August 10, 2020

To the Good People of New York’s Ninth Congressional District,

Thank you all for continuing to do your part to stop the spread of the coronavirus. This week, new coronavirus cases in our city remained low, while hospitalizations and deaths continue to decline.

However, this progress can only continue if we remain vigilant. As we have seen across the country, this virus remains with us and poses a serious threat to public health. Handwashing, mask-wearing and social distancing are critical to ensuring that the current trends in our city hold.

Additonally, it is essential that we keep in mind the simultaneous danger that exists from the scorching summer heat. Temperatures today are expected to be in the 90s. 

To combat this, the city is operating socially-distant cooling centers, and offering a Cooling Assistance benefit on a first come, first-served basis. This program will until August 30, 2020 for eligible applicants. This benefit provides for up to $800 for installation of an air conditioner or fan. 

You may be eligible for a Cooling Assistance benefit if:

• You have a medical condition that gets worse with heat, which you can verify with a letter from a medical professional
• You and the people you live with are US citizens or have satisfactory immigration status
• You don’t have a working air conditioner that is newer than five years
• You do not live in subsidized housing, such as NYCHA and Section 8, where heating costs are included in the rent bill
• You receive SNAP benefits, Temporary Assistance, or Code A Supplemental Security Income.

Applications for the benefit can be found here.

Lastly, I would be remiss not to mention that this week marked Jamaica’s 58th Independence Day. In these trying times, it’s a relief to have something to celebrate, let alone an occasion as joyous as Independence Day.

Regards,

Yvette D. Clarke

Member of Congress

LEGISLATIVE HIGHLIGHTS:

Friday, July 31, 2020

• Last Friday, I released a statement regarding private companies’ use of cell phone location data to track Americans at their places of worship and at Black Lives Matter protests, urging the Federal Trade Commission to investigate these practices. 

Committee on Energy and Commerce
Tuesday, July 28, 2020

• In Tuesday’s hearing, I spoke about the need for nationwide standards on clean drinking water to protect the most vulnerable among us. Too many low-income and minority communities live without reliable clean drinking water. In a country as wealthy as ours, this is unacceptable. 

IN THE DISTRICT:
Tuesday, July 28, 2020

• This week, I took part in the ‘Brownsville Mandate: Reimagining Policing in Our Community’ town hall. We had a wide-ranging discussion on the role of police, and how we can build on the protests we’ve seen in our city over the last two months. I am grateful to the community organizations that were present at the meeting and pledge to continue to support you as you push for change on the ground.

Thursday, August 6, 2020

• To celebrate Jamaica’s 58th Independence Day, I was honored to join with Consul General Alsion Wilson at Brooklyn Borough Hall to raise the Jamaican flag. Brooklyn is a borough of immigrants, and the Jamaican community has played a major role in shaping the history of Brooklyn.

• I spoke at Woodhull Hospital this week, with Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, to raise awareness regarding Black maternal health and about the work we are doing to implement changes to the unacceptable status quo in Black Women’s health.

CONSTITUENT CORNER:

If you know someone who deserves to be nominated, submit answers to the following questions to [email protected]

1. Who would you like to nominate? 
2. What is their position? 
3. What type of essential worker? This includes any person such as, but is certainly not limited to: Medical, Hospital custodian/sanitation, Nursing, NS81, Service aide, Respiratory therapy, Housekeeper, Environmental services, Security screening, PICU, Transporter, CCU, Storeroom helper, Laundry worker, Deli worker, Uber/Lyft driver or delivery person, Grocery store worker, Food or restaurant worker, etc.
4. How has this person been influential in your life during the COVID-19 Pandemic?

• BK Reader: Family of Sha-Asia Semple Cry Out for Justice After Daughter’s Death at Brooklyn Hospital
• Wall Street Journal: Lawmakers Urge FTC Probe of Mobile Ad Industry’s Tracking of Consumers
• Jamaica Observer: Trump under fire for plan to end protection for Caribbean ‘Dreamers’
• Caribbean Life: Clarke rips Trump’s effort to end protections for ‘Dreamers’
• Well + Good: New Bills Introduced in Congress Today Aim To Finally Fund Uterine Fibroids Research

In the wealthiest nation in the world, there is no reason that receiving high-quality, affordable healthcare should be a challenge. Medicare and Medicaid were the first steps towards making this a reality. We must move forward and make Medicare for All the law of the land.

Uterine fibroids is a serious issue that affects the lives of many women, especially Black women like myself. Too many women suffer in silence, and I am proud to have Senator Kamala Harris as an ally in this fight.

This administration’s continued attacks on Dreamers are cruel and cannot stand. Dreamers are Americans, plain and simple, and this latest attack is an affront to our values.

USPS is an essential service. This administration’s continued attempts to undermine mail-in voting are reckless and criminal. I will continue to advocate on behalf of funding for the postal service to protect this vital institution.

For years, the NRA has stymied gun control and gun violence prevention at every turn. It is time they faced accountability for their legacy of fraud and illegal conduct.

This year marks 58 years of Jamaican independence! Shoutout to all of my Jamaican brothers and sisters from the district and across the diaspora.

Unsubscribe