Congress

Last week, Congressman Dwight Evans (Philadelphia and Montgomery County) introduced the Health Communities Act of 2018, a bill which will help cut down on the amount of health disparities and ensure that research is balanced and more effective.

I have long viewed House Speaker Paul Ryan as an impediment to tackling the issue of poverty in our neighborhoods. As a member of the House Agriculture Committee I am more than disappointed to share that the work requirement rules surrounding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) were an idea of Speaker Ryan's. I represent a district with a poverty rate of nearly 26%.

Today, Congressman Bob Brady (PA-01), Congressman Brendan Boyle (PA-13), Congressman Dwight Evans (PA-02), Mayor Jim Kenney, City Council President Darrell L. Clarke, Councilwoman Jannie L. Blackwell and Sister Mary Scullion joined together at Project HOME's Ruth Williams House at the Gene & Marlene Epstein Building, to highlight the need for federal funding to support critical safety net programs including: affordable housing, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and education programs that are under attack in the Trump budget.

Today, Congressman Dwight Evans (Philadelphia and Montgomery County) testified before Philadelphia City Council's Hearing of the Committee on Legislative Oversight. Councilman Kenyatta Johnson is the chair of the committee. The hearing, "Examining Racial Disparities In Home Lending, Also Known As Modern-Day Red-lining" was a chance for Congressman Evans to speak out against the harmful practice of predatory lending.

Today, Congressman Dwight Evans (Philadelphia and Montgomery County) joined with farmers, small business owners, seniors, food policy advocates and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients at Reading Terminal Market to highlight the critical role SNAP plays in our city and region and oppose any cuts to the program.

This week, Congressman Dwight Evans (Philadelphia and Montgomery County) released the following the House passage of FY 2018 spending bill.

"My top priorities are to support programs that reduce poverty, stimulate economic growth and create good-paying jobs in Philadelphia and across our Commonwealth," Congressman Evans said.

Here are a few of the programs included in the bill I voted for:

Congressman Dwight Evans (PA-02); Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, Jerrold Nadler (NY-10); Pennsylvania Attorney General, Josh Shapiro; Philadelphia District Attorney, Larry Krasner; Chief Defender of the Defender Association of Philadelphia, Keir Grey; Chairman of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus, Rep.

Today, Congressman Dwight Evans (PA-02) and Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11) introduced legislation to reauthorize the Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI). The Healthy Food Financing Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2018 authorizes $125 million to provide loans, grants and financing opportunities for food retailers, farmers markets, cooperatives and others who face barriers to carrying and selling fresh fruits and vegetables.