies required to continue serving our community as needed.
As always, thank you for subscribing to the Amodei Report. I look forward to continuing to keep you up to date on the issues you care about most. For additional information, please visit my website at amodei.house.gov or call my Washington office: (202) 225-6155, Reno office: (775) 686-5760, or Elko office: (775) 777-7705. To receive updates on what I am doing in Washington and in Nevada’s 2nd District follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
