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Noting that the Caribbean community is very politically astute, Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, who represents the ninth Congressional District, reminded constituents that June 23, primary day is right around the corner, and they must vote during the COVID-19, crisis, that allows for absentee ballots.
“I want us to vote. There is one thing that disturbed me in the last election, the fact that we have over 335,000 registered voters in this district, and only 30,000 people voted,” said the representative, who expressed her disappointment in a recent, Virtual Zoom forum hosted by Jrg. Entertainment, and PowerJam Radio Fan Group, to discuss coping with COVID-19, and absentee voting.
“We want to assert our power and garner the respect for our community, but when we don’t show up and do our civic duty, we are saying we are going to allow others to dictate our destiny. That should never be the case, particularly, with the Caribbean community that is very politically astute,” said Clarke.
She urged constituents to mail-in the application to file for an absentee ballot, a two-step process that must be returned to the Board of Elections in the postage-free envelope, in order to vote.
‘”Of course I am asking you to vote for me, but just as important as me, is that you exercise your franchise to make your preference known,” she said, adding, that everyone has to stand up like never before, and called President Donald Trump, an inept, insensitive and intentionally negligent President.
“You sent me to Washington DC to be your voice and I am there each and every time for the people of the ninth district I represent,” said Congresswoman Clarke, who will be returning to Capitol Hill to push forward the massive relief bill passed by the House of Representatives to bring more COVID-19 relief to communities.
She said the Heroes Act was passed through the House of Representatives, with its Democratic majority for the most part supporting it, and is waiting on Mitch McConnel and the GOP to take it up.
“This bill would include our communities that don’t have social security numbers, and will include additional funding so that we can track those we may have come in to contact with who was positive for COVID-19,” she said.
The Heroes Act would also provide funding to lift up the public health infrastructure, and at the heart of this bill, is a hazard pay for front line first responders who have been putting their lives at risk, “to extend a lifeline to them as we hunker down in our homes.”
Healthcare workers, transit workers, postal worker, grocers, delivery drivers would be able to access hazard pay so that they are rewarded for their sacrifices.
The bill will also provide rent and mortgage relief, and help those who were furloughed, laid off and unable to pay their basic living circumstance.
She lambasted Mitch McConnell and the Republican Party for dolling out big bucks to Corporate America, in bailouts. “It is time for us in the House of Representatives to bailout the people on the ground that make our nation great,” said Clarke, whose office is available to access resources, such as food and masks.
‘I don’t want anyone to go without access to resources and the lifeline and safety net we are providing to each and everyone,” said Clarke.
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