Weekly Update | July 11, 2020
Why I introduced the Health Care Protection Act
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced millions of Americans out of work, putting their access to health care at risk. That's why I worked with lawmakers from both parties to introduce the Health Care Protection Act.

Read my op-ed in The News-Gazette on our bipartisan legislation here.
Speeding Up Permitting Process of Major Federal Infrastructure Project
The federal permitting process often delays infrastructure improvements. We need our roads & bridges fixed today, not 5-10 years from now. My legislation, the One Federal Decision Act, would fix that by speeding up the federal permitting process for major infrastructure projects.

Read my op-ed in  The State Journal-Register  on my bill here
Constituent Service Update
***Send me an e-mail or call my offices if you need assistance. We're here to serve you.***

Update from the IRS on Paper Tax Returns

All taxpayers should file electronically through their tax preparer, tax software provider or IRS Free File if possible. The IRS is not currently able to process individual paper tax returns. If you already have filed via paper but it has not yet been processed, do not file a second tax return or write to the IRS to inquire about the status of your return or your Economic Impact Payment. Paper returns will be processed once processing centers are able to reopen. This year, more than 90% of taxpayers have filed electronically. 

Learn more at  IRS operations and services .
C onstituent Service Spotlight
Helping Constituents Cut Through Red Tape in Oreana
“A resolution with the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Care in the Community (CITC) program has been resolved to my satisfaction. Additionally, other veterans will benefit from the outcome. I am grateful for you and your local staff in Decatur and Taylorville, IL for the rapid response and support.”
 
-Darrell, Oreana, IL
More Important Updates
Preserving the 1908 Springfield Race Riot Site
I wrote a letter to Congressional leaders requesting funding to authorize the Department of Interior (DOI) to perform any relevant studies needed to designate the Springfield Race Riot Site as part of the National Park System (NPS).

We were successful in getting the FY21 DOI appropriations bill to include a provision requiring the Secretary of the Interior to perform a special resource study to designate the 1908 Springfield Race Riot Site as a unit of the NPS.
Davis visits the 1908 Springfield Race Riot Site on July 31, 2019.
2020 Congressional App Challenge
The Congressional App Challenge is now open for middle and high school students throughout the 13th Congressional District. This initiative is to encourage student engagement in coding and other STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) related fields.

The 2020 Congressional App Challenge submission period opened June 1, 2020 and will close on October 19, 2020. The apps will be judged by a panel of local judges who work within the academic, software, and computer science fields. The winning app for each district will be featured in an exhibit displayed in the U.S. Capitol building.
 
Students may compete as individuals or in teams of up to four. Students entering the competition should first  register online by visiting congressionalappchallenge.us . Once registered they must submit their app’s source code online by the deadline, as well as provide a video demo explaining their app and what they learned through this competition process.
 
Innovation and technology are major drivers of the American economy and scientific advances. This competition boosts student interest in STEM fields and encourages them to consider related career paths while honing important skills.

For additional details, visit my website,  rodneydavis.house.gov , or contact our Champaign office at (217) 403-4690.
Working To Grow Jobs in IL-13
It’s an honor to receive the Spirit of Enterprise award from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The Award is given annually to members of Congress in recognition of their pro-economic growth, pro-job votes and bipartisan engagement with members of the opposing party.
I am committed to supporting legislation that grows our nation’s economy because that means more jobs for central Illinois, and I have a record of working with both parties to get the job done. Now more than ever, we should be doing everything we can to help small businesses, grow jobs and boost wages because that’s how we will recover from the economic damage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.