JUNE NEWSLETTER Dear john, I closed out June with one phrase on my mind: We won’t go back. When an extremist Supreme Court decided to strip more than half of this country of our right to abortion I was furious, but sadly not surprised. The people who will suffer most from this decision come from marginalized communities. Congress must act now. I’ve already been busy in the fight for reproductive freedom, here’s how: Abortion is Essential I stood outside the U.S. Supreme Court with my colleagues to make it clear that we won't back down from the fight to keep #BansOffOurBodies. In May, I introduced a resolution condemning the criminalization of essential health care services, including abortion, gender-affirming care, contraceptive care and pregnancy outcomes. On the same day of the Dobbs decision, I joined a letter led by Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley urging President Biden to declare a Public Health Emergency in response to attacks on abortion. I’m an original co-sponsor of the House passed Women’s Health Protection Act which would codify Roe v Wade. As a member of the pro-choice caucus, I’ll continue fighting for legislation to secure reproductive freedom. Abortion is currently legal in the state of Georgia. For more information on your rights and resources, visit ReproductiveRights.gov. This month Congress also took tangible action to curb gun violence. We passed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the first major gun safety legislation in three decades. Our work answered the pleas of the American people who have said time and time again: enough is enough. While there is more to be done, this legislation is a start to save lives. The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act will be signed into law on July 11, 2022. I marched with Congresswoman Lucy McBath and March for Our Lives to make it clear that we needed to take action to prevent gun violence Around the district, I celebrated Juneteenth (our second as a federal holiday!) serving as a Grand Marshal in the East Point & Atlanta NAACP Juneteenth Parade. I also spent the weekend championing my Abolition Amendment; this amendment would end the exception clause in the 13th amendment to truly abolish slavery once and for all. And speaking of being around the district, August is still a few weeks away but I am gearing up for the annual district work period. Don’t let the popular phrase “August recess” fool you, the extended time in the Fighting Fifth is a time to WORK and listen to your needs. We’re still building the full calendar but save the date for the second installment of my Congress in Your Community, August 12th from 5:00 p.m - 7:00 p.m. at the Decatur Library. In the meantime of course, if my office can ever be of assistance give us a call at (404) 659-0116. We are here for you! Yours in Service, Congresswoman Nikema Williams Georgia's Fifth District Visit My Website Help With a Federal Agency ‌ ‌ ‌ More Information on Your Rights and Resources An extremist Supreme Court stripped people of their right to health care when they overturned Roe v. Wade. Reproductive healthcare–including abortion–is essential. For more information on your rights and resources, visit ReproductiveRights.gov. ReproductiveRights.gov Get Assistance Searching for Infant Formula The unprecedented infant formula shortage is hurting families everywhere. HHS has compiled resources that may be able to assist families searching for formula. ➡️ Find COVID-19 Vaccines for Your Little Ones COVID-19 vaccines are now available for everyone six month and older. Find vaccines for your little ones at vaccines.gov. While there, you can also find out how to get a flu vaccine–no matter your age. Even if you’ve been vaccinated, boosted, and (if necessary) double boosted, you can still be at risk. The CDC has the latest COVID-19 data from across the country and every home in the U.S. is eligible to order a third round of at-home COVID-19 tests. Stay Cool Everyone knows summers in Georgia get hot. Make sure you’re looking after your wellbeing in the heat by following the National Weather Service on social media for weather alerts and you read up on how hot weather impacts your health. File Your Taxes Early If you haven’t filed your 2021 tax return for any reason, there is no reason to wait until the October 17 deadline to file. The IRS is encouraging taxpayers to file their returns electronically as soon as they can to avoid possible penalties and fees. Learn more here. INTRODUCED March for Servicemembers Act Legislation that will allow military medical treatment facilities (MTF) to provide abortion services and for the military to cover associated costs. Endometriosis CARE Act Bipartisan legislation that would fund investments needed to advance endometriosis research, develop and expand access to treatments, and promote public awareness. Despite the significant impact of endometriosis on the lives of women who are affected by it, the normalization of women’s pain and the stigma surrounding menstrual issues have resulted in a lack of scientific research and public understanding. The bipartisan Endometriosis CARE Act aims to address these gaps. Sustaining Our Democracy Act The Sustaining Our Democracy Act would provide $20 billion in mandatory federal funding over the next decade to help states and local governments support election administration, including by training and recruiting nonpartisan poll workers and election officials and increasing access to voting in underserved communities. PASSED Keep Kids Fed Act Extends funding and flexibility for communities to provide children healthy meals this summer and provide support to schools and daycare providers to respond to supply chain challenges and high food costs for the coming school year. Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act A package of bipartisan bills to lower prices for America’s families in the grocery aisle and at the gas pump by giving America’s farmers and ranchers the support they need to thrive. LGBTQI+ Data Inclusion Act Allows for voluntarily providing data in federal surveys on on sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics so the federal government can better serve LGBTQI+ individuals. Restoring Help for Mental Health and Well Being Act A bipartisan legislative package strengthening access to care for people struggling with mental illness and substance use disorders. Campus Prevention and Recovery Services for Students Act A bipartisan legislative package to increase mental health services to college students and equip schools with the resources needed to care for their students. Celebrating Juneteenth The City of East Point and Atlanta Chapter of the NAACP hosted an excellent Juneteenth parade! It was great to celebrate our freedom with so many community leaders. We know we have more work to do to create a more inclusive country for everyone and we’re doing it for the people. Black Homeownership Collaborative Home ownership leads to generational wealth which leads to economic determination which leads to more Black freedom. On Juneteenth, I joined the Black Homeownership Collaborative for their one-year anniversary. If that wasn’t enough for a great day, we all enjoyed an appearance from Atlanta legend, Big Boi! Youth Town Hall to Address Gun Violence We can’t create gun safety in the country without hearing from our young constituents. As we continue to take steps to save lives by ending gun violence, I heard from young people from throughout the district about what gun safety means for them. I will make sure their voice is heard in Congress as we write more gun safety laws. March For Our Lives Rally I witnessed a school shooting my senior year of high school. No one should ever have that horror at school. I was inspired to march with our student leaders at the Atlanta March for Our Lives rally. The activism and commitment of our young constituents inspires me to continue working for commonsense gun safety measures. Welcoming Artist Jaylan to DC Jaylan Smith from Atlanta Public Schools’ Maynard Jackson High School won the Fifth Congressional District Art Competition. He flew to Washington, D.C. to watch as we hung his winning artwork in the halls of the U.S. Capitol. His art will hang in the Capitol alongside his fellow art competition winners for a year. Keep making us proud, Jaylan! District Students in DC Thank you the students from Atlanta Masjid of Al-Islam and Mohammed Schools of Atlanta for visiting me in the U.S. Capitol. I am proud to represent you in Congress and I was proud to vote to keep you safe from gun violence in schools that same day. Keep up the good work and stay engaged as you continue to change the world. Congress in Your Community I always say we have to meet people where they are. As your Congresswoman I will come to you if you need help. On June 6, I hosted my first Congress in Your Community event at the East Point Library. If you need federal help, stop by our next Congress in Your Community event in Decatur in July. HBCU Alliance 5k Supporting our HBCUs will get me up and out early on a Saturday morning! I started the Atlanta HBCU Alumni Alliance 5K and shared in HBCU fellowship with alumni (and sorors) from HBCUs across the country. Of course, the Fifth District was well represented by Clark Atlanta, Morehouse, Morris Brown and Spelman. Constituent Success Story Elizabeth S.’ grandson is in a choir going on an overseas trip. He needed a passport in less than a week otherwise he would have missed the trip. Congresswoman Williams’ office secured a passport under a very tight deadline. “Congresswoman Williams hires the best people,” said Elizabeth. “Know that you have made a huge difference for a young man.” Rep. Williams | Washington, D.C. Office: 1406 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected]