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OP-ED: Refocusing America’s Pursuit of Perfection

NNPA NEWSWIRE — While our legislative wins were impressive and unprecedented, the pundits remained focused on the noise and name calling. They bought into the dire predictions that the voters would turn Democrats out in droves. I was often asked, “What would it take to get beyond the acrimony?” My answer was always the same, “a definitive election, one in which massive numbers of Americans would step outside their comfort zones.”
The post OP-ED: Refocusing America’s Pursuit of Perfection first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Published

3 years ago

November 28, 2022

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By Congressman James E. Clyburn

In his January 20, 2022, Inaugural Address, President Joe Biden called on us to, “look ahead in our uniquely American way – restless, bold, optimistic – and set our sights on the nation we know we can be, and we must be. But many Americans were looking back to the unprecedented and tumultuous attempted insurrection of January 6th. Backward looking is not normal for a democracy – especially one like ours that is always in “pursuit of a more perfect union.” But you won’t find perfection by looking backwards. President Abraham Lincoln reportedly once said, “I walk slowly, but I never walk backwards.”

President Lincoln led this country through an earlier period of internal turmoil, when there was no certainty that America would emerge intact. I believe President Biden faces similar challenges today. In addition to the political challenge that faced our country as he took office, our country was struggling to reduce the toll of Covid-19, restore our place on the world stage, reform community policing, keep our communities safe, combat climate change, and the list goes on and on and on.

President Biden took a page from President Lincoln’s methodical approach to move us forward. Within the first six weeks of his administration, President Biden signed the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan. That law made Covid-19 vaccinations available, stabilized families, unshuttered businesses, reopened schools, and got people back to work. He followed that historic legislation with another historic bill, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that is investing $1.2 trillion in roads and bridges, clean air and water, ports and rail, electric vehicles and making high-speed internet accessible and affordability to every resident and business.

During our lively debate over the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, competing interests within our party were threatening that agenda and our continued pursuit of a more perfect union. I urged members to step outside their comfort zones and find common ground. We were able to subsequently craft the bill that President Biden signed into law.

President Biden’s poll numbers dipped dramatically as the pandemic lingered. But Democrats entered the 2022 election cycle comfortable with his approach and confident in our agenda. We continued to focus on the future and passed much-needed legislation: the CHIPS & Science Act to keep skilled technical and manufacturing jobs in the U.S; the PACT Act to provide health care and resources for military heroes who had been subjected to toxic burn pits and Agent Orange, and the Safer Communities Act to combat gun violence and provide more law enforcement officers in rural communities.

We also passed the Inflation Reduction Act. While it was the largest investment ever to combat climate change, it also authorized Medicare to negotiate for lower drug prices and capped the cost of insulin at $35 for seniors starting January 1, 2023. President Biden and Congressional Democrats were putting the best interest of the American people over the politics of the moment, and the voters knew it.

While our legislative wins were impressive and unprecedented, the pundits remained focused on the noise and name calling. They bought into the dire predictions that the voters would turn Democrats out in droves. I was often asked, “What would it take to get beyond the acrimony?” My answer was always the same, “a definitive election, one in which massive numbers of Americans would step outside their comfort zones.”

That is what happened on November 8^th. Many Republicans and Independents who are not usually comfortable voting for Democrats did so in record numbers. The election results seem to have changed the narrative from one of looking backward to one that is forward focused.

After a better-than-expected midterm election cycle during his first term, President Lincoln responded to a Michigan Senator and frequent critic from his own party, Zachariah Chandler, by saying, “I am very glad the elections this autumn have gone favorably, and that I have not, by native depravity, or under evil influences, done anything bad enough to prevent the good result. I hope to ‘stand firm’ enough to not go backward, and yet not go forward fast enough to wreck the country’s cause.”

Forward momentum is the only way to overcome the pull of the past and break the ties of those wanting a return to divisive and dangerous times. I believe President Biden has proven that he too will “stand firm enough to not go backward.”

With the House and Senate as closely divided as they are, progress will require that both sides step outside of their comfort zones and continue our pursuit of “a more perfect union.” The extent of our commitment and success will be determined by the American people at the time – and in the places – they usually render their decisions, at the ballot boxes.

The post OP-ED: Refocusing America’s Pursuit of Perfection first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

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LIHEAP Funds Released After Weeks of Delay as States and the District Rush to Protect Households from the Cold

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — The federal government has released $3.6 billion in home heating assistance after a delay that left states preparing for the start of winter without the program’s annual funding.

Published

4 days ago

December 1, 2025

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

The federal government has released $3.6 billion in home heating assistance after a delay that left states preparing for the start of winter without the program’s annual funding. The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, known as LIHEAP, helps eligible households pay heating and cooling bills. The release follows a shutdown that stretched 43 days and pushed agencies across the country to warn families of possible disruptions.

State officials in Minnesota, Kansas, New York, and Pennsylvania had already issued alerts that the delay could slow the processing of applications or force families to wait until December for help. In Pennsylvania, more than 300,000 households depend on the program each year. Minnesota officials noted that older adults, young children, and people with disabilities face the highest risk as temperatures fall.

The delay also raised concerns among advocates who track household debt tied to rising utility costs. National Energy Assistance Directors Association Executive Director Mark Wolfe said the funds were “essential and long overdue” and added that high arrearages and increased energy prices have strained families seeking help.

Some states faced additional pressure when other services were affected by the shutdown. According to data reviewed by national energy advocates, roughly 68 percent of LIHEAP households also receive nutrition assistance, and the freeze in multiple programs increased the financial burden on low-income residents. Wolfe said families were placed in “an even more precarious situation than usual” as the shutdown stretched into November.

In Maryland, lawmakers urged the Trump administration to release funds after the state recorded its first cold-related death of the season. The Maryland Department of Health reported that a man in his 30s was found outdoors in Frederick County when temperatures dropped. Last winter, the state documented 75 cold-related deaths, the highest number in five years. Rep Kweisi Mfume joined more than 100 House members calling for immediate federal action and said LIHEAP “is not a luxury” for the 100,000 Maryland households that rely on it. He added that seniors and veterans would be placed at risk if the program remained stalled.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore used $10.1 million in state funds to keep benefits moving, but noted that states cannot routinely replace federal dollars. His administration said families that rely on medical equipment requiring electricity are particularly vulnerable.

The District of Columbia has already mapped out its FY26 LIHEAP structure in documents filed with the federal government. The District’s plan shows that heating assistance, cooling assistance, weatherization, and year-round crisis assistance operate from October 1 through September 30. The District allocates 50 percent of its LIHEAP funds to heating assistance, 10 percent to cooling, 13 percent to year-round crisis assistance, 15 percent to weatherization, and 10 percent to administrative costs. Two percent is used for services that help residents reduce energy needs, including education on reading utility bills and identifying energy waste.

The District’s plan lists a minimum LIHEAP benefit of $200 and a maximum of $1,800 for both heating and cooling assistance. Crisis benefits are provided separately and may reach up to $500 when needed to resolve an emergency. The plan states that a household is considered in crisis if it has been disconnected from energy service, if heating oil is at 5 percent or less of capacity, or if the household has at least $200 owed after the regular benefit is applied.

The District’s filing notes that LIHEAP staff conduct outreach through community meetings, senior housing sites, Advisory Neighborhood Commissions, social media, posters, and mass mailings. The plan confirms that LIHEAP applicants can apply in person, by mail, by email, or through a mobile-friendly online application and that physically disabled residents may request in-home visits.

As agencies nationwide begin distributing the newly released funds, states continue working through large volumes of applications. Wolfe said LIHEAP administrators “have been notified that the award letters have gone out and the states can begin to draw down the funds.”

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Seven Steps to Help Your Child Build Meaningful Connections

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Swinging side by side with a friend on the playground. Sharing chalk over bright, colorful sidewalk drawings. Hiding behind a tree during a spirited game of hide-and-seek. These simple moments between children may seem small, but they matter more than we think

Published

4 days ago

December 1, 2025

Oakland Post

By Niyoka McCoy, Ed.D., Chief Learning Officer, Stride/K12

Swinging side by side with a friend on the playground. Sharing chalk over bright, colorful sidewalk drawings. Hiding behind a tree during a spirited game of hide-and-seek. These simple moments between children may seem small, but they matter more than we think: They lay the foundation for some of life’s most important skills.

Through everyday play, young children begin learning essential social and emotional skills like sharing, resolving conflicts, showing empathy, and managing their emotions. These social skills help shape emotional growth and set kids up for long-term success. Socialization in early childhood isn’t just a “nice-to-have”—it’s essential for development.

Yet today, many young children who haven’t yet started school aren’t getting enough consistent, meaningful interaction with peers. Research shows that there’s a decline in active free play and peer socialization when compared to previous generations.

There are many reasons for this. Children who are home with a parent during the day may spend most of their time with adults, limiting opportunities for peer play. Those in daycare or preschool may have restricted free play, and large classrooms can reduce supervision and social coaching. Some children live in rural areas, are homebound due to illness, have full schedules, or rely on screens to fill their playtime. And for some families, finding other families with young children to connect with isn’t easy.

While these challenges can feel significant, opportunities for connection still exist in every community. Families can take simple steps to help children build friendships, create a sense of belonging, and strengthen social skills. Here are some ideas to get started:

Storytime sessions at libraries or local bookstores
Community offerings such as parent-child workshops, art, music, gymnastics, swimming, or sports programs
Weekly events at children’s museums, which may include art projects, music workshops, or science experiments
Outdoor exploration, where kids can play with peers
Local parenting groups that organize playdates and group activities
Volunteer opportunities where children can participate, such as pet adoption events or packing meals at a food bank
Classes for kids at local businesses, including hardware, grocery, or craft stores

Some of these community activities are free or low-cost and give kids the chance to build friendships and practice social skills. Parents can also model positive social behavior by interacting with other parents and encouraging their children to play with their peers.

These may seem like small moments of connection, but they can have a powerful impact. Every time your child shares a toy, plays make-believe with peers, or races a friend down the slide, they’re not just playing—they’re learning the skills that build confidence, empathy, and lasting friendships. And it’s good for you, too. Creating intentional opportunities for play also helps you strengthen your own network of parents who can support one another as your children grow together.

Oakland Post

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#NNPA BlackPress

Seven Steps to Help Your Child Build Meaningful Connections

Published

4 days ago

December 1, 2025

Oakland Post

By Niyoka McCoy, Ed.D., Chief Learning Officer, Stride/K12

Storytime sessions at libraries or local bookstores
Community offerings such as parent-child workshops, art, music, gymnastics, swimming, or sports programs
Weekly events at children’s museums, which may include art projects, music workshops, or science experiments
Outdoor exploration, where kids can play with peers
Local parenting groups that organize playdates and group activities
Volunteer opportunities where children can participate, such as pet adoption events or packing meals at a food bank
Classes for kids at local businesses, including hardware, grocery, or craft stores