Hi friend,

I hope you and your family are staying safe and healthy. I have been quite busy, here’s an update on what I’ve been working on.

I hosted a town hall that was joined by Barbara Johnson, Milwaukee’s Taxpayer Advocate and Emma Sanchez, our district office IRS liaison. I enjoyed answering your questions on the COVID-19 stimulus checks and sharing information from Emma and Barbara on how to avoid COVID-19 scams and the services available through the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS). 

I led a town hall discussion with AARP Wisconsin, where I answered questions live and we discussed COVID-19 resources for seniors along with the efforts we must continue pursuing to protect them during the pandemic.

I joined Southside Organizing Center for a forum where I discussed COVID-19 and the 2020 Census.

Legislative Updates

Last week, I traveled to Washington D.C. to vote in support of the Heroes Act, a comprehensive COVID-19 relief package that would address our public health and economic crisis. The provisions in this legislation reflect values I hold near and dear, but it's imperfect. I will continue working to improve this bill as it proceeds through the negotiation process.

I led efforts with Rep. Marcia Fudge to call for my bill, the WRCR Act, which expands and modernizes the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) to be included in the next major COVID-19 relief package. The WRCR Act would deliver real relief during these difficult times, reaching nearly half of all Americans.

Reps. Karen Bass, Robin Kelly and I are pushing for diversity and inclusion in clinical trials for COVID-19 potential vaccines using proactive efforts to reach communities who have been historically underrepresented in clinical trials.

I led with Rep. Andy Levin, along with 95 of my colleagues in calling for WIC recipients to have the flexibility to use their benefits online or over the phone to stay safe and healthy.

I joined my Wisconsin colleagues in efforts to enhance the SNAP program to meet the urgent needs of Wisconsinites and reduce food insecurity, including expanding eligibility, eliminating burdensome work requirements and increasing benefits.

My Staff and I are Here to Help

My district office has been working hard to respond to inquiries regarding IRS returns, stimulus rebates, unemployment claim questions, inquiries from small businesses, repatriation of citizens in foreign countries, and other concerns at the federal level.

My district and D.C. offices continue to follow guidance from public health officials and are working remotely. If you have a question or concern, please leave a message at 414-297-1140, as my staff checks messages regularly.

Find resources from my website to help you and your family access unemployment, housing, food, educational resources, and more. 

As our community faces this pandemic, remember that we will get through this together.  All of our collective efforts matter. Stay home as much as possible and practice physical distancing from others. And please take care of yourself and look out for others.

 Your friend,

 Gwen