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October 15th, 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
Relief for Landlords
Governor Hochul recently announced that New York's landlords can now apply for unpaid rent relief through newly available $125 million in state funding. With priority being given to landlords owning small-to-medium-sized properties, this funding could cover up to 12 months of past-due rent. To learn more on this relief opportunity, please click here.
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.
Third batch of Advance Child Tax Credit Payments sent in September
The third batch of advance Child Tax Credit (CTC) monthly payments, totaling about $15 billion, was sent out to 35 million families in September across the country. The majority of payments were issued by direct deposit. Under the American Rescue Plan, most eligible families received payments dated July 15 and August 13, along with the September payment. Future payments are scheduled for October 15, November 15 and December 15. For these families, each payment is up to $300 per month for each child under age 6 and up to $250 per month for each child ages 6 through 17.It’s not too late for families who haven’t filed a 2020 income tax return—including those who are not normally required to file because their incomes are too low—to sign up for advance CTC payments. Most low-income families can get these monthly payments.
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!
Sponsored Legislation: This week, I introduced the following bill to the House of Representatives:
H.R. 5440
My bill, the Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act of 2021 would build on President Biden’s executive orders and directives aimed at our nation’s critical infrastructure by establishing a Cyber Incident Review office (CIR) with the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). Much of our nation’s vital infrastructure, both physical and virtual, are owned and operated by private companies that are not required to disclose whether are not they have been affected by dangerous cyber or malware arracks. H.R. 5440 would require private entities to report cybersecurity incidents to the CIR office. This procedural change will facilitate collaboration between both the public and private sectors to bolster our nations cybersecurity posture. I am proud to spearhead this movement especially at a time where our nation is facing an onslaught of cyber and ransomware attacks affecting everything from food suppliers to energy infrastructure.
Co-Sponsored Legislation: This week, I lent my support and commitment to the following bills:
H.R. 5439
The tech industry continuously makes it clear profit is always preferable over people, and tragically, children are no exception. These unscrupulous marketers have utilized online spaces to exploit children and progressively cultivate their addiction to prominent online platforms. Enough is enough. H.R. 5439, the Kids Internet Design and Safety (KIDS) Act would prohibit online practices such as manipulative marketing, amplification of harmful content, and damaging design features which threaten young people online. The internet should serve as a resource for children to learn, grow, and form communities, not as a deliverable for whatever toxic substance, new product, or disturbing content Silicon Valley boardrooms deem relevant. I am proud to support this critical legislation to ensure that the online safety of our children is prioritized and not monetized.
H.R. 5469
The opioid crisis plaguing our country is indiscriminate and unfortunately impacts children as well. Opioid use among parents can often leave at-risk children in an overloaded and underfunded foster care system. H.R. 5469, the Furthering Opioid Services, Training, and Education Act would amend the 21st Century Cures Act to provide grants to states and localities providing child protective services to train and educate foster care staff about the impact of opioid addiction on children under their care. This legislation will ensure that vulnerable children receive the care and supervision they need during such a difficult and troubling time.
CLARKE ISSUES STATEMENT REGARDING CALLS TO CLOSE RIKERS ISLAND PRISONS
For far too long, we have heard the harrowing, sickening stories of the cruelty and inhumanity allowed to fester within the walls of Rikers Island. These abuses are appalling, and they must be brought to an end. I fully support Freedom Agenda and its allies in their efforts to bring attention to this crisis and close our city’s most reprehensible incarceration complex. Mayor de Blasio has put the wheels in motion necessary towards ending this decades-long humanitarian crisis. The onus is on our next mayor to finish the work and decisively say New York does not tolerate injustices, wherever they arise. Let me be clear: Rikers Island should not be open another minute. It cannot be open another administration. Full stop.
CLARKE ISSUES STATEMENT ON HER COVID-19 PANDEMIC ROUNDTABLE WITH PUBLIC HEALTH PROFESSIONALS & LOCAL HOSPITALS
In our district, our state, and our country, staying up-to-date on the latest news, practices, and regulations regarding COVID-19 and how to best protect yourself and your family has been beyond a challenge at times. With conflicting misinformation and disinformation in abundance, far too often, the resources necessary to accurately understand this pandemic are all but obscured from everyday Americans. Yesterday, I was fortunate enough to be joined by dedicated public health professionals from noted local institutions across our District who were gracious enough to share the latest, most relevant information on the COVID-19 pandemic’s ongoing impact within our communities. While this update was beyond valuable and necessary, let me be clear: staying informed is only the first step. Staying vigilant is the key to overcoming this pandemic and protecting ourselves and one another.
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