UPLIFTING FAMILIES

In Rochester, far too many families and individuals continue to struggle to get ahead. Wages are stagnant while the cost of living continues to skyrocket. Private corporations are achieving record-breaking profits while working families are living paycheck-to-paycheck and barely scraping by.

Joe has taken the time to listen and understand the challenges and barriers that are standing in the way of struggling families. He recognizes that we need to take on a comprehensive, community-driven approach to overcome the deep-rooted cycle of poverty that has ensnared too many innocent victims.

Joe believes we must act now and respond to the needs of low-income families and individuals. That is why Joe is fighting to create a new child tax credit to help lift families out of poverty, increase the availability of affordable housing, expand access to child care, and protect critical food security programs.

In Congress, Joe has co-sponsored the following legislation:

HR 7038 Hunger Clearinghouse Enhancement Act

Would increase the authorization level from $250,000 to $750,000 to better assist families navigating their options and provide hunger prevention education.

HR 2573 The Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act

Would increase by 50% the Affordable Housing Tax Credit (also known as the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit) and increase the availability of affordable housing.

HR 603 The Raise the Wage Act

Would set the federal minimum wage at $15 – increasing wages for over 30 million Americans and lifting 1.3 million people out of poverty, including 600,000 children.

HR 2817 The Childcare for Working Families Act

Would guarantee child care assistance to low and middle-class families by ensuring that no family under 150 percent of state median income pays more than seven percent of their income on childcare – and families under 75 percent of the state median income will not have to pay anything at all.

HR 928 The American Family Act

Would create a new $300 per-month, per-child credit for children under 6 years of age and a $250 per-month, per-child credit for children under 17 years of age – lifting 4 million children out of poverty.

HR 4077 Closing the Meal Gap

Would bolster the SNAP program and better support families who rely on this critical program.

HR 7027 School Hunger Elimination Act

Would improve the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast program (SBP)to increase access to school meals for students in need.

HR 3115 Universal School Meal Program

Would provide free meals to all students, regardless of income level and ensure no student goes hungry.

HR 5129 The Community Services Block Grant Modernization Act

Would update and reauthorize the CSBG program, which is a critical program with a proven record of providing assistance to low-income communities across the country.

HR 1783 Accessible, Affordable Internet for All

Would ensure all Americans, regardless of where they live, have access to reliable broadband internet.