The mass shootings in Atlanta and Boulder were far from the first--but they can and must be the last. Too many children are still worrying and wondering “When will this madness end?” This time, let’s give them the answer they deserve: today.
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of school meals--and exposed the need to ensure every child can access them at all times, at no cost.
Arriving now at the intersection of gender-based violence and racism, we must confront our history—our words and actions as a country—and work towards the eradication of white supremacy through a community-centered approach. Our children are watching and right now they’re seeing the cruel attacks, the fear, and the angry words.
Families, workers, and children need at least $15 an hour or more not because working is connected to their worth or that people have to work to feel worthy, but because it is the morally and economically humane thing to do for our nation. It’s an investment in our neighbors, our children, and our families--for now and for the future.
The American Dream and Promise Act of 2021 and the Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2021 would create more pathways to citizenship and promote family unity.
Today, Congress took the final step to pass the American Rescue Plan Act, which President Biden is expected to subsequently sign into law. The $1.9 trillion relief package, for which President Biden’s proposal served as the foundation, marks a bold step forward in the fight for our children’s future. The American Rescue Plan Act will provide immediate relief for children and families, work to address the racial and economic injustices that COVID-19 has exacerbated, and take a long overdue step to address our nation’s shameful child poverty crisis, cutting child poverty in half in 2021.
The Children’s Defense Fund will fight to make these changes to the Child Tax Credit permanent and to continue make improvements. We believe this is crucial to our vision of a nation where marginalized children flourish, leaders prioritize their well-being, and communities wield the power to ensure they thrive.
The first step toward eliminating housing insecurity is adequately investing in federal housing assistance and making housing assistance a mandatory program not subject to budget caps or cuts.