HOUSE DEMS RALLY ACROSS COUNTRY, DEMAND SUPPORT FOR LOCAL SCHOOLS

Sep 4, 2020
Press Release

 

  DPCC

HOUSE DEMS RALLY ACROSS COUNTRY, DEMAND SUPPORT FOR LOCAL SCHOOLS

More than 60 House Democrats Held Day of Action Events Demanding Senate Act to Support Safe School Reopening, Prevent Education Cuts

100+ Days Have Passed Since House Democrats Passed Support for Local Schools in the Heroes Act, But Mitch McConnell and Senate Refuse to Act

(Washington, D.C.) – More than 60 House Democrats answered House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s call for a Day of Action For the Children this week, holding events across the country. Members demanded the Senate work with the House to provide the funding experts say is needed to: safely reopen schools; make sure state and local governments can pay teachers; crush the virus with testing, tracing and treatment; and keep kids from going hungry and prevent their families from losing their homes.

The House passed the Heroes Act, which included funding to support local schools amid the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 100 days ago. But the Republican Senate Leader Mitch McConnell has refused to act.

Without support, many schools across the country cannot afford to take necessary safety measures.

  • For example, according to a recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, 4 in 10 districts need to update or replace HVAC systems in at least half of their school buildings. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) school reopening guidance lists proper ventilation as a key consideration for schools seeking to reopen safely. 

Additionally, COVID-19 has devastated state and local budgets across the country, threatening possible cuts to schools that could harm their ability to educate children.

  • Without the Heroes Act, budget shortfalls are projected to reach nearly $500 billion for state governments alone. By July, 900,000 public school employees had already lost their jobs, and the American Federation of Teachers issued a report projecting over 1.4 million public school employee layoffs without federal action.

 

More than 60 House Democrats Held Day of Action Events Demanding Senate Act to Support Safe School Reopening, Prevent Education Cuts

  1. Speaker Nancy Pelosi: Remarks at Press Event on Day of Action For The Children
  2. Leader Steny Hoyer: Hoyer, Brown Lead Virtual Conversation on the Impact of COVID-29 on Maryland Children
  3. Caucus Chair Hakeem Jeffries: Instagram Live video with Chair of the NYC Council Commission on Education Councilman Mark Treyger
  4. Caucus Vice Chair Katherine Clark: Students can’t wait. Parents can’t wait. Teachers can’t wait.
  5. Education and Labor Chairman Bobby Scott: Roundtable on Safely Reopening Schools with Parents, Teachers, Students, School Support Staff & Health Experts
  6. DPCC CoChair Matt Cartwright: Cartwright Urges Senate to Negotiate and Pass Heroes Act to Help Schools Reopen Safely Amid Pandemic
  7. DPCC CoChair Debbie Dingell: Dingell Visits Local Schools, Distributes Meals & Chromebooks
  8. DPCC CoChair Ted Lieu: REPS LIEU, LEE, CÁRDENAS, ROUDA, DEMAND SUPPORT FOR LOCAL SCHOOLS TO KEEP KIDS SAFE AND LEARNING
  9. Rep. Alma Adams: Rep. Adams Presents a Virtual Town Hall on School Reopening During COVID-19
  10. Rep. Pete Aguilar: Discussion with local experts and advocates about the importance of providing resources for our students and young people during the crisis
  11. Rep. Nanette Barragán: Leaders call on federal government for $300 billion to help schools during pandemic
  12. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici: Roundtable with small business owners in her community who also need childcare during this pandemic
  13. Rep. Brendan Boyle: Philadelphia Federation of Teachers press conference featuring Rep. Brendan Boyle, Mayor Jim Kenney and others
  14. Rep. Anthony Brown: Virtual roundtable discussion with Leader Hoyer and social service leaders on how we can best support our children during this pandemic
  15. Rep. Cheri Bustos: Conversation with local teachers to learn what they’re facing as they head back to school
  16. Rep. Tony Cárdenas: Regional Press Call: REPS LIEU, LEE, CÁRDENAS, ROUDA, DEMAND SUPPORT FOR LOCAL SCHOOLS TO KEEP KIDS SAFE AND LEARNING
  17. Rep. Kathy Castor: Townhall on e-learning and digital access in Hillsborough County and Florida
  18. Rep. Charlie Crist: Rep. Charlie Christs Meets with Doctor at University Of South Florida previously trapped overseas due to the crisis
  19. Rep. Henry Cuellar: Rep. Henry Cuellar Press Conference on Reopening Schools
  20. Rep. Susan Davis: SDUSD Joins Congressional Leaders to Urge Senate to Pass $3T Stimulus Bill
  21. Rep. Rosa DeLauro: Rosa DeLauro (opinion): Senate must join House in passing aid for schools
  22. Rep. Suzan DelBene: Rep. DelBene speaks with County Superintendents on the Impact of COVID-19 on reopening schools
  23. Rep. Mark DeSaulnier: Rep. DeSaulnier talks about ensuring children have the bright future they deserve
  24. Rep. Veronica Escobar: Meeting with PTA and parent leaders from each school district in TX-16 about how remote learning is going and what concerns they have
  25. Rep. Adriano Espaillat: Rep. Espaillat Discusses Reopening Schools Safely in his District
  26. Rep. Bill Foster: Facebook Live panel with local education leaders and students
  27. Rep. Lois Frankel: Rep. Lois Frankel met with local leaders, school staff, and parents to discuss the need for HEROES Act funding to help struggling schools due to COVID
  28. Rep. Sylvia Garcia: Event in Aldine focused on children, and urging the Senate GOP to pass the HEROES Act including money for schools and nutrition services
  29. Rep. Al Green: Congressman Al Green Hosts “For the Children Day of Action” Free Drive-Thru School Supply and Mask Distribution at Westbury HS
  30. Rep. Raúl Grijalva: Zoom roundtable with parents, teachers and other education stakeholders
  31. Rep. Deb Haaland: Instagram Live Conversation with Local AFT Executive Director
  32. Rep. Jahana Hayes: A Teacher and Congresswoman Confronts School Reopenings
  33. Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton: Regional Press Call: Norton, Scott Demand Support for Local Schools to Keep Kids Safe and Learning
  34. Rep. Steven Horsford: Congressman Steven Horsford Joins Teachers, Students, and Parents to Discuss Challenges in Education During COVID-19 
  35. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson: Congresswoman Johnson Hosts Virtual Round Table to Discuss COVID-19 Preparedness for Upcoming School Year
  36. Rep. Robin Kelly: Virtual conversation with state and local education leaders about the challenges of going back to school and need for Heroes Act passage
  37. Rep. Dan Kildee: Congressman Dan Kildee Urges Senate to Pass The Heroes Act to Provide Relief to Students, Teachers and Schools
  38. Rep. Derek Kilmer: Rep. Kilmer Hears from local leaders about the need to support our teachers and schools
  39. Rep. Ron Kind: Ron Kind calls for educator assistance amid start of school
  40. Rep. Susie Lee: Rep. Susie Lee calling for action to help children during pandemic
  41. Rep. Barbara Lee: Regional Press Call: REPS LIEU, LEE, CÁRDENAS, ROUDA, DEMAND SUPPORT FOR LOCAL SCHOOLS TO KEEP KIDS SAFE AND LEARNING
  42. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee:  Call to Action for Children Event
  43. Rep. Mike Levin: Rep. Mike Levin to Lead Discussion with Local Educators and Parents on School Re-Opening Challenges
  44. Rep. Andy Levin: Rep. Levin, MEA President Herbart, AFT President Hecker Host Day of Action for the Children Press Conference with Local Education Leaders on Lack of COVID-19 Relief for Schools
  45. Rep. Doris Matsui: Virtual Discussion with Mayor Christopher Cabaldon, Washington Unified School District Superintendent Linda Luna, and School Board President Preston Jackson
  46. Rep. Gregory Meeks: Facebook Live town hall with Representatives from the New York Department of Education
  47. Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell: Press conference with Mindy Grimes-Festge, UTD Secretary Treasurer demanding COVID-19 funding for schools
  48. Rep. Donald Norcross: Norcross Discusses Schools Reopening with NJ Education Leaders
  49. Rep. Tom O’Halleran: O’Halleran Hosts Listening Session with Arizona Educators, School Administrators
  50. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr: Facebook Live for a Day of Action for Children
  51. Rep. Scott Peters: SDUSD Joins Congressional Leaders to Urge Senate to Pass $3T Stimulus Bill
  52. Rep. Mark Pocan: Virtual zoom press conference for Schools Day of Action
  53. Rep. Harley Rouda: Regional Press call: REPS LIEU, LEE, CÁRDENAS, ROUDA, DEMAND SUPPORT FOR LOCAL SCHOOLS TO KEEP KIDS SAFE AND LEARNING
  54. Rep. Jan Schakowsky: As Parents, Students, Teachers and School Systems Struggle to Navigate the Pandemic and Pressure to Re-Open, Schakowsky Hears from Students at Niles North High School
  55. Rep. Brad Schneider: Virtual meeting with local students from Stevenson Highschool
  56. Rep. Terri Sewell: Facebook Townhall/ Press Conference with Alabama State Superintendent addressing safely reopening Alabama schools
  57. Rep. Darren Soto: Soto Wants More Funds for Schools After Celebration Janitor Dies of COVID-19
  58. Rep. Jackie Speier: Congresswoman Speier discussion with stakeholders and parents about childcare crisis and need for HEROES Act
  59. Rep. Haley Stevens: Virtual meeting with constituent municipal leaders and educators to discuss the issue facing Michigan children as they return to school and the need for a strong relief bill
  60. Rep. Xochitl Torres Small: Meeting with school districts in Los Lunas & Belen about the different challenges, strengths, & barriers when it comes to accessing good, reliable internet
  61. Rep. Lori Trahan: Virtual discussion with Rep. Jahana Hayes and Randi Weingarten on the challenges educators face this fall
  62. Rep. David Trone: Rep. Trone with Western Maryland college presidents underlining the need for funding to help schools in Maryland and across America reopen safely
  63. Rep. Lauren Underwood: Plainfield District 202 officials show Underwood preparations for school year
  64. Rep. Juan Vargas: SDUSD Joins Congressional Leaders to Urge Senate to Pass $3T Stimulus Bill
  65. Rep. Nydia Velázquez: Rep. Velázquez joined community leaders to inform parents about what’s ahead for this school year
  66. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz: Zoom Press Call with Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers, Fed Ingram, Secretary-Treasurer of the American Federation of Teachers, Andrew Spar, President of the Florida Education Association, and Anna Fusco, President of the Broward Teachers Union
  67. Rep. Peter Welch: Welch Still Hopes For More Federal School Aid

 

###