July 22, 2022

Greetings,

We hope you had a great week. In Washington, Congressman Kim voted on substantial legislation in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade which responds to potential threats against other rights, like same-sex marriage and the right to contraception. The House also passed a package of government funding legislation that included funding for a number of important local community projects in Burlington and Ocean County. As always, we hope you find the following updates and resources helpful.

Congressman Kim Votes to Pass Legislation to Protect Marriage Equality and the Right to Access Contraception

This week, Congressman Kim voted to pass the Respect for Marriage Act to enshrine marriage equality for same-sex and interracial couples, repeal the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), and provide additional legal protections for marriage equality. He also voted to pass the Right to Contraception Act to guarantee the right to obtain and use birth control, including contraceptive pills, IUDs, and emergency contraception.

These bills defend fairness, protect individual freedoms, and push back against discrimination in all forms. In a concurring opinion in the Dobbs case, Justice Clarence Thomas explicitly called on the Supreme Court to reconsider its decisions protecting other fundamental rights. This included the right to same-sex marriage recognized in the Obergefell decision and the right of privacy against state restrictions on contraception established in the Griswold decision.

Congressman Kim Secures Major Funding to Create Jobs, Lower Costs, Protect Veteran Mental Health, and Support Projects in Burlington and Ocean Counties Through House-Passed Government Funding Bills

On Wednesday, Congressman Kim voted to pass a package of Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 government funding bills for some government agencies, which includes provisions championed by the Congressman.

“From creating good-paying jobs, to protecting veterans’ mental health programs, to supporting projects in Burlington and Ocean Counties that will improve roads, bridges, and housing, update water systems in Willingboro and Moorestown, strengthen Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, support Edgewater Park police and municipal services, and upgrade the Westampton VFW – these investments will have tangible impacts in our community,” said Congressman Kim. 

Click here to learn more about provisions secured by Congressman Kim for new jobs, lower costs, boosted veteran care, support for local community projects, and more. This legislation must be passed by the Senate before it can be signed into law.

New 988 Suicide and Crisis Helpline Launches

On July 16th, the new 988 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline launched to provide free, 24/7 support nationwide for anyone in the U.S. in need. If you are experiencing a mental health or substance-related crisis, you can call or text 988 to reach a trained counselor. You can also go to 988lifeline.org.

Additionally, the Veterans Crisis Line can now be reached by calling 988, then pressing 1. The Veterans Crisis line serves veterans, servicemembers, National Guard and Reserve members, and those who support them.

Congressman Kim was proud to vote for the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act to designate 988 as the universal number for the hotline, which was signed into law in 2020.

July Service Spotlight: Kasey Massa and Camp No Worries

Each month, Congressman Kim highlights an extraordinary individual, group, or organization from Burlington and Ocean Counties for their service to our community. You can nominate someone or a group of people here! This month, we told the story of Kasey Massa, the founder of Camp No Worries. 

Based in Moorestown, NJ, Camp No Worries is a summer camp for children battling cancer and their siblings. A week long, Camp No Worries gives children the opportunity to relax, enjoy themselves, and forget about their troubles every summer. Read Kasey’s full spotlight here.

Burlington and Ocean Counties Rated HIGH RISK COVID Communities

This week, Ocean County’s COVID-19 Community Risk Level was elevated to HIGH RISK. Burlington County remained at HIGH RISK. Therefore, federal officials recommend that people wear a mask indoors in public. Additional precautions may be needed for people at high risk for severe illness. People with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask. Masks are recommended in indoor public transportation settings and may be required in other places by local or state authorities. You can read more about the CDC COVID-19 Community Level tool, which is updated every Thursday, here.

As cases rise, the New Jersey Department of Health will host a webinar on July 28th to provide an update on the new COVID-19 subvariant and discuss the resources and strategies that are available to keep people living in long-term care facilities safe and healthy. You can register for the event here.

Find a Cooling Center to Stay Hydrated During the Summer Heat

As summer temperatures stay high in New Jersey, check out these resources to find a cooling center near you to get out of the heat, stay cool, and get hydrated.

Interested in Receiving Other Updates?

If you want to receive specific updates on issues that matter most to you, consider signing-up for one of our additional newsletters! To subscribe to our COVID-19 Updates, Small Business Newsletter, Guide to Grants, Veterans Newsletter, and/or our Seniors Newsletter, click here.

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve you every day!

Have a wonderful weekend,

The Office of Congressman Andy Kim

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