Community

Torres Co-Leads Bipartisan Bill to Address Childcare Affordability

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Rep. Ritchie Torres (NY-15) co-led the introduction on Wednesday, Feb. 28, of legislation described by his office as groundbreaking, to tackle the pressing issue of childcare affordability faced by families across the nation. Officials from to the Bronx congressman’s office said the bipartisan measure, known as the Combatting High Inflation Limiting Daycare Act, or the “CHILD Act,” seeks to provide much-needed relief to American families struggling to meet the rising costs of childcare by doubling the annual contribution limit for tax-advantaged Dependent Care Flexible Savings Accounts (DCFSAs).

Espaillat, Ocasio-Cortez Introduce Temporary Protected Status for Ecuador Act

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Bronx Congressional Reps. Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), along with nine other original cosponsors, introduced the Temporary Protected Status for Ecuador Act (H.R. 7371) to the U.S. House of Representatives on Monday, Feb. 26. The bill, if passed, would grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to over 300,000 Ecuadorians in the U.S. who have fled the current mass outbreak of gang-related violence in Ecuador to seek safety for their families.

Health Care Expands March 5 to All Vets Exposed to Toxins during Military Service at Home or Abroad

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The U.S. Department of Veterans Services announced on Monday, Feb. 26, that all veterans who were exposed to toxins and other hazards while serving in the military, at home or abroad, will be eligible to enroll directly in VA health care beginning March 5. VA officials said this means all veterans who served in the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Global War on Terror, or any other combat zone after 9/11 will be eligible to enroll directly in VA health care without first applying for VA benefits.