Have you seen May’s job report from the Department of Labor? Employers added over 2.5 million jobs in May – the biggest overall increase on record. Unemployment continues to drop as more businesses open their doors and as more Americans return to work. Along with increased employment levels in construction, the leisure and hospitality sector also saw an uptick in employment numbers. The number of unemployed Americans who were reportedly laid off decreased by almost three million in May.

But let’s not stop there. Take the growth of the stock market for example. On March 23, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) hovered above 18,500 points – one of its lowest positions since 2016. As of this week, the DJIA soared to over 27,000 points, and the NASDAQ recorded an all time high as well. Markets are rebounding, unemployment is on a downward slope, and America’s businesses are beginning to reopen their doors. The great American comeback is happening right before our very eyes and this is just the beginning.

Now is not the time for states and localities to slow roll reopening for businesses and manufacturers. Doing so only births further disarray and stark discord that we cannot afford. We must foster a pro-growth approach that is conducive to fully operational state and local economies. In short, it is time for action. Our country is built – and more importantly sustained – by hardworking Americans who do not stand idly by when there’s work to be done. We’re on the right track, but we can’t let complacency or delay encroach upon the progress we continue to make. 

FINAL REMINDER: Teacher In Congress

This year, my 13th annual Teacher in Congress Internship will take place July 24 – 31, 2020. The internship program will be held in my Washington, D.C. congressional office and will consist of learning activities, including an introduction to the legislative process; tours of the U.S. Capitol, Library of Congress and area museums; briefings with House committee staff; and attending hearings, mark-ups and floor debates.

Due to COVID-19 concerns, the program will be in accordance with appropriate social distancing protocols and guidelines as laid out by the Committee on House Administration and the Office of Attending Physician.

Preference will be given to applicants who:

-      Live in the 5th District

-      Teach at a public or private school in the 5th District

-      Teach grades 9-12 during the 2020-2021 school year

Applicants must be available to arrive in Washington the afternoon of Friday, July 24, 2020 for orientation and stay for the duration of the entire internship. For more information, click here.

Applicants should submit a completed Teacher in Congress Internship application form by close of business on Friday, June 19, 2020.

New Scam Update

In previous newsletters, I’ve highlighted a myriad of new schemes intended to defraud you of your hard-earned money. We can agree that when it comes to emerging scams, it certainly seems like the floodgates have been opened. However, I want to take a moment and highlight an issue that has the potential to be overlooked: scammers targeting children. The sad reality is that the online safety of children can be compromised within an instant.

Since the outset of COVID-19, schools have transitioned to online learning. From instructional videos to online course modules, students have a plethora of resources at their disposal, but this also means that those resources can be exploited. For example, video conferencing services such as ZOOM have come under attack in the past few months due to lapses in security. Scammers can “ZOOM bomb” conferences and listen in on conversations or broadcast explicit material.

If your child is participating in a ZOOM meeting as part of a course or learning module, ensure that the link to the meeting is not shared on social media, the host of the meeting (teacher, instructor, or other individual) uses a password to secure the meeting, and that screensharing is disabled during the duration of the meeting. For more information on how children can be protected online, click here to visit the Department of Justice’s website.

Recent Events

One of my favorite photos commemorating Flag Day

Speaking with constituents about hotel and hospitality issues