Dear Friend,
As July 4th approaches, I encourage you to join me in saying “I’m proud to be an American.” Almost 250 years ago, a small group of colonies declared
independence from Britain and, after many hard-fought battles, our nation was born. Over the course of our history, we have overcome great challenges,
both domestic and abroad, and we have faced every downturn with dignity and every victory with humility. As we look back over the course of our
history, we have a lot to be proud of, but it is difficult to look past the last few months and the challenges our great country has been presented
with. However, as we celebrate our nation’s founding, we must remember that every difficulty our nation has faced, we have overcome. This current
time for our country will be no different. So, I encourage you to join me in remembering all of the freedoms and liberties we enjoy, knowing that
we will solve the issues facing our nation, and to reflect on all of the blessings that make you Proud to Be an American. Happy 4th of July. God
Bless America.
Nancy Pelosi’s “My Way or the Highway” Bill
This week, I voted against H.R. 2 – Speaker Pelosi’s Partisan Green Infrastructure Wishlist. Usually, Republicans and Democrats work in a bipartisan
way to pass the highway reauthorization, but the new radical Democrats have instead pushed a wishlist of Green New Deal initiatives that ignores
the realistic needs of Americans. Their plan would create impractical and authoritarian federal mandates, regulations, and costs to the American
taxpayer. Democrats drafted and passed this bill from committee without any support from Republicans and then added another $1 trillion to the
package without ever using the legislative process or finding a way to pay for it. The Majority’s infrastructure bill is just another posturing
statement by Speaker Pelosi and House Democrats to run our country further into debt and leave rural Americans to foot the bill.
Many important American groups have voiced their opposition to his legislation,
including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Manufacturers, and American Farm Bureau Federation, just to name a few. Republicans
are focused on creating a comprehensive package that addresses real needs while providing flexibility for states to address the issues critical
to their own infrastructure. What’s best for California is not best for Mississippi, which is why I believe the heavy-handed, Green New Deal infrastructure
bill is bad for America as whole. The top-down approach favored by Democrats to push their agenda on the rest of the nation must come to an end,
and I will continue to fight for Mississippi interests.
COVID-19 Testing Sites and Resources
Individuals experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or who have had a known exposure to someone who has tested positive for the coronavirus can receive an appointment
for free COVID-19 testing by completing the online questionnaire found at umc.edu/covidscreening or by contacting
the UMMC Center for Telehealth at (601) 496-7200 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Anyone determined to need testing will be given an appointment
date and time at the testing site most convenient. The testing site in Jackson has moved from the Mississippi State Fairgrounds to the West Street
Farmers Market on Woodrow Wilson Avenue and is available from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day, except for Sunday.
- July 2nd – Amite County: Amite County Harrison Building, 910 Old McComb Liberty Rd, Liberty
- July 2nd – Tippah County: Tippah County Coliseum, 10810 MS-15, Ripley
- July 6th – Monroe County: Becker Community Center, 52246 MS-25, Amory
- July 6th – Hinds County: Utica Community Center, 414 E Main St, Utica
I have compiled a list of resources on my website for your convenience. By visiting my Coronavirus Relief page,
you can find helpful information on managing this crisis. We will continue to update the page as more information becomes available, so be sure
to check back every few days and subscribe to my newsletter to receive updates.
Latest Statistics
As of Wednesday, July 1st, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 2,624,873 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the United States. From Tuesday to Wednesday, we saw 43,644 additional cases. The number
of individuals who have passed away as a result of infection increased by 560 nationwide, and the total number of deaths in the U.S. from the virus
is now 127,299.
As reported today, an additional 653 Mississippians have contracted the coronavirus, and 9 more Mississippians passed away from the virus. In total,
305,600 Mississippians have been tested for COVID-19, and 19,388 COVID-19 cases are presumed to have recovered. See below for graphs and infographics
from the Mississippi State Department of Health on the number of cases in Mississippi.
Sincerely,
Michael Guest
Member of Congress
