Human Rights & Equal Opportunity
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Congressman Brian Higgins announced the approval of H.R. 4995, the Maternal Health Quality Improvement Act of 2020. The bill seeks to resolve disparities in access to maternal healthcare among rural and minority populations.
Congressman Brian Higgins (N-26) announced the House of Representatives approved HR 5309, the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (CROWN) Act. The bill explicitly prohibits discrimination on the basis of hair texture or style, commonly experienced by Black Americans.
“Nobody should be harassed or discriminated against for wearing their natural hair or choosing a style based on cultural heritage and preferences, yet people face these biases every day,” said Higgins. “The CROWN Act solidifies in federal law that race-based hair discrimination is illegal.”
Congressman Brian Higgins provided remarks on the floor of the House of Representatives in recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month and the contributions of the Hispanic community in Western New York and across the country.
Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) announced $773,233 in federal funding provided through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded to Neighborhood Health Center of WNY, Community Health Center of Buffalo, and Jericho Road Ministries to further strengthen quality improvement activities and expand quality primary health care service delivery.
Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) joined Western New York postal workers and residents in expressing outrage and opposition to operational changes which threaten to sabotage the United States Postal Service (USPS). The community gathered in front of the William Street mail processing facility in Buffalo, as the Congressman prepares to head to Washington, DC where the House of Representatives will vote on legislation to protect and provide emergency relief to the USPS.
Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) joined a group of 89 members calling on Congressional leadership to include funding for the census in the next COVID-19 relief package, accompanied by a necessary extension to census reporting deadlines. The letter follows a recent announcement by the Census Bureau to suddenly end field data collection by September 30.
Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) announced the House of Representatives approved an appropriation package funding various government programs and operations for fiscal year 2021.
“These are challenging times for our nation,” Higgins said. “This legislation invests in our communities and builds a path to a healthier and stronger America.”
Below are highlights of the package with a focus on several aspects important to Western New York:
Transportation-Housing & Urban Development
As the late Honorable John Robert Lewis, who served in the House of Representatives for 33 years, made a final departure from Washington, D.C. on July 29, 2020, his colleagues on the House Ways and Means Committee paid tribute to the civil rights legend.
On the House floor Congressman Brian Higgins remarked on John’s childhood visits to the City of Buffalo and hailed his presence of mind and courage to act on inspiration.
Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) announced that the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will allocate funding to address housing discrimination in Western New York through the Fair Housing Initiatives Program.
Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) announced passage of H.R. 7120, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2020. The bill, cosponsored by Higgins, advances comprehensive and substantial policies to increase police accountability, add public transparency, re-build trust in our communities and save lives.