Hurricane season is here: Are you ready?

July 12, 2021

Friends,

The recent Independence Day holiday is time for us to honor the founding of our country and all those who have served and sacrificed for our freedoms. It also signals the peak of the summer season.

Each year around this time, Washington, D.C. is usually full of schoolchildren, families and tourists. While many attractions and venues were closed last year due to the pandemic, this year I have been encouraged that businesses are opening, concert and theatre venues are beginning to bring life to our communities, and restaurants are serving again. Unfortunately, however, our nation's Capitol – a symbol of our democracy and the freedoms we enjoy as Americans – remains closed to the public.

Last week, it was reported that fencing around the Capitol will finally be removed in coming days. However, the Capitol's closure to the public is now the longest in our nation's history. I am frustrated that especially during this summer season, many of you and your families still cannot visit our Capitol, even as restaurants, bars and even museums are reopening.

Not only is a visit to the Capitol an important way to learn about our country's history and government, it's also a great opportunity for me to meet with many of you and hear directly from constituents. While we must continue commonsense protective measures to ensure everyone's safety, I believe it is past time to allow visitors back into our Capitol. Congress must also return to normal operating business with in-person committee hearings and votes. Our country is returning to normal and Congress should be leading the way, not bringing up the rear.

In addition to pushing to open our Capitol this summer, this is also an important time to prepare for hurricane season, which runs from June 1 – Nov. 30.

Last week, Tropical Storm Elsa impacted our region, serving as an unwelcome reminder of the threats of severe weather. Our community and state are no strangers to hurricanes, but I want to ensure you are well prepared to keep your family safe.

You can visit my website at Hudson.house.gov/hurricane-preparedness for helpful tips and resources from our state and counties. These include links to:

As always, my office stands ready to assist you with anything you and your family need to ensure we are properly prepared for storms and able to respond to any damage following severe weather events.

Please continue to stay safe and listen to local authorities when it comes to storms and hurricanes. And as always, please continue to reach out and share your insights, perspectives, and thoughts. I will always seek bipartisan solutions to the issues we are facing at home and around our country, and will never stop working on behalf of you and your family.

Until next week,

Richard Hudson

Member of Congress