Celebrating Workers, Preventing Gun Violence, New COVID Boosters & More

As we prepare to observe the Labor Day weekend, I want to recognize and celebrate workers, especially those who aren't always acknowledged for what they do to help all of us in our daily lives in ways large and small.

This Labor Day, I salute and honor our home healthcare workers, custodians, trash collectors, ditch diggers, fast food workers – you name it – people who work day in and day out performing jobs that allow us to go about our daily lives without missing a beat.

I also want to express my appreciation for unions and union workers. In some ways, we have the pandemic to thank for the rise in recent successful union drives – companies called their employees "essential workers" but didn't always treat them that way. Now, we all see more clearly how critical they are – and the formation of unions are not just having success at Starbucks, Amazon and Apple but across the spectrum of industries and services. So, thank you workers – what you do is essential to all of us.

Sept. 7 is Gun Violence Prevention Day

As our students return to classrooms in Georgia's Fourth District, families are once again anxious about the threat of gun violence. At school, on the streets, and in our places of worship, senseless gun violence endangers our kids and our families. That's why I'm proud not to just support but to have voted this Congress to pass commonsense gun violence prevention legislation that requires background checks for all gun sales, closes loopholes that let dangerous people get guns, bans assault weapons, and keeps our children safe.

On September 7th, I invite you to join me on social media recognizing Gun Violence Prevention Day of Action using the hashtag #EndGunViolence. We can and must do more.

Free COVID-19 Tests ending September 2nd

Tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 2nd, is the last day to order your free at-home COVID tests from the federal government. Free tests will still be available at pharmacies and through your health insurance but as of tomorrow, this mail program will end. I supported extending this program, but Congress has not provided the additional funding. To get your eight free tests, visit: https://special.usps.com/testkits.

Sept. 17 is Passport Day

On Saturday, Sept. 17th, the Department of State Atlanta Passport Agency is hosting a passport day for first-time applicants or those who need to renew their passport. Passport holders who have less than six months validity on their passports, should consider renewing their passports now. Appointments must be scheduled by submitting a Privacy Release Agreement located on our website. Appointment requests must be submitted to our office by Friday, Sept. 9th. Appointment slots are limited. There will be no walk-in appointments. For information about what forms, special requirements and photos you'll need, please visit Travel.State.Gov/Passports.

Student Loan Forgiveness

The Biden-Harris Administration announced last week that it will provide up to $20,000 in debt cancellation to Pell Grant recipients and up to $10,000 in debt cancellation to non-Pell Grant recipients. Borrowers who earn less than $125,000 per year or households earning less than $250,000 are eligible for the debt cancellation. More information will be available to borrowers in the coming weeks. To find out whether you or your family members qualify for debt cancellation, go to https://studentaid.gov/debtrelief to sign up for automated notifications.

Updated COVID Booster Shots

This week, the Food and Drug Administration approved new vaccines that take direct aim at the BA.5 variant of Omicron, which is now the dominant strain. If you've received at least two shots or it's been at least two months since your last booster, you could be eligible for the updated booster. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (C.D.C.) advisory panel is meeting tomorrow to make final recommendations whether to make these doses available. If approved, the shots could be available as soon as this weekend. For more, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/

As always, I appreciate your time and feedback. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to represent you in Congress. Please have a safe and enjoyable Labor Day weekend and thank the workers who make your lives a little better each day. If you have any issues with a federal agency, please don't hesitate to call my district office at 770-987-2291.

Sincerely,

Hank Johnson