Rep. Susie Lee Releases 2020 Third Quarter Report

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Susie Lee (Nev.-03) released the following statement marking her third quarter of 2020 in Congress:

"Right now, I am a single-issue congressperson, and that issue is COVID-19 relief. Nevadans have been waiting for over four months and need help right now. Like most Americans, I am sick and tired of seeing both Republicans and Democrats kick this can down the road.

"The frustrating inaction led me and my Problem Solvers' Caucus colleagues to unveil our ‘March to Common Ground' COVID-19 relief proposal. I'm encouraged that our plan has jumpstarted negotiations and sparked a renewed energy to get a bipartisan COVID-19 relief package passed. Thousands of Nevadans were forced to sacrifice their livelihoods to save lives. We owe it to them the get them the support they need to make it through this pandemic.

"As always but especially at this moment, constituent services are my top priority, so I'm proud that my office has helped thousands of constituents this year with COVID-related cases. I'll keep fighting for the thousands more Nevadans who still need relief during this pandemic."

Accomplishments for Nev.-03 Constituents since July 1, 2020:

• Recovered approximately $743,000 for constituents.
• Responded to over 18,200 emails, calls, and letters.
• Assisted 932 constituents with specific issues, 614 of which were COVID-19-related cases.
• Attended/hosted 58 public events in Nevada's 3rd District

Leading the charge in Congress to jumpstart coronavirus relief negotiations

• Problem Solver's Caucus "March to Common Ground" Proposal
  
  • On Sept. 15, 2020, Rep. Lee, along with her colleagues in the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus (PSC) unveiled the "March to Common Ground" framework to help break the gridlock on the latest COVID-19 relief package and encourage negotiators to get back to the table.
  • The package addresses key areas of need, including COVID-19 testing, unemployment insurance, direct stimulus payments, worker and liability protections, small business and non-profit support, food security, schools and child care, housing, election support, and state and local aid.
    
  • Most importantly, the proposal has support of both Democrats and Republicans. It is reported that the Trump administration has indicated that they will use the PSC proposal as a basis for relief negotiations.
    
  • This proposal followed Rep. Lee's continuous pressure on Congress to pass additional coronavirus relief, and the importance of securing a deal that is supported by both Democrats and Republicans.

• Securing relief for Nevada workers in most recent proposal
  
  • On Sept. 28, House of Representatives leadership released their most recent COVID-19 relief proposal. In this proposal, Rep. Lee helped secure relief for entertainment, aviation, and restaurant workers, all of whom help form the backbone of Nevada's economy.
    

Helping Nev.-03 constituents during the COVID-19 pandemic

• Rep. Lee has prioritized speaking directly with constituents as frequently as possible to better understand how the pandemic is affecting Nevada families, workers, and small businesses:
  
  • On Sept. 24, Rep. Lee hosted a Facebook Live roundtable on the state of distance education in communities of color and rural communities in Nevada.
    
  • On Sept. 2, Rep. Lee hosted a Facebook Live roundtable with the Nevada State Education Association (NSEA) to discuss the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic—and the failed response that followed—on children and young students.
    
  • On Sept. 1, Rep. Lee hosted a Facebook Live roundtable to discuss K-12 and higher education in the southern Nevada Hispanic community.
    
  • On Aug. 19, Rep. Lee and U.S. Sen. Jacky Rosen (Nev.) hosted a roundtable with representatives of several Nevada child care organizations to discuss the need for child care support during the coronavirus pandemic.
    
  • On Aug. 19, Rep. Lee hosted a Facebook Live roundtable with Nevada Parent Teacher Association (NVPTA) President Rebecca Garcia and Clark County School District (CCSD) parents and teachers.
    
  • On Aug. 13, Rep. Lee hosted a Facebook Live roundtable on the disproportionate effects of COVID-19 in southern Nevada minority communities. Representatives from several nursing trade groups and associations, minority health entities, and other related organizations joined the discussion.
    
  • On Aug. 1, Rep. Lee hosted a telephone town hall with education experts to answer constituents' questions about the best at-home teaching strategies as Clark County School District (CCSD) parents began to prepare for the start of the academic year on Aug. 24.
    
  • On July 29, Rep. Lee hosted a Facebook Live discussion with Nevada Department of Employment, Training, and Rehabilitation (DETR) to discuss questions and concerns related to unemployment insurance and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) for Nevada workers.
    
  • On July 22, Rep. Lee, a member of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), and the Asian Community Development Council (ACDC) hosted a Facebook Live roundtable to discuss issues impacting southern Nevada's Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community.

• Rep. Lee has translated what she has learned on the ground from her constituents into concrete legislation to help Nevada families and workers during the coronavirus pandemic:
  
  • On Sept. 23, the House of Representatives passed the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act, which includes a provision based on Reps. Lee and Jim Banks' (R-Ind.-03) bipartisan bill, the VA Telehealth Expansion Act, which would expand telehealth services for veterans at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and improve veterans' health care during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act will implement a comprehensive and aggressive strategy to reach more veterans with the mental health care they need.
    
  • On Sept. 16, Rep. Lee helped pass the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Coronavirus Relief Act, which would expand resources and academic support for distance learning for K-12 students and families.
    
  • On Aug. 28, Rep. Lee introduced the Communities Serving Schools Act, which would provide grants to state and local education agencies to invest in wrap-around school services that assist with the health, well-being, and stability of students outside of the classroom.
    
  • On Aug. 22, Rep. Lee helped pass the Delivering for America Act, which protects and strengthens the United States Postal Service (USPS) as the agency faces deliberate delays from the current administration.
    
  • On Aug. 4, Rep. Lee introduced the Community College Workforce Training Act, which would reauthorize the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training (TAACCCT) grant program. Rep. Lee's bill would authorize $2 billion through fiscal year 2024 to restart the TAACCCT grant program as a way to support higher education and workforce development during the COVID-19 pandemic.