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OP-ED: The American Rescue Plan Continues to Deliver

NNPA NEWSWIRE — Enacted just 50 days into his term, the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan was the first step in President Biden’s strategy to stabilize families, reopen schools, make COVID-19 vaccines readily available, and get people back to work.
The post OP-ED: The American Rescue Plan Continues to Deliver first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 years ago

March 13, 2023

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By Congressman James E. Clyburn

When President Joe Biden took office, the economy was in crisis, millions of Americans were out of work, and Main Streets were shuttered. Two years later, it’s clear that his economic plan is working. The Biden administration has created over 12.4 million jobs during his presidency. Our nation’s unemployment rate is at the lowest since 1969 and the deficit has fallen by $1.7 trillion. That success is due in part to the transformational American Rescue Plan.

Enacted just 50 days into his term, the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan was the first step in President Biden’s strategy to stabilize families, reopen schools, make COVID-19 vaccines readily available, and get people back to work. Saturday, March 11 marks two years since the enactment. Its success could not be more apparent than in our progress in expanding access to health care, reducing childhood poverty, and closing the digital divide.

President Theodore Roosevelt was the first president to call for health care reform over 100 years ago. President Barack Obama sought to meet that call with the introduction of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The ACA provided subsidies for private health insurance for many low- and middle-income Americans, while strongly incentivizing states to expand Medicaid to provide coverage for those with lower incomes.

The ACA was just the first step toward making health care accessible and affordable for all Americans. The American Rescue Plan was the next one. The American Rescue Plan temporarily enhanced ACA health insurance subsidies to make coverage more affordable, resulting in millions more Americans signing up. Over 31 million Americans now have access to affordable, quality health insurance through the ACA and the average family is saving $2,400 a year on their premiums. The enhancements in the ARP have since been extended by the Inflation Reduction Act.

The American Rescue Plan also enhanced the incentive to expand Medicaid for the 12 states that had yet to do so. Since then, two of these states, South Dakota and North Carolina, have decided to move forward, which will expand coverage to more than 300,000 uninsured Americans living in poverty. Nearly 2 million Americans in the 10 remaining non-expansion states, including more than 100,000 in my home state of South Carolina, still find themselves in the so-called coverage gap without any assistance. I urge these states to take advantage of the ARP’s incentives to expand, which will not only provide many low-income families with access to health care, but it will also help support our rural hospitals and create jobs.

The American Rescue Plan’s financial lifelines include the expansion of the Child Tax Credit. The expanded Child Tax Credit, paid monthly, increased per-year payments from $2,000 to $3,000 per child and provided an additional $600 per child under the age of 6. This became a lifeline for hardworking families throughout the pandemic. Nearly 4 million children were lifted out of poverty and the child poverty rate declined by 46% in one year.

Although the expansion expired at the end of 2021, it should be reinstituted and made permanent. U.S. Census surveys show that families used the Child Tax Credit to afford basic life necessities such as childcare, food, and medicine. Making this assistance permanent would help ensure our most vulnerable have the means to provide for their families. Families’ success in the 21^st century is also dependent upon access to affordable, high-speed broadband. The American Rescue Plan included $350 billion to help state, local, and tribal governments fight the pandemic and build a strong and equitable recovery through investment in long-term growth and opportunity.

These funds have created a pathway to making high-speed internet service both accessible and affordable for every South Carolinian. The state was recently awarded $185.8 million from the American Rescue Plan’s Capital Projects Fund for high-speed broadband deployment, and the state has already set aside another $214.2 million of their allocation from the American Rescue Plan’s State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds to further expand affordable, high-speed internet service.

Taken together with the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and other federal funding programs, South Carolina now has the $600 million needed to bring universal access to high-speed, affordable internet service by 2026. This will connect our children to education. It will ensure our rural communities have access to telehealth and job opportunities. Most importantly, it will open a world of possibilities to every South Carolinian, no matter where they live.

I often say the 117^th Congress was the most productive since President Lyndon B. Johnson’s Great Society. President Johnson admonished that the “…Great Society is not a safe harbor, a resting place, a final objective, a finished work. It is a challenge constantly renewed, beckoning us toward a destiny where the meaning of our lives matches the marvelous products of our labor.”

After the gross negligence of the previous Administration, the American Rescue Plan put us back on track. Two years after its enactment, it continues to be the linchpin of President Joe Biden’s progress toward making our nation’s greatness accessible and affordable for all.

The post OP-ED: The American Rescue Plan Continues to Deliver first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

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OP-ED: The Illusion of Allyship. White Women, Your Yard Signs Mean Nothing to Me

NNPA NEWSWIRE – “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

Published

2 weeks ago

November 9, 2024

Oakland Post

Political yard signs can symbolize intentions and allegiance. But this year, they’ve also symbolized betrayal. During this general election, Black women were led to believe that more White women would stand with us. Exit polls, however, told a different story. Despite overwhelming displays of support, more White women still chose to vote for the convicted felon, reality TV star, and rapist. White women answered the call but left us hanging at the polls.

A Familiar Disappointment

I live in DeKalb County, Georgia, and the abundance of Harris-Walz yard signs could’ve fooled me. But I’ve seen this before, back when Stacey Abrams ran for governor. White women showed up, put up signs, attended rallies, knocked on doors, and phone-banked. Yet, when it came time to vote, they let us down—not once but twice. I’ve been here for over 15 years, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that political signs are symbols without weight.

In every election, I’ve talked with White women. Most aren’t the primary earners in their families and vote along party lines, aligning with the preferences of their fathers and husbands. These conversations reveal a reluctance to break from tradition, even when their votes affect women and certainly when their votes impact the lives of people who look like me.

The Illusion of Solidarity—Symbols Are Not Enough

On social media, I’m seeing White women posting pictures of blue bracelets to “prove” they didn’t vote for Trump. “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

I’ve seen Black Lives Matter signs and black squares posted on Instagram to “prove” support for Black people, but we now know that was a lie, too. Will those same people who claimed Black lives mattered now take down their Harris-Walz signs and show their true selves?

Navigating these truths is a daily struggle for me—professionally and socially. White women often misuse their privilege, supporting us only when it’s convenient. Seeing overqualified Black women sabotaged or abandoned by White women at critical moments is a constant emotional challenge. It’s exhausting to live with this reality, especially when solidarity seems like something they pick up and discard at will.

One clever campaign ad from Harris-Walz that spoke directly to White women. “Your Vote, Your Choice” emphasized that their vote was private—independent of their household situation. Another was from Olivia Howell Dreizen, the “Vote Without Fear” campaign, which empowered women to consider the greater impact of their choices. But it seems many still couldn’t choose the roadmap to freedom—even when it was handed to them.

A Call for Action Beyond Words

White women, I want to believe you care, but actions speak louder than yard signs, bracelets, or Instagram posts. Show up in our communities, advocate in your workplaces, and stand up to dismantle the structures that uphold white supremacy. Only through real action will we know where you stand.

If you choose not to act, we see you—and we know exactly where you stand. Good luck these next four years.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of BlackPressUSA.com or the National Newspaper Publishers Association.

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Supernova Parenting Conference Empowers Over 100 Parents with Resources for Neurodivergence and Mental Health

The inaugural Supernova Parenting Conference was co-hosted by Natasha Nelson, known as Supernova Momma, and Yolanda Walker, founder of Parenting Decolonized. It brought together over 100 parents, caregivers, and educators dedicated to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent children and mental health challenges. The conference provided invaluable resources, expert insights, and a collaborative space for […]

Published

2 weeks ago

November 7, 2024

BlackPressUSA.com

The event featured a variety of workshops, panel discussions, and keynote speeches from leading experts in neurodiversity and mental health. Attendees left with practical tools and strategies to enhance their parenting journeys, emphasizing the importance of understanding and supporting the unique needs of neurodivergent children.

“While the conference was a tremendous success, we believe that our work doesn’t end here,” said Natasha Nelson. “It’s crucial to continue providing ongoing support and resources for parents as they navigate this important journey. We want to ensure families can access the tools they need long after the conference.”

To extend the momentum generated at the conference, Natasha and Yolanda are excited to announce the launch of the Supernova Parenting Community. This membership-based initiative aims to offer a safe and supportive environment for parents and caregivers to continue their growth as conscious parents.

Membership is available for as little as $5 a month via Patreon, making it accessible for all families seeking support.

“We know that parenting can be a challenging journey, especially when navigating neurodivergence and mental health issues,” Yolanda Walker added. “Our goal is to build a community where parents feel seen, heard, and supported. We hope you’ll join us in this vital work.”

For more information about the Supernova Parenting Community and to sign up for membership, please visit supernovaparenting.org