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July 16, 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
Child Tax Credit
As many of you know, the enhanced Child Tax Credit designated by the American Rescue Plan began going out to families yesterday, July 15th. The expanded and improved Child Tax Credit offers transformative, historic economic support to middle and working-class and low-income families struggling to make ends meet. Through several months of additional payments, the Child Tax Credit puts more money in the pockets of hardworking families so they may attain afford the necessities of life, food, childcare, shelter, and healthcare. These monthly payments will help set America’s children up for success and aid their parents as they fuel our economy while building back better their lives after the greatest economic downturn in a generation.
Roughly 39 million households, covering almost 90 percent of children in the United States – should begin seeing their monthly payments automatically starting today, with no further action required. The American Rescue Plan increased the existing Child Tax Credit to $300 a month for children under the age of six and to $250 for children between ages six and seventeen. Any American with children who filed their tax returns in 2019 or 2020, or who got their stimulus check will automatically receive this tax relief. In conjunction with these first payments, the IRS recently upgraded Child Tax Credit Update Portal to allow families to update their banking information or unenroll from advance payments. Click here to reach the Update Portal.
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.
Urgent Passport Struggles
In recent weeks, I have heard ever-increasing pleas from my constituents on their inability to renew or receive their passports. For countless Americans, a passport is more than a means for traveling; it is an essential possession necessary for their lives. The State Department has noted routine services can take up to 18 weeks from the day you submit your application to when you receive your passport and offers expedited services for a fee. Fortunately, my office has been able to assist several of our constituents who have come forward with their own passport related issues. If you are struggling with issues or concerns related to your passport, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office.
Emergency Broadband Benefit Issues
It has come to my attention that many of you are having difficulty applying the EBB credit to your current plans. While I am working to address it, I want you to be informed that as of right now this credit is temporary and will be utilized for as long as there remains funding. It is important that you understand that by changing your plan for the purposes of receiving this credit, you are at risk of being stuck with the new plan and you may not be able to receive the older plan you were on previously. It is important that you fully discuss your options with your Internet service provider before you make any changes. Additionally, as it currently stands, the legislation allows providers to apply the credit to any plan they had at the time of its passage. It is important to me that you know I am working diligently with my colleagues in congress to make this credit permanent and applicable to all plans going forward. My office is currently exploring all options to make this credit more inclusive and applicable to all plans. Please make sure to follow the newest editions of my newsletter and my social media pages for the latest on this issue.
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. 4426:
The Homeland Security for Children Act would require the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to identify and consider the needs of children when preparing for, responding to, and recovering from natural or manmade disasters. In the aftermath of tragic events such as hurricanes or other extreme weather events, children are all too often left homeless or separated from the parents. Our emergency response agencies must do more to ensure that the unique needs of children are fully appreciated and addressed during recovery efforts. To this end, the bill would require the Department of Homeland Security to consider feedback from organizations that represent the needs of children in future department strategies and policies. Furthermore, this legislation would create a new position of Children’s Technical Expert within FEMA dedicated to assessing the needs of adolescents in agency activities.
House Haiti Caucus Co-Chairs Issue Statement
As the co-chairs of the House Haiti Caucus, our central mission is to lift up the voices of the Haitian people and craft U.S. policy that puts their will and wellbeing first. We believe these priorities have grown even more important in the wake of Jovenel Moïse’s assassination one week ago. In the past week, there has been deep confusion over the succession of power in Haiti. We appreciate and share the desire to fill this power vacuum, but that desire does not outweigh the need for Haiti’s government to be representative of its people, nor does it promise long-term stability. Right now, a broad-based coalition of Haitian civil society organizations are working to forge a path out of this crisis—one that restores authentic democracy and provides for a caretaker government while creating the conditions for free and fair elections in which all of Haiti’s citizens can participate safely. This will not be quick and easy work, but it is essential if we wish to avoid a false “democracy” in which elites hash out backroom deals to win power and credible elections are impossible. The United States should support these efforts by Haitian civil society. This should include meeting with civil society representatives and resisting the urge for hasty elections without suitable conditions to ensure their success. The Haitian people have proven their desire for a safe and democratic future, and the United States must let Haitians take the lead if that future is to become a reality.
Clarke Applauds Biden Executive Order Promoting Competition In The American Economy
I applaud the Biden Administration’s decision to take executive action to promote competition throughout the U.S. economy. This action aims to lower prescription drug prices, ban or limit non-compete agreements that impede economic mobility and cracks down on Big Tech and internet service providers. Specifically, the provisions to address a lack of competition in the broadband sector and combating digital redlining practices will dramatically subvert barriers faced by historically underrepresented and marginalized communities. Additionally, I am so proud the Administration has incorporated my legislative equity agenda combating digital redlining in this executive action. Ending this type of anti-competitive practice promotes equitable access to high-quality broadband as more Americans rely on online learning and remote working more than ever before, and is a crucial step towards an economy that works for everyone.
Our priority with the child tax credit is to help our families gain a foothold into the middle class, lifting our children out of poverty and ensuring every family feels more secure and better able to deal with the burdensome expenses that face them on a weekly and monthly basis. The Child Tax Credit is a game changer and must be made permanent.
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