Working to reduce gun violence; Help to avoid eviction or foreclosure

While there may be disagreement about the causes of the recent increase in gun violence, the most important task is to fight this fire with every tool we have. We need every level of government — federal, state and local — to help, and we also need the community to get more involved. First, here are some of the key actions I have taken as your U.S. representative:

• Voted for two House-passed bills that would save lives — universal background checks for gun buyers, and closing the "Charleston loophole." I have voted for these bills in two different sessions of Congress — the Senate needs to join the House in acting on them. No one law would prevent 100% of shootings, but I believe these two bills would save some lives.
• Voted for policing reform — and federal funding to help cities keep police on the streets. I voted for the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, another bill that deserves Senate action. (Click here to read more about it.)
• Introduced and co-led more legislation that would make a difference. Sen. Bob Casey and I have introduced our Resources for Victims of Gun Violence Act. I'm also a co-lead sponsor of Congressman Adam Schiff's bill to repeal a 2005 law that gives gun manufacturing companies and dealers near-total immunity from lawsuits.
• Pushing for action and seeking answers. I've written letters recently to President Joe Biden, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland and Mayor Jim Kenney calling for more federal help to reduce gun violence in Philadelphia, a request the mayor supports, and asking questions about the city's own response. The mayor responded with an outline of actions his administration has taken, and while I welcome that, the situation in our neighborhoods shows that more must be done.

However, I believe federal action is not enough -- we will also need action at the state and local levels, and from the community. You can read more in my recent op-ed in the Philadelphia Tribune.

Help to avoid eviction or foreclosure

Last night, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the Biden administration's national eviction moratorium. While I am disappointed in this ruling, I want Philadelphia renters and homeowners to know that help is still available!

If you are at risk of eviction: call 311 or (215) 686-8686, or visit PhlRentAssist.org for more information and to apply for federally funded rental assistance. That website also has information for landlords.

If you are at risk of foreclosure, you can:

• Call the Save Your Home Philly Hotline, operated by Philadelphia Legal Assistance: 215-334-HOME (4663) between 9AM-5PM Monday through Friday.
• Find more information at Philadelphia Legal Assistance's website.
• Click here to sign up for updates on the Pennsylvania Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF), which is scheduled to launch in late fall. HAF will use $350 million in American Rescue Plan funding I voted for to prevent mortgage delinquency, foreclosures, utility shutoffs and the loss of homes.
• Find more information in this recent Philadelphia Inquirer article about options for struggling homeowners.

House passes voting rights protections and Build Back Better blueprint

I was proud to vote for two major pieces of legislation this week: the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, and a budget resolution that would enable passage of a big and bold "Build Back Better" plan through simple majority in the Senate.

I'm an original co-sponsor of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. I believe it would restore the full protections of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and keep the promise of our democracy for all Americans, at a time when many states are passing voting restrictions. I have called for the Senate to act on this vital legislation, including making an exception to the filibuster for voting rights legislation such as this.

The budget resolution clears the way for passing what I believe would be transformative investments in the health, well-being and financial security of America's workers and families, a plan that would keep the promise that President Biden and I made to "Build Back Better" after the Covid pandemic.

The plan would make major investments in child care, tax cuts for families and workers, education, paid family and medical leave, health care, tackling climate change, affordable housing and immigration. It would also work to restore tax fairness and rein in prescription drug costs. You can read more about the plan here.

Evening & weekend phone hours: To serve you better, my Philadelphia office has expanded our telephone hours for constituents who have difficulty calling during normal work hours. If you need help with a federal issue, you can reach the office by phone (215-276-0340) on Wednesday evenings from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. You can also email the office by clicking here or fill out a federal privacy form for help with your case (if needed) by clicking here.

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