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June 6, 2020

 

Happy Saturday, central and south Brooklyn!

Thank you for all you have done to not only flatten this curve, but for your efforts to uplift and support the Black community and victims of police brutality. It breaks my heart that this is our reality, but we all know that the coronavirus pandemic is not the only pandemic that has left a stain on our communities. We are witnessing the uptick of hate crimes, racial profiling and police brutality in the Black community and I’m grateful to serve constituents who are politically engaged and who are unafraid to challenge the status quo. The outpouring of love and activism you have shown during this time of despair is remarkable. Thank you. We won’t stop fighting because Black Lives Matter.

I would like to wish the LGBTQ+ community a Happy Pride Month. Despite the unprecedented times we are living in, I must reiterate how grateful I am for the contributions of the queer and non-binary community in my district. I am proud to be from New York City, an anchor and pillar in the LGBTQ movement community, home of the historic Stonewall Rebellion that was a catalyst for change. I will continue to support you as you pour resources into our communities to educate, support and uplift others.

Happy Caribbean-American Heritage Month! As a child of Jamacian parents myself, I know first hand that Caribbean-Americans have played an integral role in our society from its very start. Your hard work and invaluable contributions to American society have not gone unappreciated, and this month we honor those achievements.  I will continue to uphold the United States’ commitment to supporting and uplifting Caribbean immigrants and maintaining strong ties with their nations of origin.

Devastatingly enough, June also marks Gun Violence Awareness Month. Gun violence plagues our communities. Just this Congress alone, I’ve cosponsored over 15 pieces of common sense gun safety legislation to keep our communities safe, whether from armed civilians or armed law enforcement officers. We must get guns off the streets, out of the iron pipeline and  out of the hands of people who shouldn’t have them. I look forward to the day that we can turn on the news and not hear about a shooting in our backyard or anywhere around America.

As my offices continue to telework, please, don’t hesitate contacting us for assistance. You can contact us Monday-Friday this week from 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. at (718) 287-1142. While many of us are teleworking, home with kids, or home as part of our most vulnerable populations, please remember the importance of the 2020 Census. Our district is one of the hardest-to-count in the country, so it is vital that everyone in our community is counted. To respond to the 2020 Census, please go to 2020census.gov. 

In good health,

Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke

Member of Congress

Congresswoman Clarke’s Legislative Updates:

  • This week, I led a press conference with my colleagues calling for the firing of NYPD Officer Vince D’Andraia and disciplinary action of his commanding officer Deputy Inspector Craig Edelman. This call-to-action occurred after D’Andraia viciously attacked and shoved Brooklynite Dounya Zayer during Brooklyn’s peaceful protests in honor of George Floyd. D’Andraia wrongfully chose violence over peace, resulting in Zayer’s hospitalization after suffering seizures and a concussion. 
    • Here is some coverage from AMNY from the press conference. 
    • NBC news reported on the officers’ suspension after I called for action. Our community in Brownsville has known the violent reputation of these officers. We must continue to demand accountability for ALL officers. One unnecessarily-violent officer is too many. Yes, just one. The violence we witnessed by Officer D’Andraia can escalate to murder and the complacency by Officer Edelman makes him culpable. As NYPD continues to investigate, I am hopeful the end result is they are fired. Police departments across the country have a lot more to do.  We must continue to apply pressure to disrupt the system. This is how we see results.
  • I spoke with Cheddar TV on the state of Black America and how police brutality has tarnished and devastated the community we love.

Led Letter to Gov. Cuomo Urging Him To Take Further Steps To Limit the Spread of COVID-19 in New York Correctional Facilities

  • I joined my colleagues in writing to Governor Cuomo to ensure incarcerated New Yorkers are protected in our healthcare system in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.

See below for a list of bills I am proud to co-sponsor in the House of Representatives as we combat police brutality and racist police terror across the nation.

H.R. 5777 – Police Accountability Act of 2020

  • This bill establishes a new criminal offense for conduct by certain state or local law enforcement officers in the line of duty that constitutes murder or manslaughter.

H.R. 5779 - Grand Jury Reform Act of 2020

  • This bill conditions a state or local government's receipt of funds under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program on the state's compliance with certain requirements following an incident involving the use of deadly force by a local law enforcement officer that results in a person's death. Specifically, the governor must appoint a special prosecutor to present evidence before a judge to determine whether probable cause exists to criminally charge the law enforcement officer. The hearing must be open to the public.

H.R. 5778 – Cooling Off Period Elimination Act

  • This bill makes a state or local law enforcement agency ineligible to receive federal funds under a Department of Justice law enforcement grant program if it has in effect a cooling-off period. A cooling-off period is a period of time following an officer-involved shooting during which investigators are prohibited from communicating with an officer involved in the shooting.

H.R. 4408 - Eric Garner Excessive Use of Force Prevention Act of 2019

  • This bill forbids the use of chokeholds by covered law enforcement officers.

H.R. 4359 – Police Exercising Absolute Care with Everyone Act of 2019

  • This bill prohibits federal law enforcement officers from using deadly force or less lethal force unless such force is necessary to prevent imminent physical harm to an officer or the public.

H.R. 4339 -  End Racial Profiling Act

  • First, the bill provides a prohibition on law enforcement racial profiling, enforceable
    by declaratory or injunctive relief. Second, the bill mandates that training on racial profiling issues as part of Federal law enforcement training, the collection of data on all routine or spontaneous investigatory activities that is to be submitted through
    a standardized form to the Department of Justice. Third, the Justice Department is authorized to provide grants for the development and implementation of best policing practices, such as early warning systems, technology integration, and other management protocols that discourage profiling. Finally, the Attorney General is required to provide periodic reports to assess the nature of any ongoing discriminatory profiling practices. 

H.R. 125 – Police Training and Independent Review Act

  • This bill provide for grants for States that require sensitivity training for law enforcement officers of that State and to incentivizes States to enact laws requiring the independent investigation and prosecution of the use of deadly force by law enforcement officers

House of Representatives Leadership Updates:

  • At this moment of immense sadness across America when our country cries out for unity, real leadership is needed.  But instead of meeting the needs of the American people, President Trump is fanning the flames of division, congratulating himself for unemployment that is worse than the darkest day of the Great Recession, and continuing to cost lives with his failure to test and trace the coronavirus.  
  • While President Trump attacks peaceful protestors and presents a tone-deaf and escalatory response that does not condemn racism and violence, House Democrats led by the Congressional Black Caucus are working on legislation to address policing and other reforms to safeguard every American’s right to equal justice.  
  • In the coming weeks, the Judiciary Committee will launch new oversight efforts and consider legislation to address the crisis of racial profiling, excessive force by law enforcement and lost trust between police departments and the communities they serve.
  • Next week, the full Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing on “Oversight on Policing Practices and Law Enforcement.” 
  • After the May Jobs report showed that Americans still face unemployment rates worse than at the bottom of the Great Recession – and almost 600,000 critical state and local government workers have lost their jobs in the last month alone – Republicans are declaring “Mission Accomplished” and telling desperate families and communities that no more help is coming.  
  • At the same time, President Trump is failing to provide the leadership needed to address the devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Last week, our nation tragically marked 100,000 American lives lost to the coronavirus, while tens of millions of Americans have lost their jobs.
  • Yet, President Trump fails to provide a national strategy to reopen the country safely, including with a testing and tracing strategy that addresses racial, ethnic and geographic disparities.  
  • He fails to provide PPE and financial support for our heroic frontline workers who risk their lives to save lives, or to help states and cities address looming budget shortfalls that threaten massive cuts in public services.  
  • And he fails to acknowledge the need to put more money in the pockets of workers and families, who are facing the worst health and economic catastrophe of our lifetimes.
  • President Trump signed House Democrats’ bipartisan legislation to strengthen and improve the PPP loans initiative.
  • The bipartisan PPP Flexibility Act reflects the needs of vulnerable small businesses on Main Street and will increase flexibility and access to PPP loans including by:
    • allowing forgiveness for expenses beyond the 8-week covered period to 24 weeks and extending the rehiring deadline;
    • increasing the current limitation on non-payroll expenses (such as rent, utility payments and mortgage interest) for loan forgiveness from 25 to 40 percent;
    • extending the program from June 30 to December 31;
    • extending loan terms from two to five years; and ensuring full access to payroll tax deferment for businesses that take PPP loans.
  • Every day, we see the need for further action to combat the coronavirus crisis.  Months into the pandemic, the numbers are devastating:
  • More than 108,000 Americans are dead – a heartbreaking number that continues to grow as the Trump Administration continues to fail to provide the testing and tracing needed to stop the deadly spread of the virus.
  • Tens of millions of Americans are out of work — with unemployment worse than the Great Recession, and key economic lifelines passed by Congress that have cushioned the blow expiring soon.
  • Nearly 600,000 layoffs in state and local government – massive job losses in critical state and local services in the last month alone, with state budgets coming due in the next few months amid crushing budget shortfalls.
  • This is no time to declare “mission accomplished” and take our foot off the gas.  The dire situation shows the urgent need for a legislative package that is equal to the crisis gripping our nation.  That is why, in May, the House passed The Heroes Act: urgently-needed legislation to protect the lives and livelihoods of the American people and the life of our democracy – responding to the pandemic and the economic catastrophe that has followed. 
  • The Heroes Act is based on our three pillars:
    • Small businesses’ economic security: strengthening the Payroll Protection Program to ensure that it reaches underserved communities, nonprofits of all sizes and types and responds flexibly to small businesses by providing $10 billion for Covid-19 emergency grants through the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program.
    • Health security: with COBRA subsidies and a special enrollment period in the ACA exchanges for those without insurance.
    • Workplace security: requiring OSHA to ensure that all workplaces develop science-based infection control plans and preventing employers from retaliating against workers who report problems.
    • Housing security: with $175 billion in new supports to assist renters and homeowners make monthly rent, mortgage and utility payments and other housing-related costs.
    • Food security: with a 15 percent increase to the maximum SNAP benefit and additional funding for nutrition programs that help families put food on the table.
    • Security of our democracy: with new resources to ensure safe elections, an accurate Census and preserve the Postal Service. 
    • Opening the economy with a science-based path of testing, tracing, treatment and social distancing: our legislation commits another $75 billion for the testing, tracing and treatment we need and helps ensure that every American can access free coronavirus treatment.
    • Providing strong support for our heroes with nearly $1 trillion for state, local, territorial and tribal governments on the frontlines who desperately need funds to pay the health care workers, police, fire, transportation, EMS, teachers and other vital workers who keep us safe and are in danger of losing their jobs.  The Heroes Act will also establish a $200 billion Heroes’ Fund to ensure that essential workers receive hazard pay.  
    • Putting money in the pockets of workers with a second round of direct payments to families up to $6,000 per household, new payroll protection measures to keep 60 million workers connected with their jobs and extending weekly $600 federal unemployment payments through next January.  We are also putting money in workers’ pockets by supporting:​
  • The American people overwhelmingly support the strong, urgent relief action included in The Heroes Act.  More than two-thirds of the American people – and 8 out of 10 Independents – support the House-passed Heroes Act, according to a new Navigator Research poll.  In a new Quinnipiac Poll, two out of three Americans say Congress should pass another coronavirus package to address the catastrophic economic impact of the pandemic on households, small businesses and communities across the country.
  • Further, new polling shows that, by a strong 3-1 margin, voters say that funding for education, health care and other public support is more important than keeping down spending and the debt.  A full 84 percent approve of The Heroes Act’s $1 trillion in support for state, local, tribal and territorial governments, while just as many fully reject McConnell’s cruel and senseless call for the states to go bankrupt.
  •  All of these elements have been supported in the four previous COVID-19 bills – all of which were bipartisan.  In the CARES 1 bill and in the interim Paycheck Protection Program bill, Leader McConnell developed and presented the Senate bills, which we then negotiated and passed.  Now the House Democrats have presented our proposal to lead to negotiation.
  • We urge the President and Leader McConnell to join us in supporting the evidence-based solutions in The Heroes Act, which reflect the needs of the American people and allocate the resources to save lives and grow the economy.  Time is of the essence, and Republicans must come to the table to help save lives and livelihoods now. 
  • America’s history of racism and racially motivated violence continues to live on through generations. It can be seen today in disproportionate rates of COVID-19 deaths, in discriminatory police enforcement of social distancing rules, in racial profiling, in the unconstitutional treatment of African Americans by law enforcement, in educational disparities and in economic inequality, among other examples.
  • There have been over 100,000 deaths in our country from COVID-19 and we know that this virus has disproportionately impacted Black people. 
  • House Judiciary Democrats sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice to demand they investigate the prosecutors involved in the case of Ahmaud Arbery and open investigations into the police departments involved with the deaths of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd.
  • Next week, the House Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing to examine the crisis of racial profiling, police brutality and lost trust between police departments and the communities they serve.
  • In the coming weeks, the House Judiciary Committee and the Congressional Black Caucus will propose legislation to address this issue.
  • The vicious acts of violence and racism towards Black people in America can no longer go on with impunity. I am committed to supporting legislation to end police brutality, racial profiling, and hold violators accountable.
  • I call on my Republican colleagues in the House and Senate to exercise moral courage and join us in this effort.
  • In the wake of high-profile applications of fatal force by police against unarmed African American men in Ferguson, Baltimore, Cleveland, and Chicago, the Justice Department investigated policing practices in those cities and uncovered rampant abuses of constitutional rights and civil liberties. During the Obama Administration, the Justice Department negotiated consent decree agreements with the police departments in all four cities. Following President Trump’s election and his appointment of Jefferson B. Sessions as Attorney General, the Justice Department abruptly changed its interpretation of its statutory role to eliminate patterns and practices of unconstitutional conduct in local police departments.

NYC & NYS Updates:

  • The Health Insurance Special Enrollment Period for uninsured New Yorkers has been extended through Monday, June 15th—with all coverage effective as of April 1st. For free enrollment assistance, call 311 or visit http://nyc.gov/GetCoveredNYC.
  • Protecting Homeless New Yorkers
    • The MTA is closing stations nightly from 1:00 AM to 5:00 AM for deep cleaning, and DHS outreach teams are engaging homeless individuals as they leave the trains. Last night, DHS engaged 269 people, and 163 accepted services. 
    • This included 148 people who went to shelters, and 15 who were brought to the hospital. 
    • This means in the last three nights, we’ve been able to get 520 New Yorkers who are homeless to come into safe havens and shelters or go to medical facilities.
  • Social Distancing in Our Parks
    • In order to best protect New Yorkers from the spread of COVID, the City will increase social distancing in parks that have been experiencing large crowds in tight spaces: we will limit capacity at Hudson River Park Piers 45 and 46 and increase NYPD presence and monitoring of Domino Park in Williamsburg.
  • Other Recent Announcements:
    • VetCheck Mental Health for Veterans: Today, the NYC Department of Veterans’ Services and the Mayor’s Office of ThriveNYC launched Mission: VetCheck. Members of the veteran community will call other veterans to check in and provide information about vital public services, including meals, COVID-19 test sites, and mental health resources. Mission: VetCheck.
    •  Antibody Testing for Health Care Workers and First Responders: NYS is launching a program next week to test 140,000 healthcare workers and first responders in hospitals, firehouses, police stations and correction facilities.
    • Antibody Testing for New Yorkers: Also launching two phase antibody testing for another 140,000 New Yorkers next week, in partnership with BioReference Labs.
    • The first survey of 70,000 will start Monday and run through late May. We’ll repeat the survey for another 140,000 in June. 
    • Antibody testing will be by appointment only, with priority for local communities. Complete this survey to schedule an appointment: Antibody Testing Appointment Survey or call 888- 279-0967. 
    • Please encourage folks to use the website, in order to keep the hotline free for those without internet access.
  • Our initial capacity will be 1,000 tests a day at each antibody testing sites:
  • Extension of Eviction Moratorium: The State announced an extension of the eviction moratorium for residential and commercial tenants facing COVID-related hardship for an additional 60 days through August 20.
    • Banned late payment fees for missed payments during moratorium and will allow renters facing hardship due to COVID-19 to use their security deposit to pay rent.
  • Additional Face Covering Distribution: We are distributing 7.5 million free face coverings.
    • Five million 3-ply non-medical masks and 2.5 million cloth face coverings will be given out at a variety of locations, including NYCHA, DOE Grab & Go sites, Parks, Mitchell-Lama buildings, grocery stores, and as part of social distancing enforcement. 
    • The map with distribution sites is available online: Face Coverings.
  • NYC Open Streets: If you know of streets in your community that could be safely closed with the staffing of community partners, please submit suggestions here. 
    • Submitting an application does not guarantee acceptance. Please submit separate applications for each corridor you are proposing to pedestrianize in your community. Email [email protected] if you have any questions.
  • GetFood: Our goal is to grow our capacity to deliver 1 million meals a day to seniors. We are seeking nonprofits to increase capacity, with a focus on culturally sensitive meals. We need support in Melrose, Washington Heights, Morris Park, Flushing, Sunset Park, and more. Please share the Request for Information here, and encourage nonprofits to visit NYC.gov/nonprofits for information.
  • NYCHA: Details about the Mayor’s 5-point plan are available here: Mayor de Blasio Announces New Plan to Combat COVID-19 at NYCHA. NYCHA has installed hand sanitizer dispensers in all 69 senior developments, and we have mailed every NYCHA household masks and gloves for every household member.
  • Grab & Go Meals for All New Yorkers: No one is turned away, and participants are able to pick up three meals. To find a location, text “NYCFOOD” or “COMIDA” to 877-877 or here: Free Meal Sites.
  • Halal Meals: Available at all 400+ grab-and-go sites. We are adding 25% capacity at 32 DOE sites during the month of Ramadan.
  • Paid Sick Leave: Direct constituents to the City’s Call Center at 855-491-2667 or 311 to facilitate claiming paid sick leave.
  • ●      Health Insurance Special Enrollment: Extended through 6/15, health insurance enrollment is open for uninsured New Yorkers as part of a Special Enrollment Period: Get Covered
  • Job Opportunities:
  • As a reminder, vulnerable New Yorkers who have symptoms or questions about COVID-19 can call 1-844-NYC-4NYC to connect with a medical provider from Health and Hospitals.

IRS Updates:

  • The Internal Revenue Service urges taxpayers to be on the lookout for a surge of calls and email phishing attempts about the Coronavirus, or COVID-19. These contacts can lead to tax-related fraud and identity theft.
  • IRS and Security Summit warn tax pros of cybercriminals taking advantage of COVID-19 to create new scams: https://go.usa.gov/xvKAW 
  • To help everyone check the status of their Economic Impact Payment, IRS has launched a tool that provides the status of a payment, including the date it’s scheduled to be deposited or mailed. www.irs.gov/eip  
  • IRS is issuing Economic Impact Payments in record time, but we understand you may have pending questions. Take a moment to check our FAQs: www.irs.gov/EIPFAQ   
  • IRSTaxTip: Be sure to know the signs of an IRS impersonating phone scam, especially during tax filing season: http://go.usa.gov/xd73W 
  • An IRS tool lets you submit your banking information online to get an Economic Impact Payment faster. If the IRS doesn’t have your direct deposit information, get it ready now and submit it as soon as the feature is launched. www.irs.gov/eip  
  • IRS is now accepting applications for the Tax Counseling for the Elderly and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance grant programs through Monday, June 1. The application packages and guidelines are available on the IRS site.  Apply today: https://go.usa.gov/xvwNe
  • IRS alerts taxpayers of scams that may pop up during the COVID-19 outbreak. Learn to recognize scams and check that your donation goes to legitimate charities: www.irs.gov/teos
  • Are you a small business owner who offers paid family and medical leave to your employees? Here’s what you need to know about the IRS employer credit for paid family and medical leave and how to claim it: https://go.usa.gov/xVwTS
  • IRS: Three new tax credits are available to many businesses hit by COVID-19. Learn more: https://go.usa.gov/xvjbp  
  • Recipients of #Veterans Affairs benefits will automatically receive Economic Impact Payments without the need to file taxes for 2018 or 2019. Date TBD. More details from IRS at www.irs.gov/coronavirus  
  • IRSTaxTip: Learn to avoid common errors when filing IRS Form 7200 for advance payment of employer credits due to COVID-19: https://go.usa.gov/xvEwa 
  • IRS reminder: Deadline extended to July 15 for those who pay estimated taxes for tax year 2020. Questions? Learn more at: www.irs.gov/covidtaxdeadlines  
  • The IRS employee retention credit encourages businesses to keep workers on the payroll. It’s a refundable tax credit for employers whose business has been financially impacted by COVID-19. Learn more: https://go.usa.gov/xvGRk  
  • The employee retention credit encourages employers to keep employees on their payroll, despite experiencing economic hardship related to COVID-19. IRS has posted FAQs to help you understand this new credit. See www.irs.gov/coronavirus  
  • Most data breaches begin with phishing scams. IRS urges you not to let your guard down: www.irs.gov/phishing
  • The employee retention credit encourages tax-exempt organizations to keep employees on their payroll, despite experiencing economic hardship related to COVID-19. IRS has information to help you understand this new credit: https://go.usa.gov/xvYqa    
  • Whether you’re filing a tax return to claim a refund or to get an extension, IRS can help you get it right. Find help at www.irs.gov/help
  • IRS Reminder: The federal income tax filing and payments deadline is now July 15, regardless of amount owed. See www.irs.gov/coronavirus  
  • U.S. citizens who work abroad also qualify for the newly extended IRS tax return filing and payment deadline of July 15. Learn more at: www.irs.gov/coronavirus  
  • IRS and Security Summit warn #TaxPros of cybercriminals taking advantage of COVID-19 to create new scams: https://go.usa.gov/xvKAW #TaxSecurity
  • IRS is issuing Economic Impact Payments in record time, but we understand you may have pending questions.  Take a moment to check our FAQs: www.irs.gov/EIPFAQ  
  • IRS has launched a tool that provides taxpayers the status of an Economic Impact Payments, including the date it’s scheduled to be deposited or mailed. www.irs.gov/eip  
  • IRS reminds you that scammers may ask you to sign your Economic Impact Payment over to them. Don’t fall for it. To learn more about coronavirus-related scams, read https://go.usa.gov/xvrf7  
  • Get My Payment FAQs:
    • If you have not received your payment within 14 days of the payment date, check Get My Payment periodically. If the IRS receives your payment back because the Post Office was unable to deliver it, we will update your payment status to “Need More Information,” at which point you will be able to enter your bank account information.
    • If you don’t provide your bank account information, the IRS will hold your Economic Impact Payment until we receive your updated address. To update your address please see:  Address changes
    • My payment was mailed weeks ago but the Post Office was unable to deliver it. What should I do? 
    • Can I have my economic impact payment sent to my prepaid debit card? 
      • Maybe. It depends on your prepaid card and whether your payment has already been scheduled.  
      • Many reloadable prepaid cards have account and routing numbers that you could provide to the IRS through the Get My Payment application or Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here tool.  
      • You would need to check with the financial institution to ensure your card can be re-used and to obtain the routing number and account number, which may be different from the card number. 
      •  If you obtained your prepaid debit card through the filing of a federal tax return, you must contact the financial institution that issued your prepaid debit card to get the correct routing number and account number. 
      • Do not use the routing number and account number shown on your copy of the tax return filed. 
      • When providing this information to the IRS, you should indicate that the account and routing number provided are for a checking account unless your financial institution indicates otherwise.

SNAP Updates:

  • Despite 36 million-plus jobless claims, unemployment projected to hit 25% by July, and food bank lines miles long, the Trump USDA is proceeding with its unconscionable crackdown on SNAP work rules. 
  • In the Heroes Act, House Democrats provide a 15% increase in SNAP benefits, and $300 million for states to meet the needs of new SNAP enrollments. Meanwhile the ideologues at the Trump USDA are moving ahead with their cuts to SNAP. 
  • Congress overwhelmingly and historically voted against the Trump USDA’s SNAP policies in the 2018 Farm Bill. #HandsOffSNAP
  • Hungry families have told @USDA, through tens of thousands of public comments, this rule would cut life-saving nutrition assistance even before the pandemic. Now that need threatens millions more families and USDA is ignoring them. 
  • Before the pandemic, USDA’s cruel crackdown on SNAP work rules would have kicked nearly a million beneficiaries off the program. Now as millions \1ct;more Americans have lost their jobs, the Trump USDA wants to take their SNAP benefits too. #HandsOffSNAP
  • During a time of unprecedented need, President Trump wants to kick millions off SNAP by imposing stricter work requirements and putting bureaucratic barriers between hungry Americans and the help they need. 
  • Before the pandemic, the Trump USDA argued the economy was strong enough to get SNAP beneficiaries back to work. Now, with the pandemic taking a brutal economic toll, USDA is proceeding with its crackdown on work rules anyway. #HandsOffSNAP
  • Demand at food banks is up 70 percent nationwide—and as much as 600 percent in some places—but the Trump USDA continues to try to cut SNAP, which makes the problem even worse. #HandsOffSNAP
  • 40 percent of low-income American workers lost their jobs in March. They need support, but the Trump USDA wants to cut SNAP through stricter work crackdowns instead. 
  • Across the country, inventory at food banks is down and many are short on volunteers. Despite that, the Trump USDA continues their efforts to cut SNAP. 

 

Washington, D.C. Office
2058 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone: (202) 225-6231

Brooklyn Office
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Phone: (718) 287-1142

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