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September 24, 2021
To the Good People of New York’s 9th Congressional District,
I hope this edition of the Yvette Gazette finds you well, and I thank you for tuning in to hear from me on the work I have done in Congress. 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
Updated COVID-19 Safety Measures for Our Students
Recently, the New York City Department of Education announced two critical changes to our public schools' COVID-19 policies that every parent should be aware of: First and foremost, testing for the virus will increase from biweekly to weekly and will continue to take place for 10% of unvaccinated students in grades 1 – 12. Secondly, starting Monday, September 27, one positive case in a classroom will no longer warrant the entire classroom being closed. For more information about these changes, visit the NYC DoE website here.
Business Recovery Center Reopening
This upcoming Saturday, September 25, a special opening of the Business Recovery Center in Kings County will take place from 9 AM to 5 PM to help those affected by the remnants of Hurricane Ida. This center is located at the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, 253 – 36th St.,
Suite C58, 4th Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11232; if you are a business owner struggling from the recent disaster, I urge you make use of this special opening.
Upcoming Community Health Fair
Tax Relief for Victims of Hurricane Ida
The IRS recently announced individuals, households, and businesses affected by the remnants of Hurricane Ida in Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Queens, Richmond, Suffolk, Sullivan and Westchester counties now may qualify for tax relief in the form of an extension to file their taxes until January 3, 2022. To learn more about this extension and if you qualify, please read the IRS's full release here.
Excelsior Pass Plus App
New York's recently launched Excelsior Pass Plus app contains a secure, digital record of your COVID-19 vaccination history. With information such as vaccine type, site, and date of vaccination, the app provides New Yorkers with the an easy to use means of accessing their records whenever needed. Learn more about the Excelsior Pass Plus and Excelsior Pass here.
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.
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 and commitment to the following bills:
- H.R. 5307 H.R. 5307, the Keeping Renters Safe Act of 2021, would establish a congressionally authorized national eviction moratorium in response to the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down President Biden’s initial moratorium. This bill would clarify that the Secretary of Health and Human Services has the authority to implement an eviction moratorium in the interest of public health. Housing is a human right, and I am proud to ensure that this right is upheld as our country continues the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
CLARKE CALLS FOR THE IMMEDIATE HALTING OF HAITIAN REPATRIATION FLIGHTS AND RE-EMPHASIZES THE NEED FOR A COMPREHENSIVE PATHWAY TO CITIZENSHIP
More than 14,000 Haitians will be expelled from the United States in the coming weeks, and it is unconscionable DHS would seek to return Haitian migrants to a country in turmoil. My colleagues and I have repeatedly spoken out and penned numerous letters requesting the ceasing of targeted deportations of Haitian migrants. However, this dangerous and wholly unnecessary practice continues. Haiti is still reeling from a series of compounding crises: rising coronavirus rates and vaccine hesitancy, a political crisis stemming from President Jovenel Moïse’s assassination, increased gang violence, a 7.2-magnitude earthquake where more than 800,000 people have been affected and 650,000 are still in need of emergency humanitarian assistance, a tropical depression leaving almost 2,000 dead, and thousands without shelter. I am calling for a humanitarian moratorium on these targeted deportations. Now, more than ever, we must reimagine the immigration system in a humane, just, and fair manner. I am the daughter of immigrant parents from Jamaica and this is personal to me. I have dedicated my career to building an immigration system that lets people live without fear and gives immigrants – like my parents – who sought a better life and to contribute to our nation, a fair opportunity to thrive. Additionally — despite the decision of the Senate parliamentarian to exclude the proposal to create pathways to citizenship for Dreamers, TPS holders, farm-workers, and essential workers in the reconciliation process — we remain committed to advancing alternative proposals for comprehensive immigration reform. Let me be very clear; we’ve prepared for this, and we have a plan. Immigration reform isn’t just about mundane policy changes and politics-as-usual; it is about people. It is about our families, friends, and neighbors who have contributed to our country for decades. Opening the door to citizenship would not only provide a necessary measure of justice, but it will also serve as a powerful injection of energy and vigor into our economic recovery.
CLARKE AND PRESSLEY, CO-CHAIRS OF THE HOUSE HAITI CAUCUS, ISSUE STATEMENT ON THE RESIGNATION OF THE SPECIAL ENVOY TO HAITI
We are deeply troubled after reading Special Envoy to Haiti Ambassador Daniel Foote’s resignation letter and share Ambassador Foote’s concern regarding the inhumane and counterproductive decisions to deport Haitian refugees at our southern border. The Haitian state is still reeling from a series of compounding and emergent crises. It is unconscionable the Administration would choose to deport refugees to Haiti in its current capacity, and it must immediately reverse course and halt these cruel deportations indefinitely. In addition, it is disappointing Ambassador Foote’s celebrated experience within the Haitian civil society was not appreciated, and his wealth of knowledge will not continue to be available to Haiti. It is our hope the Administration will consult members of the Haitian civil society, and members of Congress before appointing Ambassador Foote’s successor. Our efforts to support a Haitian-led democratic government’s stabilization and reemergence is paramount. America can not continue on the path of inadequate political interventions in Haiti. We must reimagine our approach and policies to supporting our Haitian neighbors.
CLARKE ANNOUNCES POSITION ON DUAL-TRACK PROCESS TO ADVANCE THE BUILD BACK BETTER ACT AND THE BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN
Enough is enough. I cannot in good conscience support this “bipartisan” infrastructure deal – which seems to lack any meaningful Republican support in the House – without assurances the Build Back Better Act will become law and not watered down by special interests seeking to maintain a status quo. A status that has marginalized far too many Americans on our road to recovery. While passing bipartisan legislation is an increasingly rare accomplishment in today’s hyperpartisan landscape, bipartisanship just for the sake of bipartisanship is precisely the kind of “only in DC,” self-congratulatory political theater that allows the inequities of the past to persist to this day; the BIF alone falls far short of what we need to build a more equitable and inclusive society. We are supposed to be here to work on policy not win press conferences. In recent days, forces both internal and external have sought to apply pressure to Democratic Leadership as they lead us down the dual-track process for the BIF and the reconciliation package laid out by Speaker Pelosi months ago. But let me be very clear: any effort to discontinue, delay, or dilute the transformative potential of the Build Back Better Act by compromising on a number of key provisions will not go unnoticed or unanswered.
CONGRESSWOMAN YVETTE D. CLARKE ISSUES COMMENT ON FCC BROADCAST OWNERSHIP REPORT
The FCC’s 5th report on the ownership of broadcast stations sadly confirms commercial broadcast stations are overwhelmingly owned and operated by white males. This disparity in ownership rates is beyond concerning. Although the data shows slight improvements in majority ownership by African Americans, the percentage of ownership still stands at less than 1%, or 18 stations out of 1,369, compared with 76% for white individuals. Additionally, women held a majority ownership interest in only 8% of commercial broadcast stations compared with 65% for males. The FCC must take immediate action to address this stark inequity. I am proud to support the Expanding Broadcast Opportunities Act of 2021, introduced by my colleague Congressman Butterfield, which would reestablish the FCC’s Minority Tax Certificate Program. Such a step will increase the diversity of new entrants throughout commercial broadcast markets and promote an assortment of lived experiences that reflect the racial, ethnic, and gender diversity of the communities they serve. Our commitment to diversity must be rooted in establishing concrete and adequately funded tax programs and other financial incentives in the 21st century that promote diversity and inclusion at all levels of the broadcast industry.
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