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June 25, 2021
To the Good People of New York’s 9th Congressional District,
I hope this edition of the Yvette Gazette finds you well. Always remember, I cannot do it alone. Through the support of passionate individuals such as yourself, we bring tangible, meaningful change to our district.
To reach out to my office, send us an email at clarke.house.gov/contact/email/. If you’d like to call, you can reach my D.C. office at 202-225-6231 or my Brooklyn office at 718-287-1142. Remember to encourage your neighbors to sign up for this newsletter at clarke.house.gov/contact/newsletter/.
If you’d like daily updates on my work in Congress, visit my website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages. I wish you well, and I look forward to my next opportunity to get in touch with you.
Regards,
Yvette D. Clarke
Member of Congress
New York's Emergency Rental Assistance Program
New York State's Emergency Rental Assistance Program is now open to applicants.
For low and moderate-income households facing instability with their housing, this program will provide invaluable aid in the form of rental arrears, temporary rental assistance and utility arrears assistance. For more information, and to apply, click here.
Reach Out if You Need Help
This past week, a constituent of New York’s 9th District approached my office with a serious and urgent issue; His rightfully owed Social Security funds, totaling several thousands of dollars, were being withheld for seemingly no reason. Social Security is a necessary, indispensable service, but only when it works as intended. For this constituent, it was not working. Fortunately, my office was able to contact the agency directly and secure his deserved money in a matter of days. If you ever find yourself held up by nonsensical red tape, do not hesitate to reach out to my office. We’ll always do what we can to bring you what you’ve earned.
Emergency Broadband Benefit
The FCC’s Emergency Broadband Benefit is a program designed to deliver disadvantaged families and households internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. In our modern society, access to quality internet service is essential in staying connected to healthcare services, job listings, school, and a multitude of other services. Learn if you are eligible for this program and how to apply here.
Getting Vaccinated
To overcome the COVID-19 virus once and for all, it will take as many of us as possible to do our part and get vaccinated. If you haven’t received your COVID-19 vaccine but are interested in doing so, and New Yorkers ages 12 years and older can receive their vaccine at select sites across our city found here. If you’d like to make an appointment to get vaccinated, please click here to find a location that best suits you. For New Yorkers who are ages 75 and older, an in-home vaccination appointment can be made here, or by calling 1-877-VAX-4-NYC. We are so close to the finish line; let’s cross it together!
Sponsored Legislation: This week, I introduced the following bill to the House of Representatives;
- H.R. 4114:
Despite allergies being the 6th leading cause of chronic illness in the United States, affecting more than 50 million Americans each year, individuals still face several barriers to comprehensive diagnostic treatment. Without a proper diagnosis, patients with severe allergies are likely to receive suboptimal care which can lead to serious asthma attacks, anaphylactic shock, and other health problems later in life. Health care is a human right, and I am proud to champion this legislation that will expand access to allergy diagnosis and preventative testing. To see my full thoughts on this legislation, read my complete statement further down in this newsletter.
- H.R. 4124:
My bill, the National Biomedical Research Act, would provide the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with $100 billion in supplemental funding for biomedical research over the next 10 years. Years of federally funded research at the NIH underpinned the mRNA technology that produced the COVID-19 vaccines in record time. Our strong commitment to biomedical research should not weaken now that our recovery from the pandemic is in full force. As a nation, we must continue to proactively invest in scientific research and development that will protect and secure American families. To see my full thoughts on this legislation, read my complete statement further down in this newsletter.
Co-Sponsored Legislation: This week, I lent my support and commitment to the following bills:
- H.R. 3929:
Although, under federal law, convicted felons are prohibited from purchasing or possessing a firearm, very few states ban the sale of firearms to individuals convicted of misdemeanor hate crimes. The Disarm Hate Act would close this loophole by preventing individuals convicted of assaulting someone based on their race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation from purchasing a gun. Convicted hate criminals should not have access to or legally own weapons that they could use to incite and commit additional acts of bigoted violence. I am proud to support this legislation that seeks to reduce gun violence and protect at risk communities from acts of hatred.
- H.R.3968:
Over the last decade, more than two dozen cities and localities within the United States have created municipal identification programs that provide young people, homeless residents, immigrants, and senior citizens with free forms of identification. However, several financial institutions, most notably banks, have been hesitant to accept municipal forms of identification which limits members of underserved populations’ access to bank accounts. The Municipal IDs Acceptance Act would require federal financial regulators, such as the Governors of the Federal Reserve and the Treasury Department, to update customer identification regulations to accept IDs issued by cities and towns. I am proud to support this legislation to ensure that one’s socioeconomic background does not dictate their ability to access basic and vital financial services.
- H.R. 4108:
Every child deserves a healthy and nutritious meal to fuel them through the school day. The Healthy Future Students and Earth Pilot Program Act would create a federally administered grant program for school district to support healthier and climate friendly plant-based meal options for students. The funds would support training school foodservice operators and cover procurement costs for plant-based sources of protein, prioritizing local and socially disadvantaged producers. At a time where obesity is affecting 1 in 5 adolescents across the country, I am proud to support this legislation that will deliver a healthier future for our children.
- H.R. 4118:
The Break the Cycle of Violence Act would provide federal grants to eligible communities for violence prevention programs designed to interrupt cycles of violence. In urban environments, homicide rates are nearly twenty times higher than the national average, a staggering statistic that disproportionately threatens people of color. Gun violence and violent crime are on the rise in our nation’s cities which leave vulnerable communities traumatized and unable to provide opportunities for growth for its youth. H.R. 4118 is a comprehensive piece of legislation that would provide struggling communities with the tools and resources they need to break dangerous and debilitating cycles of violence. I am proud to support this legislation to keep our cities safe.
- H.R. 4158:
In addition to being a devastating and debilitating disease, diabetes also entails expensive medical bills and skyrocketing insulin prices. The Insulin Access for All Act would eliminate the cost sharing requirement for insulin under Medicare and Medicaid, ensuring that Americans with diabetes can live longer, more active, and productive lives. Cost should not be a barrier to vital treatments, and no one should risk their health and livelihood by rationing their insulin. H.R. 4158 is one of several bills I support to guarantee every American the health care and life-sustaining treatment they need.
Clarke issues statement on the passage of H.R. 256 to repeal the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002.
I would like to thank Congresswoman Barbara Lee of California for her courage and leadership in championing this critical issue. Two decades after casting the single “no” vote against the 2001 Authorization for the Use of Military Force, we have seen every administration since utilize the 2001 and 2002 AUMFs to conduct war far beyond the scope Congress ever intended. Let me be very clear: the AUMF of 2002 has been overwhelmingly abused, and its repeal is long overdue. H.R. 256 presents Congress with the opportunity to reassert our Constitutional authority on matters of war and peace — under the constitution — that we have for too long allowed to be abused by the Executive branch. However, our work is not done. This effort extends beyond repealing the 2002 AUMF – we must also work to repeal the overly broad 2001 AUMF so that no future president has the unilateral power to plunge us into endless wars.
Clarke issues statement on Reintroducing the National Biomedical Research Act
I am proud to partner with Senator Warren to reintroduce the National Biomedical Research Act. This legislation would provide researchers with the vital resources they need to continue diagnosing, treating, and preventing a myriad of diseases – many of which disproportionately impact communities of color. We must always remember sufficiently funding medical research is paramount to the health and safety of the American public. Re-establishing our commitment to supporting scientists and doctors dramatically improves their ability to safeguard our communities against the devastating effects of health care disparities. Let me be clear: this legislation is an opportunity to protect American families proactively, and I believe it is incumbent on us, as members of Congress, to ensure it happens.
Clarke issues statement on Introducing the Removing Barriers to Allergy Diagnostic Testing Act
Unfortunately, there is still a myriad of barriers to accessing competent and comprehensive health care in the wealthiest nation on the planet. If the past year has taught us nothing, it has taught us health care is a human right. That is why I’m so proud to join my colleagues in introducing the Removing Barriers to Allergy Diagnostic Testing Act of 2021. We must address the glaring barriers to competent allergy diagnostic health care impacting millions of Americans — with a particularly devastating presence in communities of color — immediately. The Removing Barriers to Allergy Diagnostic Testing Act will do that and more. I look forward to this legislation saving and improving the lives of millions of Americans.
As many of you know, at the intersection of Bedford and Church Avenues exists a centuries old cemetery for enslaved African-American peoples. This tragic reminder of America’s darkest sins cannot be forgotten, nor its significance relegated. For these reasons, the good people of our community have come together to identify the best path possible moving forward to commemorate and observe the individuals who eternally rest there, while also ensuring the land is used for a noble cause, such as public housing. Discussions for exactly how to accomplish both these goals are ongoing, so if you have thoughts on the future of the intersection of Bedford and Church Avenues, make your voice heard. The Flatbush African Burial Ground Remembrance and Redevelopment Task Force is holding a workshop on Wednesday, June 30th at 6pm, to allow the people of Brooklyn to have a say in the matter. You can register for that event here, or view previous discussions from the Task Force here. If you cannot attend the workshop, feel free to fill out a questionnaire with your opinions here.
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Yesterday, I joined with my colleagues in Congress to introduce the Break the Cycle of Violence Act. American communities throughout this country are suffering at the hands of gun violence. This is not an issue that will resolve itself. It will require comprehensive legislative efforts and a willingness to take action for a cause we know to be right. If we join together, we can end gun violence in American once and for all.
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