July 9, 2021 Newsletter
Dear Friend,
I hope you and your family had a relaxing and enjoyable Fourth of July. I want to share important updates with you about a recent district event I hosted in Richmond, information regarding the Child Tax Credit, and some upcoming events my office is planning.
Fighting Hunger in Virginia & Across the Nation
This week, I had the opportunity to host a press conference in Richmond at the Market at 25th to discuss efforts to combat hunger, food insecurity, and food deserts in our district, throughout the Commonwealth, and across the nation. I was pleased to be joined by Joel Berg, CEO of Hunger Free America, who made a stop in Richmond as a part of his coast-to-coast journey this summer to shine a light on the continuing national hunger crisis
Hunger, food insecurity, and food deserts are pressing issues in Virginia and throughout the nation. According to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, over 35.2 million people lived in food-insecure households in 2019. These issues also disproportionately affect low-income and rural communities, as well as communities of color.
That is why I have introduced the Healthy Food Access for All Americans Act to help improve Virginian families’ access to healthy, nutritious, and affordable food. My bipartisan legislation aims to incentivize food service providers such as grocers, retailers and nonprofits to help eradicate food deserts. The legislation would set up a system of tax credits and grants for businesses and nonprofits who serve low-income and low-access urban and rural areas.
Child Tax Credit Roundtable
As America shut down last year, and slowly now reopens, Americans have faced a host of economic and financial challenges. Parents have been faced with tough choices, as many lost employment or were forced to leave their jobs to care for their children while they attended school virtually. Lack of access to childcare services and exorbitant costs have further burdened America families. I was pleased to work with President Biden and my colleagues to bolster the Child Tax Credit, which will provide direct monthly payments to many American families with children. These funds will start being distributed on July 15th and will help cover the costs of everyday needs, including gas, food, childcare options, and so much more.
To ensure you have the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding eligibility, I will be hosting a joint Child Tax Credit Roundtable event with my neighbor and friend, Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03), this coming Monday, July 12th, at 5:30pm ET on Zoom. If you would like to attend the event, please RSVP here.
Equal Access to Contraception for Veterans Act
I was pleased to vote for the Equal Access to Contraception for Veterans Act. The ACA (Obamacare) requires access to contraceptives without an accompanying copay. Tricare, which active duty servicemembers are subscribed to, offers the same benefit, but veterans covered under the VA health care system did not have this same access. This bill will remedy that disparity and ensure our servicemembers have access to contraceptives.
Veterans make incredible sacrifices and risk their lives in service to our country. Improved access to reproductive health care leads to better physical and mental health outcomes, which is why I was pleased to vote for this legislation to eliminate burdensome co-pays for servicemembers insured under the VA.
Mobile McEachin – for Help with a Federal Agency
Are you missing benefits? Tax return not arrived? Trying to get a visa? If you are struggling with a federal agency and need help, here is an opportunity for an appointment with our expert and knowledgeable constituent services representative. Our next Mobile McEachin will be on Wednesday, July 14th 10:30-3pm ET. Sign up for an appointment and my staff will be happy to help with federal agency problems.