Valuing Legal Services for People in Poverty
At the end of May, the Biden/Harris administration released its budget for FY22. Continuing the theme that emerged with the American Rescue Plan that President Biden signed in March and the American Jobs Plan and American Families Plan legislation he introduced in April, the new budget highlights the ways that the new administration is working to ease the burden of poverty on some of the country’s most vulnerable communities.
It’s a significant change in tone, not only from the administration immediately prior to this one but to several previous presidential administrations. It’s been decades since a U.S. President has focused on strengthening our nation’s social safety net, rather than weakening it thread by thread. And for those of us who have been on the front lines of advocating for laws and policies that help people living in poverty, rather than hurting them, it’s refreshing.
We thought we’d focus on one aspect of the President’s budget because it symbolizes this important sea change: its support of legal services and civil legal aid. (more…)
MLRI Applauds the American Rescue Plan Act
Last month, President Biden signed the $1.9 Trillion American Rescue Plan Act. The law will not only provide much-needed support to the American people as we all continue to manage hardships related to the COVID-19 pandemic, it will also lead to a substantial reduction in poverty in this country.
The American Rescue Plan Act recognizes a fundamental reality – this pandemic has been particularly difficult on already vulnerable individuals and families. People living in poverty, Black and Brown communities, and immigrant families all have suffered disproportionately from COVID-19. The rescue plan means more resources and opportunities for those communities, which will in turn mean better public health and economic outcomes for all of us – because we are one society, one economy – and collective success and opportunity benefits everyone.
In particular, the new law – which was introduced by President Biden on the first day he assumed the Presidency and finally passed by the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate in March – will have a tremendously positive impact on child poverty in this country. (more…)