FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, May 12, 2020
Congressman Kildee Applauds Introduction of The Heroes Act
Bill Includes Kildee Bills to Expand Unemployment Insurance, Provide Economic Relief for Michigan’s Working Families
FLINT— Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05), Chief Deputy Whip of the House Democratic Caucus, today applauded the U.S. House of Representatives for introducing new comprehensive legislation, The Heroes Act, to help respond to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Heroes Act includes a number of key policies Congressman Kildee has advocated for, including additional direct payments to families and seniors, expanding unemployment insurance, increasing the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit, and funding to prevent water shutoffs. More information on those provisions are below:
- Supporting Workers: The Heroes Act includes additional $1,200 direct payments pushed by Congressman Kildee, as well as extended unemployment insurance benefits. Provisions from Congressman Kildee’s Strengthening Unemployment Insurance for Coronavirus Impacted Workers and Students Act that are included in the Heroes Act include:
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- Exemption of UI benefits from income to determine eligibility for other means-tested programs, such as federally assisted housing benefits (Section 8), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
- Extension of federal pandemic UI benefits ($600 per week federal benefit) through January 31, 2021 with a “soft cutoff” to allow individuals with remaining weeks of eligibility to continue receiving the benefit through March 31, 2021.
- Extension of full federal funding of extended unemployment compensation (EB) through June 30, 2021.
- Supporting Families and Children: Expands eligibility and size of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax Credit (CTC).
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- Congressman Kildee introduced H.R. 3157, the Working Families Tax Relief Act to expand the EITC and the CTC that have already been successful and effective at lifting many American families out of poverty, helping to grow the middle class and put money in the pockets of working people.
- Preventing Water Shutoffs: $1.5 billion for consumers to have affordable water in their homes to prevent shutoffs.
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- In order to follow public health guidelines to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, people must have access to water in their homes.
- On March 11, Congressman Kildee wrote a letter to House Leadership asking for funding be included to prevent water shutoffs.
“I am doing everything I can to support Michiganders during the coronavirus pandemic,” Congressman Kildee said. “The American people deserve a coordinated, fully-funded and whole-of-government response to keep them and their loved ones safe. I am pleased House Democrats have introduced this comprehensive legislation to make sure that families, seniors, students, veterans and small businesses have the resources they need to get through this unprecedented crisis.”