BEYOND THE NUMBERS
In Case You Missed It...
This week at CBPP, we focused on the federal budget, the economy, immigration, health, housing, food assistance, state budgets and taxes, and family income support.
- On the federal budget, Joel Friedman discussed how the budget resolution marks an important step toward urgently needed COVID relief. George Fenton stressed that the next relief package must be large enough to fight the COVID-19 virus and relieve hardship. David Reich explained why additional funding is needed for the Legal Service Corporation, a non-profit corporation that policymakers established to provide financial support for legal aid programs.
- On the economy, Chad Stone noted that the January employment data show that a jobs recovery is a long way off. Sharon Parrott signed a letter with leaders of five other economic organizations urging policymakers to pass robust COVID relief to control the virus, address hardship, and boost the economy. We updated our chart book tracking the post-Great Recession economy and our backgrounder on how many weeks of unemployment compensation are available.
- On immigration, Shelby Gonzales praised President Biden’s immigration action as reflecting a vision of our nation as one that welcomes immigrants. We also released a Spanish-language version of Gonzales’ statement.
- On health, Jennifer Sullivan reported that states will get enhanced Medicaid funding through 2021. We updated our Sabotage Watch tracker of the Trump Administration’s efforts to undermine the Affordable Care Act.
- On housing, Will Fischer urged policymakers to help struggling renters by making housing vouchers available to all who need them.
- On food assistance, Zoë Neuberger reported that new Agriculture Department guidance clarifies states’ flexibility to use Pandemic EBT to mitigate child hunger. We updated our fact sheet explaining how states are using new flexibility in SNAP to respond to COVID-19’s challenges.
- On state budgets and taxes, Michael Mazerov explained why states should decouple from a new federal tax break for businesses receiving Paycheck Protection Program loans.
- On family income support, we updated our chart book on the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program.
Chart of the Week — Children Not Getting Enough to Eat More Than 10 Times Higher in December 2020 Than a Year Before
A variety of news outlets featured CBPP’s work and experts this past week. Here are some of the highlights:
As Demand for Mental Health Care Spikes, Budget Ax Set to Strike
Kaiser Health News
February 5, 2021
Biden Plan To Expand Child Tax Credit Could Help Lift Millions Of Kids Out Of Poverty
NPR
February 4, 2021
Opinion: Does bipartisanship matter more than helping kids?
Washington Post
February 3, 2021
The pandemic has nudged millions of Americans into Medicaid
Washington Post
February 3, 2021
Millions of Americans could lose their homes despite Biden eviction moratorium order
USA Today
February 2, 2021
Economists Warn of Risks of Too Little COVID Stimulus as GOP Senators Push Smaller Package
Newsweek
February 1, 2021
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