100 Days in the 118th Congress

Dear friend, I hope you are doing well. We are 100 days into the 118th Congress. I really hit the ground running by introducing several of my signature bills. And as always, I’m using my voice to champion your needs, and in this Congress, I am doing this through a new leadership role and committee assignment. I’m just getting started, ya’ll! Legislative Work in the 118th Congress I re-introduced the School Social Workers Improving Student Success Act with my dear friend and colleague Rep. Barbara Lee. Our legislation would help increase the number of school social workers by directing the Department of Education to award grants to schools most in need of these professionals. School social workers are mental health professionals who can help us respond to the young mental health crisis. As so many of our children face mental health challenges, it is critical that students can access the services they need. Last month, we also introduced a resolution to recognize the week of March 6th as School Social Work Week. I am forever thankful to school social workers who help our students navigate a variety of issues, such as poverty and familial conflict. This resolution is a thank you to school social workers around the country for their selflessness and dedication. I was proud to join Representatives Lucy McBath, John Katko, and Young Kim in introducing legislation to reauthorize important services provided through the Family Violence Prevention Services Act, which will help ensure domestic abuse survivors and their children can access the resources when they need it, such as culturally competent programs and emergency housing.And as Congress begins to consider Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization legislation, I re-introduced my legislation which would help level the playing field, ensuring that the FAA keeps working to support the ability of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) that have historically faced barriers to compete and fairly win work on federally funded projects. This legislation would take a number of steps to help ensure the FAA is tracking how well new DBE’s win work at airports, continue to build on my work to support prompt payments of subcontractors and to urge airports to make good faith efforts to ensure DBE’s are able to win work on contracts funded using federally imposed Passenger Facility Charges, among other provisions. Too many qualified businesses are being left on the sidelines when they have the ability to do great work. I introduced a bipartisan resolution with Rep. Nancy Mace, co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth, to designate February as National Youth Leadership Month. Our resolution is one way to encourage and applaud the ability of young people, including our foster youth, who are making a difference in their communities.You all may have heard a lot about Social Security in the past few months and probably will hear more in the coming weeks, including proposals to put the program on the chopping block! I am committed to strengthening our Social Security program for years to come and continue building on its promise to help seniors age in dignity and fight poverty. In addition to helping improve the program’s long-term solvency by among other things raising the earnings cap to ensure that those at higher income levels pay their share of payroll taxes that support this program, my bill, the Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act, would increase benefits for seniors twenty years after retirement, helping those most at-risk of outliving their nest eggs. My legislation would also help low-income Americans retire with dignity by increasing the special minimum benefit and recognizing that care is work.My bill would also restore the student benefits for children of deceased, retired, or disabled workers, which will help expand access to higher education to more Americans.And given that we just passed April 18, 2023, Tax Day, I would be remiss if I didn’t share that I re-introduced the Worker and Credit Reform (aka WRCR Act). My legislation would expand and modernize the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), fighting poverty while encouraging work. My bill will allow the credit to reach workers who have previously been unable to reach its benefits, including childless workers below the age of 25 and workers above the age of 65. Additionally, the WRCR Act would expand the definition of work, making low-income students and unpaid caregivers eligible for the EITC. Maternal Health: I continue to be distressed by the troubling maternal mortality rates in our communities, especially for women of color. While bills have not yet been introduced, I am working hard to address this issue and looking forward to reintroducing my Mamas First bill and working to have several of my other maternal health proposals included in the Black Maternal Health Momnibus which is expected to be introduced in the coming weeks. I also continue to work on a maternal mental health bill. Stay tuned. AppropriationsEven though there remains a lot of uncertainty, the House has begun work on the FY 2024 funding process, and I wanted to give you an update on some of the efforts I spearheaded to try and secure critical funding increases for federal programs that are important to our community.Here you will find the 15 community project-funded requests that I submitted to the House Appropriations Committee for consideration for funding in FY 2024. This year again, I got a lot of great requests spanning housing, education, domestic violence, substance abuse, mental health, and health care which speaks to the great needs that continue in our communities. I wish I could have submitted them all!TRIO: As co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional TRIO Caucus, and a TRIO alum, I was thrilled to again lead this letter urging increased funding for this critical program that offers support to help vulnerable college students complete their higher education. Too many qualified and talented students don’t complete their education because of the challenges they face. WIC: This is such an important program that provided public health services and support, including targeted food packages to address the health and well-being of vulnerable infants, women, and children. I again spearheaded a letter, signed by over 100 of my colleagues, urging increased funding for this program in FY 2023. On a related note, earlier this year, I led colleagues in expressing support to USDA for its strong new WIC food package rule, which among other provisions, would permanently increase the cash value voucher that can be used to purchase fruits and vegetables. VAWA: I am pleased that over 100 of my colleagues joined me in pushing to increase funding for Department of Justice Programs that help respond to the scourge of domestic violence in our communities. McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Grants: I again led this letter, urging at least $3.8 billion for this critical program that helps communities combat homelessness in FY 2024. Childhood Lead Poisoning/ HUD’s Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes: I led over 30 of my colleagues in pushing for more funding for the CDC’s childhood lead poisoning program which supports efforts to identify and treat children with elevated blood lead levels. That same letter also called for increased funding for the HUD program that helps remediate lead paint-infested housing to help end the threat posed by lead paint to our children. Low Income Home Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP): Access to clean water is so critical. LIHWAP funding can be used to assist eligible households to keep from having their water cut off including by (1) paying arrears; (2) reconnecting services and covering late fees; and (3) reducing rate charges to a more affordable level. I led colleagues in urging $300 million in renewed funding for this program in FY 2024. And there are many more that I can list here but will not. Please know that I continue to advocate for pressing funding priorities in our community. Committee and Caucus Updates!This Congress, I was appointed to the Joint Economic Committee. I was so excited to be named to this prestigious committee because it builds on my ongoing work to support economic empowerment and an economy that works for ordinary people. I look forward to using this important committee assignment to uplift the needs of my constituents and build on my priorities of expanding access to good-paying jobs, housing, education, and training and supporting future generations and families with affordable childcare, eldercare, and support like the enhanced Child Tax Credit.I was named to a leadership position in the Democratic Women’s Caucus and now serve as a Communication Task Force Co-Chair with Rep. Shontel Brown. This position has already given me additional opportunities to speak on issues of equal pay and reproductive rights with the media. I am looking forward to continuing to use my voice to champion the needs of women and families.In March, I hosted a Special Order Hour on the House floor with the Democratic Women’s Caucus to honor Women’s History Month. Special Order Hours are an opportunity for members of Congress to speak on the House floor for up to one hour about topics of their own choice. Members of Congress who host special order hours can invite other Members to speak as well.Our special order hour was a wonderful presentation where I was the emcee as five Members of Congress celebrated and honored former female Members of Congress who broke barriers and were powerhouses in their own right, fighting for issues like paid family and medical leave, expanding access to affordable health care, and other critical needs. Watch here.I will keep you updated on how I am serving you in this Congress. Take care!Your friend, Gwen image widget

Dear friend, I hope you are doing well. We are 100 days into the 118^th Congress. I really hit the ground running by introducing several of my signature bills. And as always, I’m using my voice to champion your needs, and in this Congress, I am doing this through a new leadership role and committee assignment. I’m just getting started, ya’ll!

Legislative Work in the 118^th Congress

I re-introduced the School Social Workers Improving Student Success Act with my dear friend and colleague Rep. Barbara Lee. Our legislation would help increase the number of school social workers by directing the Department of Education to award grants to schools most in need of these professionals. School social workers are mental health professionals who can help us respond to the young mental health crisis. As so many of our children face mental health challenges, it is critical that students can access the services they need.
- Last month,we also introduced a resolution to recognize the week of March 6^th as School Social Work Week. I am forever thankful to school social workers who help our students navigate a variety of issues, such as poverty and familial conflict. This resolution is a thank you to school social workers around the country for their selflessness and dedication.
I was proud to join Representatives Lucy McBath, John Katko, and Young Kim in introducing legislation to reauthorize important services provided through the Family Violence Prevention Services Act, which will help ensure domestic abuse survivors and their children can access the resources when they need it, such as culturally competent programs and emergency housing.
And as Congress begins to consider Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization legislation, I re-introduced my legislation which would help level the playing field, ensuring that the FAA keeps working to support the ability of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) that have historically faced barriers to compete and fairly win work on federally funded projects. This legislation would take a number of steps to help ensure the FAA is tracking how well new DBE’s win work at airports, continue to build on my work to support prompt payments of subcontractors and to urge airports to make good faith efforts to ensure DBE’s are able to win work on contracts funded using federally imposed Passenger Facility Charges, among other provisions. Too many qualified businesses are being left on the sidelines when they have the ability to do great work.
I introduced a bipartisan resolution with Rep. Nancy Mace, co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth, to designate February as National Youth Leadership Month. Our resolution is one way to encourage and applaud the ability of young people, including our foster youth, who are making a difference in their communities.
You all may have heard a lot about Social Security in the past few months and probably will hear more in the coming weeks, including proposals to put the program on the chopping block!
- I am committed to strengthening our Social Security program for years to come and continue building on its promise to help seniors age in dignity and fight poverty. In addition to helping improve the program’s long-term solvency by among other things raising the earnings cap to ensure that those at higher income levels pay their share of payroll taxes that support this program, my bill, the Social Security Enhancement and Protection Act, would increase benefits for seniors twenty years after retirement, helping those most at-risk of outliving their nest eggs.
  - My legislation would also help low-income Americans retire with dignity by increasing the special minimum benefit and recognizing that care is work.
  - My bill would also restore the student benefits for children of deceased, retired, or disabled workers, which will help expand access to higher education to more Americans.
And given that we just passed April 18, 2023, Tax Day, I would be remiss if I didn’t share that I re-introduced the Worker and Credit Reform (aka WRCR Act).
- My legislation would expand and modernize the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), fighting poverty while encouraging work. My bill will allow the credit to reach workers who have previously been unable to reach its benefits, including childless workers below the age of 25 and workers above the age of 65. Additionally, the WRCR Act would expand the definition of work, making low-income students and unpaid caregivers eligible for the EITC.
Maternal Health: I continue to be distressed by the troubling maternal mortality rates in our communities, especially for women of color.
- While bills have not yet been introduced, I am working hard to address this issue and looking forward to reintroducing my Mamas First bill and working to have several of my other maternal health proposals included in the Black Maternal Health Momnibus which is expected to be introduced in the coming weeks. I also continue to work on a maternal mental health bill. Stay tuned.

Appropriations

Even though there remains a lot of uncertainty, the House has begun work on the FY 2024 funding process, and I wanted to give you an update on some of the efforts I spearheaded to try and secure critical funding increases for federal programs that are important to our community.

Here you will find the 15 community project-funded requests that I submitted to the House Appropriations Committee for consideration for funding in FY 2024. This year again, I got a lot of great requests spanning housing, education, domestic violence, substance abuse, mental health, and health care which speaks to the great needs that continue in our communities. I wish I could have submitted them all!
TRIO: As co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional TRIO Caucus, and a TRIO alum, I was thrilled to again lead this letter urging increased funding for this critical program that offers support to help vulnerable college students complete their higher education. Too many qualified and talented students don’t complete their education because of the challenges they face.
WIC: This is such an important program that provided public health services and support, including targeted food packages to address the health and well-being of vulnerable infants, women, and children. I again spearheaded a letter, signed by over 100 of my colleagues, urging increased funding for this program in FY 2023.
- On a related note, earlier this year, I led colleagues in expressing support to USDA for its strong new WIC food package rule, which among other provisions, would permanently increase the cash value voucher that can be used to purchase fruits and vegetables.
VAWA: I am pleased that over 100 of my colleagues joined me in pushing to increase funding for Department of Justice Programs that help respond to the scourge of domestic violence in our communities.

McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Grants: I again led this letter, urging at least $3.8 billion for this critical program that helps communities combat homelessness in FY 2024.

Childhood Lead Poisoning/ HUD’s Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes: I led over 30 of my colleagues in pushing for more funding for the CDC’s childhood lead poisoning program which supports efforts to identify and treat children with elevated blood lead levels. That same letter also called for increased funding for the HUD program that helps remediate lead paint-infested housing to help end the threat posed by lead paint to our children.

Low Income Home Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP): Access to clean water is so critical. LIHWAP funding can be used to assist eligible households to keep from having their water cut off including by (1) paying arrears; (2) reconnecting services and covering late fees; and (3) reducing rate charges to a more affordable level. I led colleagues in urging $300 million in renewed funding for this program in FY 2024.

And there are many more that I can list here but will not. Please know that I continue to advocate for pressing funding priorities in our community.

Committee and Caucus Updates!

This Congress, I was appointed to the Joint Economic Committee. I was so excited to be named to this prestigious committee because it builds on my ongoing work to support economic empowerment and an economy that works for ordinary people.
- I look forward to using this important committee assignment to uplift the needs of my constituents and build on my priorities of expanding access to good-paying jobs, housing, education, and training and supporting future generations and families with affordable childcare, eldercare, and support like the enhanced Child Tax Credit.
I was named to a leadership position in the Democratic Women’s Caucus and now serve as a Communication Task Force Co-Chair with Rep. Shontel Brown. This position has already given me additional opportunities to speak on issues of equal pay and reproductive rights with the media. I am looking forward to continuing to use my voice to champion the needs of women and families.
In March, I hosted a Special Order Hour on the House floor with the Democratic Women’s Caucus to honor Women’s History Month. Special Order Hours are an opportunity for members of Congress to speak on the House floor for up to one hour about topics of their own choice. Members of Congress who host special order hours can invite other Members to speak as well.
- Our special order hour was a wonderful presentation where I was the emcee as five Members of Congress celebrated and honored former female Members of Congress who broke barriers and were powerhouses in their own right, fighting for issues like paid family and medical leave, expanding access to affordable health care, and other critical needs. Watch here.

I will keep you updated on how I am serving you in this Congress. Take care!

Your friend,

Gwen