Dear John,

I am writing with an update from The Weekly Wrap, a recap of the week in Congress and highlights of my work. 

After months of negotiations, the House passed the CHIPS and Science Act, legislation that makes historic investments in American manufacturing, science and innovation. Also, the House Committee on Education and Labor approved the Healthy Meals, Healthy Kids Act, a reauthorization of critical federal child nutrition programs. Additionally, the House advanced the Assault Weapons Ban Act, legislation to ban the sale, import, manufacture or transfer of certain semi-automatic weapons.

For the full recap, please read below. 

The CHIPS and Science Act

Currently, only 12 percent of semiconductor chips are manufactured domestically, down from 37 percent in the 1990’s.  Many foreign competitors are investing heavily to dominate this critical national security industry. These chips are a vital component of electronic devices like smartphones, cars, appliances, TVs, computers, medical equipment and products made by the defense industry.

Last week, the House passed the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) and Science Act. This legislation makes groundbreaking investments to strengthen American research, innovation, and manufacturing to ensure our country remains a global leader for generations to come. This legislation will decrease our dependence on countries like China and jump start American manufacturing.

My legislation, the Supporting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Learning Opportunities Act was included in the final text. The Supporting STEM Learning Opportunities Act invests in engaging learning opportunities to strengthen the pipeline of students entering the STEM workforce, especially students from underrepresented groups, including women and communities of color. 

Manufacturing is the backbone of the U.S. economy. As the global landscape continues to evolve, it is crucial this industry continues to modernize. 

The CHIPS and Science Act has been sent to President Biden where it awaits signature. 

Healthy Meals, Healthy Kids Act

Last week, the House Committee on Education and Labor advanced the Healthy Meals, Healthy Kids Act, a comprehensive, evidence-driven reauthorization of federal child nutrition programs.

This child nutrition reauthorization improves federal nutrition programs to expand school and summer meal programs, increase access to federal nutrition programs like the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and prevent hunger. 

The Healthy Meals, Healthy Kids Act will address both pre-existing inequities and food insecurity spurred by the pandemic. Specifically, the legislation will: 

• Expand access to free school meals;
• Increase food aid during the summer; and 
• Expand WIC eligibility and programs. 

I am thrilled this legislation also includes several pieces of legislation I wrote, including: 

• The Scratch Meals for Students Act
• The WIC for Kids Act 
• The School Hunger Elimination Act
• The Stop Child Hunger Act 

The Healthy Meals, Healthy Kids Act will go a long way towards addressing systemic barriers in our communities and prioritizes legislation to ensure more kids have access to healthy meals in school. I look forward to advancing this legislation out of the House. 

To learn more about the Healthy Meals, Healthy Kids Act please click here. 

Assault Weapons Ban Act

On Friday, the House considered the Assault Weapons Ban Act, legislation to ban the sale, import, manufacture or transfer of certain semi-automatic weapons. The passage of this legislation represents the first action on the assault weapons ban since 1994. 

The 1994 Assault Weapons Ban was associated with a 25% drop in gun massacres and a 40% drop in fatalities. Today, researchers estimate a ban on assault weapons could result in 70% fewer mass shooting deaths. 

As your Congresswoman, I am committed to supporting strong, commonsense action to require safe and responsible gun ownership and prevent violence. I am an original cosponsor of the Assault Weapons Ban Act and happy to have joined my colleagues in passing this legislation out of the House. 

Additional information on the Assault Weapons Ban Act can be found here. 

Thank you for taking the time to read this update. As always, please continue to share your thoughts and priorities with me.

Jahana Hayes

Member of Congress