Washington, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Senate passed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which includes $360 billion in direct financial relief for state and local governments. Since the early days of the COVID-19 crisis, cities have been confronting diminished revenues while taking expensive measures to keep their residents safe, facilitate COVID-19 testing and
Employment at State, Local Level Nearly 1.4 Million Below Pre-Pandemic Level Washington, DC—February was yet another dire month in the labor market, particularly at the state and local government level. In its monthly employment survey, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported a drop of 83,000 jobs in state and local government. With jobs in
Washington, DC – Today the Senate introduced a modified version of President Joe Biden’s American Rescue Plan, including critical funding for local governments. The Senate version of the bill preserves this important component of the plan, which American mayors have been calling for since last spring. To date, most American cities have been left behind
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, America’s cities have been confronting a devastating economic crisis. Revenues have plummeted, forcing cities to lay off critical employees and curtail essential services at a time when residents need them most. At the same time, cities have had to launch expensive initiatives to keep their residents safe, develop
Washington, DC—This afternoon, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and a bipartisan delegation from the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) met virtually to discuss critical issues facing American cities. The Secretary and the mayors discussed the need to rebuild the immigration system to make it more just and compassionate, address current immigrant resettlement needs in cities
Bill Includes Urgently Needed Resources for Local Governments Hurt by COVID-19 Pandemic Washington, DC – Today the U.S. House of Representatives passed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, legislation built on President Joe Biden’s comprehensive plan to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic. Among many critical provisions, the bill includes $350 billion in direct fiscal relief
Washington, DC – Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 5: The Equality Act, a bill that would ban discrimination against LGBTQ Americans by listing sexual orientation and gender identity as prohibited grounds of employment discrimination under federal law. U.S. Conference of Mayors President Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer released the following statement in support of the
USCM Has Long Called on Congress to Modernize America’s Immigration System Washington, DC – Today New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez and California Representative Linda Sánchez introduced the U.S. Citizenship Act, sweeping legislation to reform America’s immigration system. The bill is based on a plan released by President Joe Biden on his first day in office
Top Priority for American Mayors in Fight Against COVID Moves Forward Washington, DC – Today the House Committee on Oversight and Reform approved a package of funding that includes $350 billion in direct fiscal assistance to states, local governments, territories and tribes. The legislation is the Committee’s contribution to the larger Biden COVID rescue plan,
Washington, D.C. – Across the country, mayors – Republicans, Democrats and Independents – are renewing their call for Congress to provide direct fiscal assistance to all cities and towns of all sizes. Following a letter signed by more than 420 mayors last month, a growing number of cities, including those in Arizona, California, Florida, Kentucky,
WASHINGTON – The National Association of Counties, National League of Cities, and The U.S. Conference of Mayors today welcomed the U.S. House Oversight and Reform Committee’s State and Local Coronavirus Fiscal Recovery Funds legislation - to be considered as part of a comprehensive COVID-19 federal package. The bill includes $350 billion in critical aid to
Washington, DC – Today, President Joe Biden signed a series of Executive Orders and presidential directives that will reunify families separated at the border and authorize a review of the previous Administration’s damaging immigration policies that limited asylum, made it more difficult for immigrants to be naturalized, significantly expanded the public charge inadmissibility test, and
Republican, Democrat and Independent Mayors Want Congress to Pass Relief Included in Biden Rescue Plan Washington, DC – America’s mayors are using their voices to demand Congress finally take action to support cities by passing the fiscal relief for local governments included in President Biden’s American Rescue Plan. A letter to Congress now has 402
Washington, D.C. — This morning, the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM), the National League of Cities and National Association of Counties held a joint Zoom press conference urging Congress to pass the direct fiscal assistance to cities and counties included in the Biden Administration’s American Rescue Plan. All three organizations have been fighting for communities
Washington, DC—Below is a statement by Tom Cochran, CEO and Executive Director of the United States Conference of Mayors, in support of the SALT Deductibility Act: "On behalf of the nation's mayors, I want to express our strong support for the Securing Access to Lower Taxes by Ensuring Deductibility Act (SALT Deductibility Act). This bipartisan proposal
Washington, DC—The U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM), the National League of Cities (NLC) and the National Association of Counties (NACo) held a joint press conference today, calling on Congress to pass the direct fiscal assistance to cities and counties included in the Biden Administration’s American Rescue Plan. After the press conference, they released the following
Washington, D.C. – Today at 11:00 AM ET, the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM), the National League of Cities (NLC) and National Association of Counties (NACo) will hold a joint Zoom press conference to call on Congress to pass the direct fiscal assistance to cities and counties included in the Biden Administration’s American rescue plan.
Washington, DC – Following his Day One actions on climate change, President Joe Biden today signed a number of climate and environmental justice-focused executive orders. His latest actions will establish a National Climate Task Force to coordinate climate action across all federal agencies and bolster the nation’s growing clean energy sector. The latest round of
Washington, DC – Building off of executive actions addressing equity signed on his first day in office, President Joe Biden took further action today on issues related to racial equity and systemic racism. On the issue of housing, the president has taken action consistent with U.S. Conference of Mayors’ (USCM) policy, directing the Department of
Washington, DC – Today the Senate Homeland Security Committee approved the nomination of Alejandro Mayorkas to be the next Secretary of Homeland Security. Now only a vote in the full Senate remains to confirm him and fill the current vacancy at this critical department. In a letter sent earlier this morning on behalf of the
