Update on Community Project Funding; House-Passed Gun Reforms Await Senate Action

I wanted to let everyone know that I'm providing more information for Philadelphia nonprofits on how to apply for the new federal Community Project Funding opportunity:

• This new video from my office with many more details about the application process and the types of funding that are available. (You should be able to watch it whether or not you are a Facebook member.)
• A new resource guide from my office about the program.

April 5 is the deadline to submit a CPF request to my office. I have a page on my website dedicated to CPF and other appropriations requests.

House-Passed Gun Reforms Await Senate Action

I believe recent mass shootings in Philadelphia and around the country tragically underline the need for two gun-reform bills I voted for recently:

• universal background checks for gun buyers (H.R. 8)
• closing the Charleston loophole (H.R. 1146)

Both of these bills passed the House, as they did in 2019. Neither received Senate action in the last Congress, but I believe they should in the new Senate. I'm also co-sponsoring a bill (H.R. 1808) that would create an assault-weapons ban similar to the federal law that was in effect from 1994 to 2004. I will keep advocating for these and other gun reforms that I believe would save lives!

Following the horrific shootings in the Atlanta area, I have continued to speak out against prejudice and violence against Asian Americans. I hosted a town hall about this at the Chinatown Learning Center this week – click here to learn more.

Wednesday: Telephone Town Hall on Taxes

You're invited to my telephone town hall 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 31 about taxes. I'll be joined by several experts to discuss and answer some of your questions about:

• Recovery rebate credit filing (How to get your stimulus payment if you haven't received it)
• Free File options for filing taxes
• Earned Income Tax Credit and dependents/Child Tax Credit options for families
• How to get help with tax issues

Many residents will receive a call to join the event, or you can sign up more than an hour ahead by clicking here or by calling 888-480-3686.

I also want to share this useful guide from the city of Philadelphia on some ways the American Rescue Plan will help Philadelphia families and reduce poverty. It includes information on no-cost help with filing taxes.

Child Care Funding in the American Rescue Plan

One of the reasons I voted for the American Rescue Plan was that it includes $39 billion in funding for child care. This has been a priority for me because I know how important this is for the parents, the children and the workers. I believe child care is not a luxury, that it is a necessity for many. This week, I visited the Chinatown Learning Center to highlight this funding.

For more information, click here to read a fact sheet by the Center for Law and Social Policy.

Staying informed: To keep up with information and services between these updates, I invite you to follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram – including updates on my Facebook and Instagram Stories. If you received this newsletter as a forward, click here to start receiving it straight to your own inbox.

Sincerely,

Dwight Evans

Member of Congress