Steube Holds Virtual Town Hall with Okeechobee Chamber of Commerce
OKEECHOBEE, FLA. – U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) today held a virtual town hall with the Okeechobee Chamber of Commerce to discuss COVID-19 relief, telehealth expansion, funding for Lake Okeechobee restoration projects, and more.
“Okeechobee County’s priorities like telehealth expansion, water quality issues, and public health have remained major focuses for our team, both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Steube said. “I was honored to update the Chamber this morning on what we are doing at the federal level to advance these priorities and protect our values.”
During the discussion, Steube celebrated progress in expanding telehealth opportunities for rural communities such as Okeechobee County. Last year, President Trump signed an Executive Order to expand access to many telehealth services permanently. Steube supports telehealth expansion on the state, local, and federal levels to ensure that those living in rural areas will retain access to high-quality health care who might otherwise not be able to access these services.
Steube later gave an update on the status and allotment of funding for Lake Okeechobee projects. Steube’s request for mechanical harvesting language was included in this year’s appropriation package and will reduce the amount of harmful chemicals sprayed into Lake Okeechobee to control invasive species. Last week, Steube cosponsored the Harmful Algal Bloom Essential Forecasting Act, which ensures that essential services relating to Harmful Algal Blooms receive critical federal funding during a lapse in appropriations. Steube recently joined colleagues in sending a letter to President Biden requesting $725 million for Everglades restoration, which would also support Lake Okeechobee’s quality.
Steube also addressed concerns over the crisis at the southern border. Steube reassured attendees that he is putting pressure on the Biden Administration to rectify the situation and shared that he did not support H.R. 6, legislation that would incentivize illegal border crossing.
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