It’s been awhile since I wanted to thank a member of Congress. I imagine that I’m like many Americans, tired of this “august body” ignoring what Americans say they want or need. I haven’t seen a poll that says Americans want forever wars and government corruption. But recently, Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson, Chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, held a significant hearing. On July 15th he convened “Voices of the Vaccine Injured.” The purpose was to give voice to those whose lives are devastated by vaccine injuries and deaths, as well as fatal diseases that vaccines were intended to prevent. I listened to most of the testimony and for a change there was respectful discussion.
Below is a sample of the some of the victims’ testimony:
- Emily Tarsell is a retired psychotherapist and former president of the Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors of Maryland. Tarsell talked about her daughter, Christina, who died following a Gardasil vaccination.
- Dr. Robert Sullivan is a licensed physician and board certified anesthesiologist with over 20 years of active practice in Maryland. Dr. Sullivan described his vaccine injury following a COVID-19 injection.
- Krystle Cordingley is a public scientist with over 20 years of experience in the medical field. Cordingley’s son, Corbyn, died following a quadrivalent flu vaccination.
Following the hearing
In early August, HHS Secretary Kennedy announced major changes to two different laws related to vaccine injuries. Whatever you think about the vaccine schedule or your personal decision to get vaccinated, if you were injured and sought compensation – good luck!
The Two Vaccine Laws
#1 The pandemic law, which governs the covid vaccines, is called the PREP Act and applies only to treatments authorized in emergencies (“EUA”).
#2 The older law was passed by Congress in 1986 and is called The Childhood Vaccination Act. Under that law, people injured by any vaccines on the Act’s schedule can “sue” for compensation in the “court” of HHS.
As a side note, according to those who have seen it, the conference room is decorated to look like a courtroom, however, the “judges” wearing robes are really HHS employees hired to handle the cases. Too many claims make the vaccine maker and HHS look bad and might result in taking the vaccine off the market. The biggest conflict, however, is that the program requires applicants to litigate against government attorneys, who have unlimited legal budgets. And finally, vaccine manufacturers are off the hook since the government pays the victims.
It’s been shown that the HHS “judges” dismiss half of injury cases. While the VICP Act requires that awards be paid “quickly and fairly,” cases not dismissed take between five and ten years to resolve. Even when injured claimants finally win, the government further delays paying the claim. The entire process has been stacked against vaccine-injured people.
Finally, Good News
“I will not allow the VICP to continue to ignore its mandate and fail its mission to quickly and fairly compensate vaccine-injured individuals,” Secretary Kennedy announced. According several sources, Kennedy plans to fix the VICP court first, followed by the covid PREP Act cases, folding them back into the new-and-improved compensation program. “We’re looking at ways to enlarge the (VICP) program so that Covid vaccine-injured people can be compensated.”
While ending vaccine liability protection for the manufacturers would change the “injury landscape” completely and result in fully tested, safer products. The injured have waited far too long for compensation due to vaccine injury and sometimes death.
Thank You, Senator Johnson
Ron Johnson isn’t my senator but in reality, all one hundred senators are supposed to be working hard to listen to “we the people” and create laws and policies to meet the needs of ordinary Americans. I wanted to thank him for his tireless work on repairing our broken healthcare system. Because I’ve never written to a senator before, I looked for a guide and here’s what I found online: “Do not try to write to representatives and senators who do not represent you. It is a waste of effort. They have filters that automatically delete your emails.” Contrary to this advice I wrote a personal letter and quickly received an email reply from the Senator. His email began “Thank you for taking the time to write to me…”
The Basic Elements of a Thank You Letter For Congressional Members
- To express gratitude, craft a sincere and specific thank-you message, whether it’s a letter, email, or social media post, highlighting their efforts and the impact they’ve had.
- Be Respectful: Address them formally (e.g., “Dear Senator/Representative [Last Name]”).
- Focus on Policy: Express your appreciation for their work on a specific issue or legislation. Each message is typically routed within the Congressional office to a staffer who handles a specific public policy portfolio.
- Use Clear Language: State your position on the issue and why you appreciate their stance.
- Consider the Timing: Send your message after a meeting, a vote, or a significant event related to the issue.
The Letter
- In the first paragraph, explain your reason for writing. Briefly describe your credentials, and include other pertinent information. As necessary, note that these are your own views rather than those of your employer.
- In the second paragraph, describe the importance of the issue. Cite relevant facts and avoid emotionalism. Frame your discussion from a national, rather than a personal, perspective.
- In the third and concluding paragraph, request (do not demand) a specific action. Thank the Member for his or her consideration of your views. Cite a specific bill when possible.
- Ensure that your letter includes your name, address, and telephone number.
Correct address styles
- The Honorable (Representative’s name)
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
OR
- The Honorable (Senator’s name)
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20501
How to Reach Your Members of Congress
Photo credit: Typewriter – wilhelm-gunkel.