Recently, I’ve had many constituents write to me about coin shortages affecting small businesses, supermarkets, and even farmers markets. While this is being dubbed as a “national coin shortage”, there are underlying circumstances that many people do not know about. In early June, the Federal Reserve announced that normal circulation patterns for coins have been disrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, what does this exactly mean? Since the outset of the pandemic, coin deposits from institutions to the Federal Reserve have rapidly declined, and as the economy begins to reopen, more institutions such as commercial banks, community banks, credit unions, and thrifts have placed coin orders to the Federal Reserve. Consequently, the national supply chain and existing coin inventories become stretched too thin.

To underscore how the supply chain has been affected, think about the businesses and vendors who primarily rely on coins such as laundromats, vending machine companies, and even car washes. Fewer customers frequenting these stores or service areas means coins can’t be redistributed back to banks and back into the economy. In response, the Federal Reserve has created a task force comprised of representatives from the American Bankers Association, the Independent Community Bankers of America, the U.S. Mint, and many others. As it stands, this task force will be officially publishing recommendations to correct this disruption by mid-August.

This past Saturday, President Trump signed H.R. 4920, the Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting Preference Consistency Act of 2020 into law. To fully understand the necessity for this legislation, let’s turn back the clocks. For blind or visually impaired workers, their opportunity to gain employment stems from the AbilityOne program. AbilityOne was enacted by Congress to help those who have trouble finding work due to circumstances beyond their control. This program gives nonprofit companies that employ the blind and significantly disabled individuals preferential treatment in competing for certain federal procurement contracts. One such nonprofit is IFB Solutions, which employs workers right here in the Fifth District.

Unfortunately, court rulings cost IFB Solutions three important federal contracts that supported blind workers. This is because of an unnecessary conflict between AbilityOne and a similar program, the Veterans First program, which sets aside some Department of Veterans Affairs contracts for service-disabled veteran owned small businesses. Typically, the AbilityOne program has been exempted from such programs to not put programs for veterans and programs for the blind in conflict with each other. However, when Congress passed the Veterans Benefits Act of 2006 to create the Veterans First program, it neglected to exempt the AbilityOne program.

Thanks to the passage of H.R. 4920, nonprofits who support individuals with disabilities such as IFB Solutions, located in Winston Salem, can work for the VA if they held federal contracts that predate the Veterans Benefits Act of 2006. This is not only a victory for blind or visually impaired individuals, but it’s also a victory for veterans as well. As an original cosponsor of this bipartisan initiative, I’m pleased to see its passage in the House and its subsequent signage by President Trump.

This past Sunday, a 5.1 magnitude earthquake struck outside the city of Sparta shortly after 8:00 AM, and it was not only the strongest earthquake in North Carolina in a century, but it was also the strongest earthquake on the east coast in a decade. According to the US Geological Survey, the earthquake was the fourth to strike the seven-state area (North Carolina, Virginia, South Carolina, West Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Georgia) in less than 24 hours. Though it was recorded as the strongest earthquake in over a century in North Carolina, the overall damage – primarily in the form of foundational cracks, broken dishes and chimney damage – was relatively minor. However, this warrants a conversation on what to do during an earthquake if one were to happen in the near future. Below are a few measures from Safety.com, that can help keep you and your loved ones safe:

Take some time to discuss evacuation with your family. Sketch a floor plan of your home; walk through each room and discuss evacuation details.

Mark where the utility switches or valves are located and learn how to turn off your gas and water mains, as well as electricity.

Prepare a disaster kit. Stock up on canned food, a first-aid kit, 3 gallons of water per person, dust masks, goggles, battery-operated radio and flashlights.

Determine safe spaces away from windows in each room of your home. Choose spots where it is unlikely something will fall on you.

Recent Events

Celebrating National Health Center Week with a look back at when I visited Avery County Senior Center

Speaking on the House floor on Hospital Price Transparency

Sparkle enjoying the view from her perch