Rep. Susie Lee, NSEA Call for Action to Help Children During COVID-19

Statement

U.S. Rep. Susie Lee (Nev.-03) hosted a Facebook Live roundtable with the Nevada State Education Association (NSEA) to discuss the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic--and the failed response that followed--on children and young students.

"The greatest motivation to come together to pass coronavirus relief is our children," said Rep. Lee. "Obviously, the safe reopening of our schools is a top priority, but protecting and caring for young Americans goes well beyond the classroom. This pandemic has affected families' access to housing, nutrition, child care, health care, and other services that can be the difference between life and death for many Nevadans. It's been over 100 days since the House of Representatives passed the Heroes Act, which would get critical support to our kids, families, and schools. The gridlock and partisanship in Congress are infuriating. If there was ever a reason to come together to finally pass a comprehensive relief package, it's our children. Let's get this done."

BACKGROUND:

The Heroes Act Supports Children

On May 15, 2020, the House of Representatives passed the Heroes Act, which would provide critical support to children, families, and schools struggling to reopen safely due to the administration's failed COVID-19 response, including:

-Providing $90 billion for the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund for Education for grants to states to support elementary and secondary schools and public postsecondary institutions, including the following:

-Nearly $58 billion for K-12 schools to continue delivering instruction, including purchasing education technology and hotspot devices, planning and implementing summer learning, professional development, and maintaining school personnel employment.

-Providing $7 billion for child care providers: The bill provides $7 billion for child care providers to serve individuals who are required to work during the public health emergency or to stay afloat during temporary closures, as well as providing childcare facilities with tuition relief.

-Increasing the maximum Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit level by 15 percent through September 2021.

-Adding $1.1 billion for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) through September 2020.

-Providing $20 million for CAPTA Title I and $20 million in CAPTA Title II to help state and local communities in their efforts to prevent child abuse and neglect because of the pandemic.

Supporting Child Care

On Aug. 19, Rep. Lee and U.S. Sen. Jacky Rosen (Nev.) hosted a roundtable with representatives of several Nevada child care organizations to discuss the need for child care support during the coronavirus pandemic.

Reps. Susie Lee and Pete Stauber (R-Minn.-08) introduced the bipartisan Small Business Child Care Investment Act, which would grant non-profit child care providers access to the same types of Small Business Administration (SBA) loans available to for-profit businesses.

Rep. Lee is a co-sponsor of the Child Care for Economic Recovery Act, which provides ongoing federal investments and tax subsidies for working families, employers, and states, including making the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC) refundable. This bill was included as part of the Heroes Act.

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