Uplifting Our Families

It's no secret that the Rochester community faces alarmingly high rates of poverty—especially childhood poverty. In fact, more than 50% of children under 18 in the city of Rochester are impacted by poverty and are faced with a myriad of challenges and barriers that stand in the way of the reaching their full potential.

We cannot stand idly by as more and more families fall into the devastating cycle of poverty. We can—and we must—work together as a community and take a comprehensive, holistic approach to uplift families in need and empower them with the tools to be successful. That means addressing the need for higher wages, affordable housing, universal childcare, nutritious meals, quality healthcare, criminal justice reforms, and so much more to truly help families become self-sufficient.

Legislation alone cannot solve the deeply entrenched poverty our community and so many others across the nation face every day—but it can play an important role in helping to foster an environment in which families have the tools and resources to thrive. That's why I've co-sponsored a package of bills to move us one step closer to finally breaking the cycle of poverty:

H.R. 603 The Raise the Wage Act
To gradually raise the minimum wage to $15 in 2024 and index future minimum wage increases to median wage growth. The Congressional Budget Office estimates it would lift 1.3 million people out of poverty, including 600,000 children.

H.R. 928 The American Family Act
To 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. Poverty among children would fall from 14.8 percent to 9.5 percent, meaning 4 million kids would escape poverty.

H.R. 2573 The Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act
To expand and strengthen the Affordable Housing Tax Credit (also known as the Low Income Housing Tax Credit) to produce more units of affordable housing and better serve a number of at-risk and underserved communities.

H.R. 2817 Childcare for Working Families Act
To guarantee childcare 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.

H.R. 4077 Closing The Meal Gap Act
To bolster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and better support families relying on the program.

H.R. 3115 Universal School Meals Program
To provide free meals to all students, regardless of income level, and ensure no student goes hungry.

H.R. 1783 Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act
To ensure all Americans have access to broadband internet to participate fully in today's society.