FreedomWorks is proud to honor Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) as our member of the month for May 2020. Representing Louisiana’s 4th Congressional District in the northwestern region of the state, Rep. Johnson has shown a strong commitment throughout his tenure in Congress to advancing conservative policies and defending liberty. Especially in his role as Chairman of the Republican Study Committee, Rep. Johnson has shown exceptional leadership and willingness to stand up to the status quo in Washington with real, conservative policy solutions.

As states begin to reopen across America, starting with Georgia and Texas, there are many rumors out there that it is unsafe to do so. Quite to the contrary. Equip yourself to push back with some myth vs. fact:

Even if judging only by the sheer number of #ReopenAmerica rallies that were held in state capitals across the country last week, it is clear that Americans have been so devastated by government responses to coronavirus that such “cures” are shaping up to be worse than the very virus itself. Whether politicians like it or not, Americans want to reopen society in some way, even though there is still a threat from coronavirus. The question is not whether to reopen, but when and how to reopen to allow our nation to continue on, while living with coronavirus.

It is evident that the implementation of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act has been far from smooth at best to devastating at worst. Throughout the past few weeks, as the law has gone into effect, many provisions have sparked serious debate over the incentives they create for the private sector, the efficacy of various programs, and the equal application of loans and grants across America.

This week has marked a significant turning point in American attitudes regarding the coronavirus crisis and, more significantly, the stay-at-home orders that have swept our nation and devastated our economy. Such orders have mandated certain activities -- often under threat of criminal penalty -- and required closure of businesses deemed “nonessential” by various government officials.

As we are approaching nearly a full month of Americans living life under a new reality as we fight coronavirus here and around the globe, there is a need now more than ever for individuals to come together to support their neighbors. Thankfully, amidst unsettling and uncertain news stories about what the future may hold with regard to the virus, the economy, and the overall way of life we have come to be accustomed to, there are stories aplenty of exactly the behavior that helps to inspire all of us to #LoveAmerica in our daily lives.

FreedomWorks is proud to announce that our bill of the month for April 2020 is the bill to correct the Elderly Home Detention Pilot Program, H.R. 4018. This bipartisan bill, cosponsored by Republican Reps. Doug Collins (R-Ga.), Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), and Greg Murphy (R-N.C.), alongside lead Democrat sponsor Rep. Ted Deutch (D-Fla.), would fix a technical issue related to the Elderly Home Detention Pilot Program that was created under the First Step Act, namely by including good time credits in the calculation for early transfer into home confinement for elderly, nonviolent, low-risk inmates. This is especially critical during the COVID-19 crisis.

This week, both Virginia Governor Ralph Northam (D) and North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper (D) announced statewide executive orders for their states regarding policy and practice as our nation deals with the novel coronavirus. Each governor made different calls for their states’ schools, with Virginia closing all K-12 schools for the remainder of the year and North Carolina extending its public school closure through May 15. Both states limited gathering sizes and mandated the closure of nonessential retail businesses.