Thread by @BlackmanDNA

Aside from Stimulus checks, here’s how H.R. 1319, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 is a critical step in getting the U.S. economy back on track, getting children back to school, getting COVID-19 vaccinations to all Americans, and pulling millions out of poverty. 👇

Specifically, there are provisions within the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Agriculture that reduce hunger across the country, strengthen the food supply chain, invest in rural America, and provide long awaited support to underserved, socially disadvantaged farmers. 👇

#FoodOnTable 🇺🇸 as many as 30 million adults and 12 million children may not always have access to nutritious food. The American Rescue Plan provides bold solutions that work toward the goal of ending food insecurity by providing: 👉

#FoodOnTable 🇺🇸 Access to the Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) program available for the duration of the health emergency, including through the summer, to allow families with children receiving school meals to purchase healthy food more easily during the pandemic.

#FoodOnTable 🇺🇸 An extension to the 15 percent increase in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for all participants through September 30, 2021, or about $27 per month per person, with $1.15 billion allocated for the cost of state administrative expenses.

#FoodOnTable 🇺🇸 Investments in technological improvements to expand access for families to use their SNAP benefits to purchase groceries safely online.

#FoodOnTable 🇺🇸 $880 million to deliver expanded access to more fruits and vegetables for moms and babies and investments in innovation to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).

#FoodOnTable 🇺🇸 👉 37 million for senior nutrition through the Commodity Supplemental Food Program; and 👉 $1 billion in nutrition assistance for the territories.

Strengthening the #FoodSupplyChain 🇺🇸 To respond to disruptions in the food supply chain caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the American Rescue Plan makes long-term investments to increase the resiliency of the food supply in the future: 👇

Strengthening #FoodSupplyChain 🇺🇸
Increases food available for distribution through food banks, nonprofits, or restaurants to help feed families in need and at the same time supports farmers by purchasing their products.

Strengthening #FoodSupplyChain 🇺🇸
Provides grants and loans to reimburse or purchase personal protective equipment, test kits, and other measures to keep essential food workers safe.

Strengthening #FoodSupplyChain 🇺🇸
Invests in infrastructure and retooling support for food processors, farmers markets, food banks, local food systems, and producers to build resiliency in the food supply for the long term.

Strengthening #FoodSupplyChain 🇺🇸
Funds the monitoring of COVID-19 in animals and reduces overtime inspection fees paid by small meat and poultry processors, supporting livestock and animal health.

#SupportingFarmersOfColor 🇺🇸 For generations black/brown farmers have struggled to fully succeed due to systemic discrimination and a cycle of debt. COVID-19 infection rates led to loss of property, hospitalizations, death, and economic hurt amongst socially disadvantaged groups

#SupportingFarmersOfColor 🇺🇸 $4 billion toward debt relief for socially disadvantaged farmers to pay off burdensome debts that have prevented many farmers of color from making a living or taking advantage of opportunities to grow or explore value-added strategies. 🖤

#SupportingFarmersOfColor 🇺🇸 $1.01 billion in funding to USDA to create a racial equity commission & address longstanding discrimination across USDA by investing in land access, outreach, education, assistance overcoming barriers to access to USDA programs, & business development

#RestoringRuralAmerica 🇺🇸
COVID-19 has DEVASTATED Rural 🇺🇸. Families have lost their homes, students lack broadband access to schoolwork online, the need for food has been at an all-time high, and access to COVID-19 testing and vaccinations have been limited. 👇

#RestoringRuralAmerica 🇺🇸 $500 million in Community Facility Program funds to help rural hospitals and local communities broaden access to COVID-19 vaccines & food assistance; and $100 million through September 2022 in rental assistance for low-income and elderly borrowers.

#RestoringRuralAmerica 🇺🇸 $39 million through September 2023 to help refinance direct loans under the Single-Family Housing Loan Program and the Single-Family Housing Repair Loans & Grants.

In addition to programs facilitated by USDA, the American Rescue Plan provides significant investments into rural communities by expanding internet connectivity and establishing a homeowner assistance fund to assist struggling homeowners with mortgage payments... 👉

...property taxes, property insurance, utilities and other housing related costs. Here are the details for #CivicCommunityInfrastructure 👇

#BroadbandAccess – $7.2 billion through the establishment of an Emergency Connectivity Fund. The fund provides support to eligible schools and organizations to provide eligible connected devices, internet service, and hotspots to students and teachers for internet use at home.

#LowIncomeHomeEnergyAssistanceProgram (LIHEAP) – $4.5 billion to help families afford home heating and cooling costs.
#FederalTransitAdministration – $30 billion to assist with operating costs, including payroll and personal protective equipment.

#ChildCareEntitlement for States – $3.55 billion per year, of which $100 million shall be available for tribal organizations and $75 million shall be available for grants to territories.
#ChildCareDevelopment Block Grant Program– $15 billion in funding through September 30, 2021.

#ChildCareStabilization – $24 billion to approved agencies, to award subgrants to qualified child care providers that are either open and available to provide services or closed for reasons related to COVID-19. Allowable uses include personnel expenses, cleaning supplies and...

... personal protective equipment, and mental health supports. Providers receiving funds must make certain certifications, including following CDC guidelines, paying full employee compensation, and providing tuition relief to families in need of assistance.

Hope this message s helpful. 👍🏾🙏🏾