July 2021 Constituent Services Update
Fellow Hoosier,
Constituent services are a top priority for my office. Whether it’s help with a federal agency, tours and tickets while visiting Washington, DC or Military Academy nominations -- staff in my office is here to serve you.
I wanted to reach out today to provide an update on a few of the services we provide to Hoosiers in Indiana’s Sixth Congressional District.
Congressional App Challenge
Recently, I announced the opening of the 2021 Congressional App Challenge, including the deadline for submission.
Prospective students can click here to register and submit their app by November 1, 2021.
The deadline for students to submit applications is November 1, 2021.
The Congressional App Challenge was launched in 2016 by the House of Representatives. In the first five years of the Congressional App Challenge, the program has yielded 1134 App Challenges across 49 states. Thousands of functional apps have been created by over 25,000 students. For more information, please review the Congressional App Challenge Rulebook.
Last year, two students from Columbus North High School, Chaewon Lee and Tiffany Fu, won the Congressional App Challenge with their app titled ‘Math 4 Kids’. View their app video tutorial HERE.
Passport Services
Due to COVID-19 Pandemic, The National Passport Center, an arm of the U.S. Department of State is currently facing delays in processing applications and issuing passports.
My office can help by inquiring into your passport application and working with the National Passport Center or one of the regional Passport Agencies to ensure you receive your passport.
While we cannot guarantee you a favorable outcome, we will do our best to help you receive a fair and timely response to your problem.
We ask that you try to contact our office for assistance about 3 weeks in advance of their date of travel if at all possible.
Below are a few updates from The National Passport Center on current processing times for U.S. Passports:
(Via Travel.State.Gov)
(Via Travel.State.Gov)
Please Note: The Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. § 552a) requires that Members of Congress or their staff have written authorization before they can obtain information about an individual's case.
We must have your signature to proceed with this type of request.
Print and mail, fax, or hand deliver the document to our office. The address and fax number are on the generated page.
Tours and Tickets
Due to on-going safety precautions regarding COVID-19 some major tour sites and museums, including access to the U.S. Capitol, have suspended public visits and tours.
Visit the The Washington, DC visitor’s bureau for more resources on the latest coronavirus-related updates on attractions, museums, venues, events and more.
Currently, most of the tours we typically assist constituents with booking are indefinitely suspended. Many public sites, including the White House, have assured us that they would give us at least 30 days’ notice prior to resuming tours. Please check my website regularly for future reopening updates
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this information please contact Nick Lohr in my Washington, DC office at 202-225-3021 or Nick.Lohr@Mail.House.Gov
SBA Disaster Assistance
Indiana businesses and residents who were affected by severe storms and flooding on June 18-19, 2021 can now apply for disaster assistance loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Businesses and residents in following areas can now apply for disaster loans from the SBA: Jefferson and Monroe counties, and the adjacent counties of Brown, Clark, Greene, Jackson, Jennings, Lawrence, Morgan, Owen, Ripley, Scott and Switzerland in Indiana.
Survivors may contact the SBA’s Disaster Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 for assistance in completing their loan applications. Requests for SBA disaster loan program information may be obtained by emailing FOCE-Help@sba.gov.
To assist those affected by the disaster, the SBA has opened two Disaster Loan Outreach Centers (DLOCs) at in Monroe and Jefferson counties.
The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Sept. 7, 2021. The deadline to return economic injury applications is April 7, 2022.
While this is just a small portion of the services my Congressional Office provides, you can always visit our website at Pence.House.Gov to learn more.
I look forward to seeing you during my travels throughout Indiana's Sixth District!
- Congressman Greg Pence