Congresswoman Norton's Weekly eNewsletter
Congresswoman Norton has resumed her weekly e-newsletter summarizing significant actions of the prior week. Catch up on what you might have missed.
Norton Invites D.C. Residents to Her Telephone Town Hall on Coronavirus Health and Economic Crisis, Today
Congresswoman Norton will hold a District of Columbia Telephone Town Hall on Tuesday, April 14th at 6:00-7:00 p.m. to hear from residents and to discuss services available to residents during the coronavirus, including unemployment benefits, one-time direct payments of up to $1,200 for eligible individuals and small business loans. Norton also will address whether D.C. will become the next coronavirus hot spot, the disproportionate impact the coronavirus has had on African Americans and her priorities for the fourth coronavirus response bill, including the $750 million the District lost in the third coronavirus response bill, written by the Republican Senate, which deliberately denied these funds due the District. To respond to questions from residents, Norton will be joined by representatives from federal and local agencies.
Norton Speaks Out on Social Distancing, Balance Needed with Safe Activities to Get People Moving
Congresswoman Norton released the following statement urging authorities to guide residents better on activities consistent with staying home and practicing social distancing during the coronavirus crisis:
"Most of the directives and advice from authorities have understandably been for people to stay at home, or for closure of public spaces and group activities. This approach is essential to the social distancing necessary to stop the spread of the coronavirus, but as public officials, we also have a responsibility to suggest positive activities people can do at home or close to home to take care of their minds and bodies while respecting social distancing guidelines. For example, I take a 30-minute walk around my neighborhood every evening, walking where safe, in wide-open uncrowded spaces to get exercise and to keep from feeling cooped up. Our advice always begins with staying at home to keep safe from the coronavirus, but this can be done with some balance, by not only advising people about what not to do, but also what is safe to do. I hope the federal government continues to provide such guidance."
Norton Thanks Raskin, 97 House Members for Letter Supporting D.C. Coronavirus Funding Fix
Congresswoman Norton thanked Representative Jamie Raskin (D-MD) for leading a letter with 97 other House members calling on House leadership to retroactively fix the treatment of the District of Columbia as a territory instead of a state in the state stabilization fund in the third coronavirus response bill, which deprived the District of $750 million. The letter notes that the District is almost always treated as a state for federal funding because the District, unlike the territories, pays the same federal taxes as states. The letter further notes that the District pays more in federal taxes than 22 states.
Norton Encouraged that Rising Voices for Fourth Coronavirus Response Bill Will Help Recoup Funds for D.C.
As Congresswoman Norton works on components she wants in a fourth coronavirus response bill, she said she was encouraged when Janet Yellen, the former chair of the Federal Reserve, said in a Democratic Caucus conference call that a fourth bill is necessary. Yellen mentioned the need for, among other things, funds for state and local governments and increased SNAP benefits.
Norton Asks for Funding for DHS Headquarters Consolidation at St. Elizabeths in Fourth Coronavirus Response Bill
Congresswoman Norton requested funding in the fourth coronavirus response bill for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Headquarters consolidation project at the St. Elizabeths West Campus in the District of Columbia. This consolidation is the largest federal project in the country and, given the work that has already been done on the site, is ripe for inclusion in a bill focused on economic stimulus.
Norton Releases Federal Bureau of Prisons Response after Agency Visits Hope Village at Her Request
Congresswoman Norton released a letter from the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) informing her that BOP had conducted an unannounced site visit to Hope Village, the men's halfway house in the District of Columbia, as Norton had requested. At Norton's request, BOP conducted the site visit after two Hope Village residents died there recently. BOP reports that no residents at Hope Village appeared to have been neglected and that the facility and the residents had adequate supplies, food and other necessities. BOP said that it is working to transfer all eligible and appropriate residents to home confinement, as Norton requested. Norton reiterated her urgent call to release to home confinement all eligible Hope Village residents.
Norton Asks BOP for Contingency Plan for D.C. Returning Citizens After Hope Village Contract Expires at End of Month
Congresswoman Norton released the letter she sent to the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) asking for its plan for individuals returning to the District of Columbia from BOP prisons, after Hope Village, the men's halfway house in D.C., informed Norton that it would not seek an extension or renewal of its contract with BOP after it expires on April 30, 2020. Hope Village is the largest federally contracted men's halfway house in the country and houses both BOP and D.C. Department of Corrections inmates. D.C. Code felons are the only local inmates regularly housed by BOP.
Norton Reports on Briefing of Committee on Oversight and Reform on Women's Rights in Afghanistan
Congresswoman Norton participated in a conference call briefing of the Committee on Oversight and Reform on women's rights in Afghanistan. The briefing, Norton said, conducted by the Office of the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), showed the importance of women's rights as a barometer of social progress in Afghanistan. Norton appreciated the briefing, particularly considering the 14-month withdrawal plan of the Trump Administration. "The United States must not commit to everlasting presence in Afghanistan, but I am not encouraged by the stalemate among Afghanistan governmental entities today," Norton said.
Norton Calls for Closure of Jefferson and Lincoln Memorials During the Coronavirus
Congresswoman Norton sent a letter to the Acting Director of the National Park Service (NPS), David Vela, requesting the closure of the chambers of the Jefferson and Lincoln Memorials after reports that crowds had been forming at the sites. Norton said her letter was motivated by concern for the safety of the general public and NPS employees during the coronavirus.