Statements and Letters Archives — Page 4 of 16

Sierra Campbell2020-07-22T10:24:25-05:00[ July 20th, 2020 ]

Nearly 170 Organizations Call for Congress to Include the Pandemic TANF Assistance Act in the Next COVID-19 Relief Package

We urge Congress to demonstrate their commitment to addressing systemic poverty and racial, and gender disparities by including the Pandemic TANF Assistance Act in the next COVID-19 legislative package. The emergency grant program included in this bill would help families and children, especially families of color, meet their basic needs and is an essential part of more significant action and assistance needed for our most vulnerable.

Sierra Campbell2020-07-14T12:32:17-05:00[ July 10th, 2020 ]

CDF Urges Congress to Enhance Medicaid FMAP to Provide Needed Health Care Services to Families

Given the magnitude of both the public health and economic crises the nation continues to face, state and local governments need more support to provide health care services to individuals and families. We urge Congress to provide an additional FMAP increase of at least 5.8 percentage points, be retroactive to January 1, 2020, and remain until September 30, 2021, regardless of unemployment conditions. After September 30, 2021, the 12 percent FMAP increase should not be reduced until the national unemployment rate falls below 5 percent. In addition, we request additional FMAP increases be determined based on the increase in a state’s unemployment rate.

Sierra Campbell2020-07-02T10:34:45-05:00[ July 2nd, 2020 ]

CDF Urges Congress to Expand the Child Tax Credit

Ample research tells us that strengthening and expanding the Child Tax Credit and converting it into a monthly child allowance is one of the most powerful ways to address child poverty and increase long-term positive outcomes for our children. We strongly urge Congress to adopt changes to the Child Tax Credit, reflecting the provisions in the American Family Act (S.690/H.R. 1560), to ensure it is fully refundable and reaches all children in low- and no-income households with the greatest need.

Sierra Campbell2020-07-02T11:19:09-05:00[ July 1st, 2020 ]

CDF Calls for Congress to Prioritize Children and Families in Budget Decisions

We urge Congress to prioritize children and families, especially those who are most vulnerable in our communities, during the Fiscal Year 2021 (FY2021) appropriations process and emergency budget decisions.

Sierra Campbell2020-06-22T09:19:57-05:00[ June 22nd, 2020 ]

CDF Joins Over 2,000 Organizations Urging Congress to Expand SNAP Amid COVID-19

COVID-19 has exacerbated already too high levels of food insecurity in America. We urge Congress and the White House to take action now to limit the depth and duration of this health and economic crisis by ensuring that the basic food needs of struggling families and individuals are met. Congress and the White House must act now to increase the SNAP maximum benefit, increase the SNAP monthly minimum benefit, and suspend SNAP time limits and rules changes that would cut SNAP eligibility and benefits.

Sierra Campbell2020-07-09T13:21:55-05:00[ June 19th, 2020 ]

CDF’s Testimony for the Hearing on Tax Relief to Support Workers and Families During the COVID-19 Recession

CDF submitted testimony to the House Ways and Means Committee on the need to support children and families with direct cash payments and expanded refundable tax credits throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and the attendant economic downturn.

Sierra Campbell2020-06-18T15:01:26-05:00[ June 18th, 2020 ]

CDF Endorses Agenda of Civil Rights Principles for Safe, Healthy, and Inclusive School Climates

The tragedies that have occurred in schools across the country demand serious investments in evidence-based policies and practices that keep children and staff safe and do not exacerbate the school-to-prison pipeline, further criminalize marginalized children, or increase the over-policing of students in schools and communities. In order to ensure that students are learning in safe, healthy, and inclusive environments, we seek PK-12 school climate legislation that meets the following principles. We ask members of Congress to fulfill their role in helping educators and communities create and maintain safe schools that afford all students equal educational opportunities by incorporating these principles into all relevant legislation.

Sierra Campbell2020-06-11T10:48:00-05:00[ June 11th, 2020 ]

CDF Opposes the Costly Tax Breaks for Millionaire Business Owners and Corporations in COVID-19 Package

CDF urges Senators to support repeal of costly tax breaks for millionaire business owners and corporations contained in the CARES Act and to oppose any other tax cuts for the rich and corporations in future COVID-19 relief and recovery bills. Instead, we recommend that your priorities be providing a major infusion of support to maintain state and local public services communities depend on, including public safety, healthcare, schools and sanitation; helping workers stay employed or providing them with robust unemployment benefits; giving more direct aid to families; and adequately funding public health.

Sierra Campbell2020-06-30T15:05:53-05:00[ June 3rd, 2020 ]

CDF Joined Over 400 Organizations Calling for Congress to Support Older Foster Youth Amid COVID-19

We urge Congress to act immediately to provide crucial supports to older foster youth facing the stress and disruptions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Approximately 18,000 youth exit foster care without a family each year, and, unfortunately, the outcomes for these young people are discouraging even in times of economic prosperity. Data indicate that on average, two in five foster youth who “age out” of care will experience episodes of homelessness and only 50 percent of youth will be employed at age 24. The COVID-19 crisis will only exacerbate these dire outcomes.

Sierra Campbell2020-06-03T11:21:13-05:00[ June 3rd, 2020 ]

CDF Joins Call for USDA to Extend Waivers to Ensure Safe Access to Food Assistance

We urge USDA to use its full authority to quickly extend the rest of the nationwide waivers, and state-specific waivers such as area eligibility, until September 30, 2020, or at least August 31, 2020. Extending the waivers is not only in the interest of public health, it also provides consistency for families and eases the administrative burden on state child nutrition agencies and FNS staff. The urgency of extending these waivers now cannot be understated as schools, local government agencies, and private nonprofits are making decisions today about whether or not they will continue to operate these programs this summer.

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