Weekly Recap: What You Might Have Missed
It was great to hear from so many of you during my tele-town hall last week — almost 9,000 of you called in! I answered questions on a wide-range of topics from COVID testing, the cost of insulin, PPP, police training, how to safely return children to school this fall, protecting the immigration status of foreign doctors and other visa holders, to unemployment compensation. I heard all of your concerns loud and clear and I will not stop fighting for the resources you need to take care of your families, workers, communities, and small businesses.
Although the region has moved to the green phase of reopening, this pandemic is not over and we must re-open with caution if we are going to stay open. Keep wearing your mask. Keep social distancing. Keep washing your hands. Thank you for everything you’re doing to keep each other safe.
Here’s how I’ve been fighting for you:
Introduced the COVID-19 Student Loan Relief Act of 2020 (CSLRA)
A college degree should not be a debt sentence, and time and time again student borrowers have been left twisting in the wind. The CSLRA would expand current bankruptcy laws to allow Americans filing for bankruptcy due to the global pandemic to discharge their student loans in the same manner as other debt.
Under current bankruptcy guidelines, student borrowers are prevented from discharging student loan debt, unlike almost every other kind of debt, prioritizing protection for banks and student loan servicers. That must change. As we navigate the challenges presented by the global health and economic crisis, Americans filing for bankruptcy due to COVID-19 must be able to discharge student loan debt, too.
Read more about my bill here: https://www.inquirer.com/business/law/mary-gay-scanlon-congress-student-loan-debt-discharge-bankruptcy-20200716.html
Read the full text of the bill here: https://scanlon.house.gov/uploadedfiles/cslra_bill.pdf
House Committees prepare for end of month voting marathon:
As the house prepares to return to DC for 2–3 intense weeks of voting, and negotiation of another round of COVID-19 relief, committees are meeting virtually to plan and hold hearings and mark up bills for floor votes. On Friday, the Rules Committee gaveled in for 12 hours of discussion and debate on bills that will be up for a vote by the end of the month:
- Senate Amendment to H.R. 1957 — Great American Outdoors Act
- H.R. 6395 — National Defense Authorization Act for 2021
- H.R. 7027 — Child Care Is Essential Act
- H.R. 7327 — Child Care for Economic Recovery Act
In addition to playing a vital role in our nation’s defense, the NDAA supports thousands of jobs in our region; Ridley is the manufacturing home of the Chinook heavy lift helicopter.
We also plan votes to protect half of the nation’s child care facilities, which are at risk of disappearing because of the pandemic. Child care is essential — Without it, schools can’t open and Americans can’t go back to work. The Child Care for Economic Recovery Act provides critical relief to working families, child care providers, and essential workers. In addition, it includes long overdue funding for child care infrastructure and offers incentives for employers to provide child care assistance.
Listen to the meeting here: https://youtu.be/wu7ODxHeb5Q
Hosted a Tele-Town Hall
I hosted our 19th town hall so I could hear directly from you. I know that this pandemic has hit families and small business in our community hard. The uncertainty and anxiety that we all are feeling is real, and I want to hear from you how the federal government can help.
Our office is always here to help and answer any questions you might have. Give us a call at 610 -626 -2020 or visit us online at scanlon.house.gov to connect with a constituent service representative.
Joined SEEMAC for food distribution site at Francis Scott Key Elementary School
Every day, I am inspired by people in our community going above and beyond to support one another during these uncertain and challenging times. Thank you to the amazing team at SEEMAC which runs a daily food distribution and COVID-19 testing site at Francis Scott Key Elementary School.
Met With Philadelphia School Officials to Discuss School Reopening Plans
Members of Philadelphia’s congressional delegation met with superintendent Hite and other school officials to discuss the districts plans for reopening. We also discussed the need for additional federal funding which delegation members will be fighting for when we return to DC.
You can find the district’s plan here: https://www.philasd.org/coronavirus/schoolstart2020/
Visited Ruth Bennett Community Farm
I made a return to Ruth Bennett Community Farm last week as a part of my farmers market tour. Ruth Bennett Community farm is an urban and organic farm providing high nutrient foods, community programming and youth mentoring to families in Chester. This year, the Community Farm is focused on food distribution efforts to fight hunger caused by the economic disruption of the pandemic. I am committed to making farmers markets a part of the solution as we work to address food insecurity and economic opportunity in our region.
Read more about my visit here: https://chesterpablog.wordpress.com/2020/07/17/the-congresswoman-visits-the-bennett-homes/
Joined neighbors and community leaders at Guns Not Peace Rally in Southwest Philly
Countless families in our region and across the country have been forever changed by gun violence. Grateful to the many community leaders, families, and members of local law enforcement who came together to demand action to save lives. It has now been over 500 days since the House passed common sense gun safety legislation, and the Senate is silent. Enough is enough. Our country cannot wait.
Philadelphia Sunday Sun: https://www.philasun.com/local/the-other-pandemic/
Joined Swarthmore residents in support of Black Lives Matter
It was moving to stand in solidarity with neighbors during this rally while also having the opportunity to share memories of Congressman John Lewis. Congressman John Lewis embodied courage, resilience, determination and kindness. He led by example and inspired others to follow. He called out evil but welcomed reconciliation. His life and his legacy will forever be the moral compass of change — a lesson in good trouble. We honor his legacy through action, by looking our toughest challenges in the eye and marching toward them, not away; by demanding better of ourselves and each other not just for now but for the future we will to the next generation.
I also want to share a running list of legislative action I am working on as we fight to increase access to equal justice, dismantle systems of hate, hold law enforcement officers accountable, and push for the adoption — and use — of unbiased policing practices. This work is ongoing and we will continue to update this list as we introduce more legislation: https://link.medium.com/HJZ1kkgs96
Remembering Congressman John Lewis
Congressman John Lewis embodied courage, resilience, determination and kindness. He led by example and inspired others to follow. He spoke with compassion and encouraged us to listen. He called out evil but welcomed reconciliation. His life and his legacy will forever be the moral compass of change — a lesson in good trouble.
But, there are moments when words will never be enough — this is one of those moments.
We honor his legacy through action, by looking our toughest challenges in the eye and marching toward them, not away; by demanding better of ourselves and each other not just for now but for the future we will to the next generation. It was a privilege to serve in Congress alongside this remarkable human being — a humble hero.
My heart is with his family, friends, staff, and those he held dear. He was, and always will be, the very best of who we are.
Changing this system will take each and every one of us. Thank you for everything you are doing to keep our community safe and healthy. As always, if you have any questions please call our office at 610 — 626 — 2020, or visit us online at https://scanlon.house.gov/.
