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Introduced the Child CARE Act To Make Quality Child Care Affordable for Working Families
In March, I reintroduced the Child Care Access and Refundability Expansion Act (Child CARE Act), H.R. 1492, which expands the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC) to help families with the ever-increasing cost of child and dependent care.
In Maryland and across the country, working families are struggling to cope with child care expenses that are one of the biggest financial burdens they face, exceeding costs for housing, transportation, and food. For working parents, access to affordable, safe, and high-quality child care is a necessity to make ends meet. As President Obama said in his State of the Union address earlier this year, child care "is not a nice-to-have – it’s a must-have." Access to affordable care for children, dependents, and aging parents is a national economic priority.
In 20 states, the cost of child care for two children is more than the cost of the mortgage on a family’s home. In Maryland, a single mother spends an average of 36% of her income on child care. To make matters worse, the current CDCTC is outdated and does not reflect the realities of these rising costs. It applies a sliding scale that reduces the credit to only 20% of eligible expenses (currently $3,000 for one dependent and $6,000 for two or more) for families making more than $43,000 per year. Additionally, the credit is not currently refundable, meaning that lower-income families with no tax liability cannot benefit from the CDCTC, no matter what their child care costs are.
To read more about this legislation, please click here.
Original Cosponsor of the Social Security 2100 Act
I am proud to be an original cosponsor of the Social Security 2100 Act. Introduced by Rep. John Larson (CT-1), the bill “cuts taxes, strengthens benefits, and ensures Social Security through this century.” I took part in a press conference with Rep. Larson, several of my Democratic colleagues, and various organizations that are dedicated to protecting and strengthening Social Security to highlight this important piece of legislation. To watch my remarks at the press conference, please click here.
Ensuring Public Employees Carry Out Inspections of Surface Transportation Projects
I recently introduced H.R. 1692, the Safety, Efficiency, and Accountability in Transportation Projects through Public Inspection Act, which would require public employees to carry out the construction inspection functions for all surface transportation projects receiving Federal funding. Historically on transportation projects, the construction inspector is the eyes, ears, and voice of the public. Inspectors ensure that construction standards are met, that projects meet safety requirements, and that the materials used will stand the test of time. In short, they are there to ensure that the motoring public gets what they pay for, and public safety and the public interest are protected.
Outsourcing public inspection functions on state and local surface transportation projects eliminates a representative of the public from the construction site and puts a private company in charge of inspecting the work of the private construction company, creating potential conflicts of interest. A private inspector’s primary obligation and responsibility is not to the public, but to the success and profitability of the inspector’s company. Because the private construction company whose work they are inspecting on one project may be a business partner on a future project, private inspectors may feel pressure from the private contractor to take steps that ensure larger profits for both firms. Unfortunately, across the nation, some departments of transportation are outsourcing public inspection with poor results.
That is why I introduced H.R. 1692 to require public employees to perform the inspection and related essential public functions on all state and local transportation projects. The Safety, Efficiency, and Accountability in Transportation Projects through Public Inspection Act is intended to ensure that public safety is protected, transportation funds are not wasted, and projects are delivered in a timely manner.
Supportive of Two Recent Supreme Court Decisions
Applaud SCOTUS Ruling that Stands for Pregnant Workers
In Young v. United Parcel Service, a challenge was brought under the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, questioning whether the law requires an employer that provides work accommodations to non-pregnant employees with work limitations to provide work accommodations to pregnant employees who are “similar in their ability or inability to work.”
The Supreme Court issued a 6 to 3 ruling finding that employers can’t deny pregnant workers the same accommodations already provided to workers who are injured on the job.
The Court’s action is not just a win for pregnant women, but all women in the workplace and hard-working American families. In its decision, the Court upheld the 40-year-old law that prohibits pregnancy discrimination in the workplace. The ruling affirms that if an employer provides light duty for a worker who needs it because of disability, it must for a pregnant worker too.
However, Congress must still act to streamline the process and pass the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act to reinforce this decision and provide an unmistakable law. We must ensure that no woman is ever forced to choose between her job and the health of her pregnancy.
Applaud SCOTUS Ruling Halting Alabama’s Redistricting Plan
In Alabama Legislative Black Caucus v. Alabama, the Supreme Court’s 5-4 decision halted Alabama’s redistricting plan, which could have unfairly denied equal representation in state elections. SCOTUS told the lower court to reconsider whether a state redistricting plan packed minority voters into districts in order to dilute their influence.
Unfortunately, Alabama is just another example of how voting rights have come under renewed assault in our country. That is why Congress must restore Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act to ensure that all Americans have equal access and representation in our country’s democratic process.
Opposed GOP Budget Resolution for Fiscal Year 2016 (FY16)
When House Republicans debated their Budget Resolution for FY16, I had an opportunity to speak on the House floor in opposition. Here is an excerpt:
“Once again, we see how little House Republicans value protecting critical priorities that actually help Americans live a healthy life and enjoy a secure retirement. And in fact the Republican budget would:
- Force working families to pay more in taxes;
- Make college education less affordable;
- Force seniors to pay more for their health care and prescription drugs;
- End the Medicare guarantee by turning it into a voucher program; and
- Lastly Mr. Speaker, it would block grant both Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)."
You can watch my entire floor statement by clicking here.
Celebrating Hubble’s 25th Anniversary with Goddard Center Director Christopher Scolese
Mark your calendars for Goddard’s Open House
event on Sept. 26, 2015.
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I have been a fan of the Hubble Space Telescope since it was launched already 25 years ago, and like so many, I have been mesmerized by its stunning photographs. With this appreciation in mind, it was great to meet with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Goddard Center Director Scolese to discuss the Hubble telescope, some of the incredible advancements it has uncovered, and Goddard’s instrumental role in developing Hubble.
Testified Before Senate Committee Field Hearing on “Minority Access to Capital”
On March 16, the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship held a field hearing on “Minority Access to Capital.” Sen. Ben Cardin chaired the hearing and invited me to participate, where I discussed the important role women-, minority-, and immigrant-owned small businesses play in our communities, and why it is critical that they be able to access capital. It was important for all of us to hear about the need that exists, the current programs that seek to meet that need, and potential new programs and efforts to access this capital. I look forward to continuing to work with Sen. Cardin, business leaders, and other stakeholders on this issue that is so important to our communities.
Hosted Severna Park Coffee Conversation
On March 14, I hosted another coffee conversation, this time in Severna Park at the Severna Park Library. We covered numerous topics, including an update on what is happening in Congress, the latest statistics on the Affordable Care Act’s impact, events in the Middle East, and immigration reform. To see information about upcoming coffee conversations, please click here.
Honored by Fort Foote Baptist Church
I was honored to be a recipient, along with Mrs. Alma Powell, wife of General Colin Powell, of the “Voice of Change” award from my home church, Fort Foote Baptist Church. I thank Pastor Lyles and all of my fellow church members for their recognition of my “exceptional leadership and devoted service to the 4th Congressional District (CD) and Fort Foote Baptist Church.”
Participated in Suitland Civic Association Women’s History Month Celebration
I enjoyed the opportunity to once again visit the Suitland Civic Association, this time to take part in their Women’s History Month celebration. It was a wonderful event where we were able to celebrate the incredible achievements of women, but also discuss the many challenges that are still ahead. We talked about the need for affordable, quality childcare, equal pay, and work/family balance. I thank President Karen Anderson for the invitation, and look forward to my next visit.
Spoke at the Maryland Building Industry Association’s 30th Annual Legislative Breakfast
Since coming to office, I have been a vocal advocate for the federal government treating the 4th CD fairly when it comes to leasing and economic development. I appreciated the opportunity to once again discuss these and other issues with the Maryland Building Industry Association (MBIA) at their annual legislative breakfast, and to hear from them about the challenges they face in doing business in Maryland and with the federal government. With our proximity to Washington, DC, economic development is so important to growing our communities, and I look forward to continuing to work with the MBIA in this effort.
For more community events photos, please visit the photo gallery on my website.
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What:
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Blastoff!: Encouraging Young People to Enter and
Stay in the STEM Fields
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When:
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Tuesday April 28, 2015
8:30 AM - 12:30 PM
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Where:
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2168 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Map It!
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What:
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Coffee Conversation
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When:
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Monday May 18, 2015
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
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Where:
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Hillcrest Heights Community Center
2300 Oxon Run Dr.
Temple Hills, MD 20748
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What:
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Coffee Conversation
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When:
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Saturday June 13,2015
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
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Where:
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Starbucks
3450 Donnell Dr.
Forestville, MD 20747
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What:
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Annual Nonprofit Forum
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When:
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Tuesday June 23, 2015
8:30 AM - 1:00 PM
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Where:
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Severna Park High School
60 Robinson Rd.
Severna Park, MD 21146
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What:
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High School and Middle School Students Plan for Future Success
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When:
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Saturday October 10, 2015
8:30 AM - 1:00 PM
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Where:
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Annapolis High School
2700 Riva Rd.
Annapolis, MD 21401
Map It!
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| Department of Labor: YouthBuild, Employment and Training Administration |
| The Employment and Training Administration (ETA), U.S. Department of Labor (DOL or Department), announces the availability of approximately $76 million in grant funds authorized by the YouthBuild provisions of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) (Pub. L. 113-128). It is the Department’s intention to align this Announcement with pending WIOA regulations. Under this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) (formerly known as a Solicitation for Grant Applications), DOL will award grants through a competitive process to organizations to oversee the provision of education, occupational skills training, and employment services to disadvantaged youth in their communities while performing meaningful work and service to their communities. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2015, DOL hopes to serve approximately 4,950 participants during the grant period of performance, with approximately 76 projects awarded across the country. Individual grants will range from $700,000 to $1.1 million and require an exact 25 percent match from applicants, using sources other than federal funding. The grant period of performance for this FOA is 40 months, including a four-month planning period. |
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Sincerely,
Donna
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Washington, D.C. Office
2445 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
202-225-8699 main
202-225-8714 fax
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Prince George's County Office
5001 Silver Hill Road, Suite 106
Suitland, Maryland 20746
301-516-7601 main
301-516-7608 fax
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Anne Arundel County Office
877 Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard
Ritchie Court Office Building, Unit 101
Severna Park, MD 21146
410-421-8061 main
410-421-8065 fax
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