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
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, 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
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 – 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
Session concludes U.S. Conference of Mayors’ 89th Winter Meeting Washington, D.C. – On Tuesday, January 26, 2021 at 10:30 PM ET, the U.S. Conference of Mayors and Strong Cities Network will hold a joint discussion with His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama appearing as a special guest. The conversation will feature mayors from countries around the
Washington, D.C. – Hundreds of mayors from across the country are gathering for the final day of the virtual U.S. Conference of Mayors’ (USCM) 89th Winter Meeting on Saturday, January 23. Mayors will meet with former Mayor Pete Buttigieg, nominee to be U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary, as well as Special Presidential Envoy on Climate John Kerry
Washington, DC – On his second day in office, President Joe Biden took further steps to bolster and strengthen the American response to the coronavirus pandemic. The new executive orders and presidential directives signed today would help protect American workers, boost the production and delivery of Covid-19 testing and vaccines, help kids get back to
Washington, D.C.— Today, during the opening plenary session of the 89th Winter Meeting of the United States Conference of Mayors (USCM), President and Louisville (KY) Mayor Greg Fischer addressed hundreds of mayors from across the country. In sweeping remarks, Mayor Fischer spoke about the importance of mayoral leadership in the new Biden era, outlined the
Washington, DC – On his first day in office, President Joe Biden took executive action to advance a racial equity agenda that aligns with U.S. Conference of Mayors’ (USCM) priority initiatives of dismantling systemic racism and ensuring the human and civil rights of all Americans. Welcoming the executive orders signed by the president, USCM President
Washington, D.C. – This afternoon, President Joe Biden signed a combination of Executive Orders to change the course of the COVID-19 pandemic and provide economic relief to millions of Americans suffering from the economic fallout of the crisis. U.S. Conference of Mayors President and Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer released the following statement: “President Joe Biden has