Levin invites Aqeela Muntaqim to raise awareness about American Rescue Plan provisions for mothers as virtual guest to President Biden’s Joint Address to Congress 100 days into administration
WARREN, MI – Today Congressman Andy Levin (MI-09) announced his virtual guest for President Joe Biden's first Joint Address to Congress. Rep. Levin has invited Aqeela Muntaqim, Deputy Director of the non-profit advocacy organization Mothering Justice and a mother of four young children in Macomb County.
"The American Rescue Plan represents an unprecedented stimulus package targeted to those who need it most, working families," said Rep. Levin. "Through her work with Mothering Justice and as a mother of young children, Aqeela knows firsthand how much the American Rescue Plan will help our Michigan moms through monthly direct payments to parents via the child tax credit; helping moms get back into the workforce with child care funds for families and providers; increasing funding for schools and their nutrition assistance programs and much, much more. Aqeela and Mothering Justice have been great partners in helping us educate our Macomb and Oakland families about the American Rescue Plan, and I'm honored to have her join me for the virtual address."
"This pandemic has shed light on the deeply rooted racism and gender inequalities in the American economy, said Aqeela Muntaqim, Deputy Director of Mothering Justice. "Mothering Justice is uplifting the narratives of Black and Indigenous Mamas, caregivers, and other mothers while providing them with the tools and resources they need to understand how to push for much needed policy change in this country. Our next virtual event, the Mamas' March, coming up on May 19th will do just that. It is important for mothers to understand the many benefits of the American Rescue Plan's focus on families and mothers. I look forward to hearing more about the American Jobs and Families Act in President Biden's Joint Address as we push for equitable policies."
The Joint Address, which is President Biden's first speech to a Joint Session of Congress, marks 100 days of the President's first term. In the past, members of Congress have often invited constituents to join them as guests for such speeches. While COVID-19 safety protocols mean this year's in-person attendance will be limited, Rep. Levin said inviting Ms. Muntaqim as his virtual guest is an important way to honor the people of Macomb and Oakland Counties by uplifting their stories.
THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN: HELP IS HERE
100 Days into Congress's work with President Biden, the American Rescue Plan is delivering shots in arms, money in pockets, children in schools and people in jobs.
SHOTS IN ARMS
- The United States has administered more than 215 million vaccine doses and counting. More than 85 million Americans are fully vaccinated. Half of the adults in the U.S. have received at least one dose. [HERE]
- Michigan has administered nearly seven million vaccine doses and just under three million Michiganders are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. [HERE]
- The American Rescue Plan also recently sent $133 million to Michigan Community Health Centers to help them distribute vaccines. [HERE]
- A stunning 88.6% of children in Michigan's Ninth Congressional district will gain from the expanded and improved Child Tax Credit—129,200 children in total, lifting 6,000 children out of poverty. [HERE]
- About 159 million stimulus payments have made their way into the hands of hardworking Americans with most eligible families receiving $1,400 per family member. [HERE]
- The American Rescue Plan provides more than $21.5 billion in emergency rental assistance to help millions of families keep up on their rent and remain in their homes.
- 1.3 million Michiganders are able to pay their bills due to unemployment benefits extended by the American Rescue Plan, including the extra $300 per week.[HERE]
- The American Rescue Plan sent $3.5 billion to Michigan schools to help them safely reopen, stay open safely and make up for lost learning time.
- The American Rescue Plan also recently sent $1.1 billion to Michigan to help keep childcare providers on the job and lower costs for working families.
- Michigan is receiving over $10 billion in state and local funding from the American Rescue Plan to help local governments respond to the pandemic and avoid budget shortfalls, keeping essential workers on the job.
Source:https://andylevin.house.gov/media/press-releases/levin-uplifts-macomb-county-mom-and-advocate-aqeela-muntaqim-virtual-guest
