This summer on Capitol Hill in 3 minutes or less
Hope you’ve been taking care this summer. With the big infrastructure bill that just passed the Senate yesterday, I thought you might be interested in a quick-and-dirty update about what’s been going on at Capitol Hill this summer. Let me know what you’ve had an eye on!
– Laura, TakeAction Digital Strategist
💡 INFRASTRUCTURE
Apparently, this is the biggest infrastructure bill to pass in nearly a century. It’s headed to the House now, which is on recess and likely won’t vote on it until the fall. It’s step one in Democrats’ two-step strategy: 1) pass a bipartisan bill focused on a more “traditional” understanding of infrastructure and then 2) pass a larger, more comprehensive bill via reconciliation that focuses more on “human infrastructure” (like care work), which we know is just as fundamental as roads and bridges. Here’s an explainer of what’s in the bill and the road ahead from Vox.
🌍 CLIMATE
I haven’t cried yet about the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report released Monday. But I can feel it coming. The reconciliation bill – part II of the infrastructure package – includes some major measures to cut greenhouse gas emissions and slow climate change. You can learn more in the Washington Post. The IPCC report made it clear: every little bit matters. That’s why we need to stop every infrastructure project related to fossil fuels right now – including Line 3.
✅ VOTING RIGHTS
In June, Republicans blocked version one of the For the People Act. Congress then turned their focus to infrastructure as GOP-controlled states continued slashing voting rights across the country. Now, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is expected to introduce a For the People Act 2.0 before the Senate’s summer recess. The major roadblock: still not enough votes to get rid of the filibuster. We have a choice, and we best make it soon: the filibuster or our democracy.
👶 CHILD TAX CREDIT
The latest COVID relief bill, the American Rescue Plan Act, will cut child poverty in HALF. Investments in people work. A big part of that was an expansion to the Child Tax Credit. Now advocates are pushing to make the expansion permanent. Read more about the impact of the CTC.
🏠 EVICTIONS
Kenza shared this piece in our Friday News Digest last week. Cori Bush is, indeed, a hero. ICYMI: Missouri Congresswoman Cori Bush – who has herself experienced homelessness – camped out on the Capitol steps for four days to protest the expiring eviction moratorium. Her actions had a direct impact. Biden ultimately extended the moratorium through October 3 in states with major COVID spread. Read this interview with Congresswoman Bush in The Guardian.
📚 STUDENT DEBT
Last week, Biden extended the stop on federal student loan payments through October 31. He says it’s the last extension. It’s a crucial move, but we need more to address this out-of-control burden on millions and close the racial wealth gap. Our very own Greater Minnesota organizer, DyAnna, is working with a small and mighty team of Minnesotans to #CancelStudentDebt. They’re meeting with Sen. Tina Smith’s office next week. Watch our social media for a run-down.
