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July 30, 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
CUNY Comeback Program
If you are a student within City University Systems who faced hardships from the COVID-19 pandemic, the recently announced CUNY Comeback Program will aim to alleviate some of your financial burdens through unused COVID funds. These funds will be used to wipe $125 million in student debt for 50,000 students, as well as provide emergency grants to students in need. To learn more about this transformative program, 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!
Co-Sponsored Legislation: This week, I lent my support to the following bills:
- H.R. 4736;
The Improving Access for Afghan Refugees Act would protect Afghans, such as human rights defenders, civil servants, journalists and women activists, who are particularly at risk of persecution by designating these individual as a Priority 2 group of special humanitarian concern to expedite visa processing. As conditions in Afghanistan worsen, with hundreds of woman and journalists being murdered or wounded in targeted killings, the United States must do more to protect these vulnerable populations especially as our military presence in the region is winding down. I am proud to join my colleagues in the Democratic Women’s Caucus in supporting this crucial legislation and ensure that the United States remains committed to human rights abuses both at home and abroad.
- H.R. 4770;
During the COVID-19 pandemic, we saw a vast expansion of telehealth services which allowed hospitals and other healthcare providers to deliver quality care to patients remotely. More broadly, telehealth has the potential to equalize healthcare access to underserved and marginalized communities. The Evaluating Disparities and Outcomes of Telehealth During the COVID-19 Emergency Act of 2021 would require the Department of Health and Human Services to study the impact of telehealth during the COVID_19 pandemic, specifically regarding both the Medicare and Medicaid programs. The study would collect data on the number of telehealth visits, the demographic characterizes of beneficiaries who utilized telehealth services, and geographic data on both patients and providers utilizing telehealth services. This legislation represents a crucial step in expanding access to healthcare which I continue to believe is a basic human right.
Clarks Issues Statement On Recently Introduced Safe School Drinking Water Act
Simply put, there is no safe level for lead when it comes to the health and wellbeing of our children. It is critical that we make every effort to remove lead contamination from drinking water in schools and childcare centers, which far too often are the primary pathways by which children become exposed to lead toxins. By providing schools and childcare programs with the funding needed to install filtered drinking water stations, my legislation will ensure that our children’s drinking water is healthy and safe while we simultaneously work to address the infrastructure challenges that contribute to this dangerous contamination. All children deserve to have a safe learning environment, free from lead contamination in their drinking water. This issue is a national crisis, and it deserves as much of our attention and assistance as is needed in Congress until drinking water at every single fountain within each individual school and childcare location across this nation is once again safe for our children to use. My Safe School Drinking Water Act takes us one giant step forward towards meeting this necessary goal.
Clarke Issues Statement On Letter To President Biden, Secretary Blinken, And Secretary Mayorkas On Priorities Of House Haiti And Caribbean Caucuses
As founding co-chair of both the House Caribbean and Haiti Caucuses, I have worked closely with my colleagues to insist the Administration prioritize the needs of Haiti and members of the Haitian diaspora that call America home. The signers of this letter come to DC with vastly different backgrounds and from all corners of our country. Yet, we have found common ground in our unwavering commitment to the Haitian people, their wellbeing, and an immutable desire to see a thriving Haitian democracy. Presently, Haiti is at an inflection point, and we must work together to promote peace and a Haitian-led democratic government. This letter outlines our urgent concerns and shares our collective caucus priorities regarding Haiti’s continued deteriorating situation. Our duty as Members of Congress is to uplift and support Haiti and advance policies that will promote relationships that substantively and meaningfully engage Haitian civil society in defense of Haiti’s democracy, civil rights, and liberty.
Clarke Applauds FCC Decision To Move Forward On Workforce Diversity Initiative
I look forward to restarting the collection of data from broadcasters and cable companies about the race and gender composition of their workforce. This is not a new idea, nor is it a revolutionary one. In fact, we had already begun it some decades ago but as most things causing good trouble go, we precluded from its usage thanks to a US Court of Appeals decision. For many years, despite a collective effort to amass this information, we failed to truly utilize it in a way to ensure that the broadcast and cable industries become more equitable. Thanks to the hard work of Senator Van Hollen, FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel, and myself we can now change the way address discriminatory practices through these industries. I am truly excited to see what this new change will bring and how we can revolutionize these industries to better reflect our America.
This past weekend, I joined the Reverend Al Sharpton, Mayor de Blasio, AG Tish James, Eric Adams, and many more dedicated public servants in Brooklyn for the "L’union fait la force" prayer vigil and rally for Haiti and its people. To the Members of the Haitian Diaspora; I stand with you, I hear you, and I won't stop fighting for you. We are stronger together.
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The insurrection of January 6 was a terrifying, tragic assault against America's foundational principles and a day I will remember for the rest of my life. It was only through the courageous actions of DC and Capitol Police officers our country was able to stave off this attack and defend democracy. Though that terrible day has long passed, its heroes continue to prove their patriotism through brave testimonies, such as Officer Fanone's. Their accounts will be the key to uncovering what transpired on January 6, as well as how to prevent it from ever happening again.
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