Adams 🚨 Alert: Maternal Health Update
Congresswoman Alma Adams participates in The Black Maternal Health Caucus 2023 Stakeholder Summit; National Night Out across NC12; $30 million for clean buses
On Tuesday, I hosted the Black Maternal Health Caucus 2023 Stakeholder Summit with caucus co-founder and co-chair Rep. Lauren Underwood of Illinois.
The Summit highlighted progress in improving maternal health outcomes; discussed opportunities to advance the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act and other maternal health legislative priorities; and was a unique opportunity to build partnerships and strategies to end the maternal health crisis in the United States.
“We must pass the full Momnibus to save moms’ lives and finally end the maternal health crisis in our country,” said Underwood. “The Black Maternal Health Caucus 2023 Stakeholder Summit is an opportunity to come together with our partners on a plan of action to get the Momnibus across the finish line.”
Black maternal mortality and morbidity is higher than for other mothers in the United States due to social determinants of health, including lack of adequate healthcare training, medical mistreatment, and bias. In the U.S., on average, Black women are three times more likely to die due to complications from childbirth than white, non-Hispanic women.
The disparity exists regardless of income or education. Even Beyoncé and Serena Williams had close calls birthing while Black.
In fact, Black women in the United States have worse maternal health outcomes than the average woman in any high-income country because maternal mortality in the U.S. is unacceptably high for all women. Uruguay, Latvia, Egypt, Oman, Tajikistan, Turkiye, Ukraine, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Chile, Hungary, Russia, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Portugal, Canada, Romania, Serbia, the United Kingdom, Lithuania, United Arab Emirates, Albania, Finland, France, Greece, South Korea, Qatar, Bulgaria, Kuwait, New Zealand, Singapore, Switzerland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Luxembourg, Montenegro, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Ireland, Italy, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Turkmenistan, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Australia, Czechia, Iceland, Israel, Malta, North Macedonia, Seychelles, Spain, Norway, Poland, and Belarus all have lower maternal mortality rates than the United States.
Because of the inequities in health care, the Biden-Harris administration has pledged to invest in solutions to overcome this gap, but there’s still more we can do.
The Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act introduced by me, Congresswoman Underwood, and Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey addresses the inequities and disparities in maternal care. The bill promotes equitable funding to community-based organizations, improving maternal mental health conditions, diversity in the health care industry, culturally competent care, and so much more.
We have to act. Our Mamas can’t wait.
Thanks for reading, and for being engaged in our Democracy.
Sincerely,
Alma
Video from the Black Maternal Health Caucus 2023 Stakeholder Summit
Adams, Fetterman, and Casar Introduce Bill to Provide SNAP Benefits for Striking Workers
Adams, Underwood Announce Speakers for the Black Maternal Health Caucus 2023 Stakeholder Summit
Today, I was honored to join my colleagues in city and regional government to announce a $30,890,000 grant I helped secure for the Charlotte Area Transportation System to prepare for the clean energy economy. This substantial grant from the Federal Transportation Administration will make a lasting impact on the Charlotte region for years to come.
If you can drive a clean car to work, you should be able to ride a clean bus as well. It goes to show you that federal funding – from the American Rescue Plan to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – can spark real transformation.
H.R. 1338 – SAT Streamlining Act
This bill directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to revise its regulations that govern licenses and grants of U.S. market access for geostationary and non-geostationary orbital satellites. Geostationary orbital satellites maintain a stationary position in orbit while non-geostationary satellites move in relation to the Earth's surface; these satellites may be used to provide broadband and other telecommunications services. In particular, the bill specifies deadlines by which the FCC must decide whether to approve an application for a license or grant of market access.
However, the devil is in the details. This legislation contains broad language that would have significant consequences for the U.S. commercial space industry and threaten U.S. leadership in novel space activities. The intent of the legislation, which is to streamline and shorten the licensing process for use of spectrum in space, is laudable. The bill allows FCC to proceed unilaterally without participating in the interagency coordination that is necessary to prevent a fragmented government approach towards space activities. This would result in a complex web of regulation among multiple agencies that would hinder development of novel space activities at a time that is critical for industry. If this bill were to pass and be signed into law, it would result in delays, duplicative efforts, and confusion for the commercial space industry, threatening U.S. leadership in space. I voted NO.
H.R. 4470 – Protecting and Securing Chemical Facilities from Terrorist Attacks Act of 2023
This bill extends the authorization of the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards Program of the Department of Homeland Security until July 27, 2025. I voted YES
H.R. 4366 – Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024
This bill provides appropriations to the Department of Defense (DOD) for military construction, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Security Investment Program; the Base Closure Account; Construction and Operation and Maintenance of Family Housing for the Army, the Navy and Marine Corps, the Air Force, and Defense-wide agencies and activities; the Family Housing Improvement Fund; and the Military Unaccompanied Housing Improvement Fund. VA budget appropriations as well appropriations for the American Battle Monuments Commission, the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, Cemeterial Expenses of the Army, and the Armed Forces Retirement Home are provided through this legislation.
Unfortunately, some Republicans attempted to implement poison pills throughout a bill that should be appropriated in a bipartisan effort. I’m hopeful that it will head to the Senate and return under new conditions that address the intended purpose of this legislation. I voted NO.
Thursday, July 27 was National Intern Day. We are thankful for our summer interns in both our Washington, D.C. and Charlotte offices, and will be spotlighting them in this and upcoming editions of Adams Alerts.
Name: Jovan Mickens
University: Florida A&M University
Year in School: Senior
Hometown: Orlando, Florida
Jovan Mickens is a graduating Political Science Scholar attending the nation's number-one public HBCU, Florida A&M University. Hailing from The City Beautiful of Orlando, Florida, he has dedicated his life to community outreach and civic engagement. Currently, he happily serves as the President of the Florida A&M Chapter of Florida College Democrats, which is the only HBCU Chapter in the entire State of Florida. He is a Fall 21 Initiate of Thee Incomparable Marching "100", A Fall 21 Initiate of the POWERHOUSE Chapter of Collegiate 100, and served as one of Florida A&M University's Orientation Leaders this past summer. Before attending Florida A&M, he graduated with his Associate of Arts Degree from Valencia College in Orlando, Florida. Regarding community involvement, Jovan created a book scholarship for his alma mater, Oak Ridge High School, and volunteered and mentored at-risk youth in the Tallahassee community. He loves participating in anything that would improve his local community. As for political involvement, he worked with Florida State Representatives Anna Eskamani & Gallop Franklin in the campaign and legislative sessions, where he got inside the scope of how transformative politics work. Jovan’s aspiration post-internship is to create lasting friendships with like-minded individuals, gain a deeper understanding of civic engagement, and one day run for office!
Name: Callie Stevens
Year in School: 2023 Graduate
University: University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
Hometown: Wilmington, NC
Callie recently graduated from UNC Chapel Hill, where she studied Psychology and Conflict Management. At UNC, she has made a significant impact in her role as Ethics Chair in the UNC Undergraduate Senate, where she developed the Code of Ethical Conduct and ensured ethical practices. As President of the Dialectic Society, she led the oldest club on campus, fostering intellectual discourse. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, acting in community theater, and spending time with friends and family. In the fall, she is looking forward to continuing her education at law school, where she plans to specialize in international law.
SNAP is one of our most successful anti-poverty programs.
📈 SNAP keeps millions above the poverty line, including 3,600,000 children
💼 Most working-age SNAP recipients work
👶 Most SNAP recipients (kids, elders, people with disabilities) aren't expected to work
Yesterday, I enjoyed visiting National Night Out events across the district.
We travelled from Concord, to Cornelius, to Charlotte and across the 12th District. Representatives from our office attended events in Matthews and the Charlotte neighborhoods of Hidden Valley, Camp Greene, and Five Points.
It was great to see everyone out in the community - neighbors, public officials, and dogs!
If you weren’t able to attend last night, please mark your calendars for next year’s NNO. If you live in Davidson or Huntersville, don’t forget your National Night Out is on October 3rd at 5:00 PM - I hope to see you there.
That’s where I’ll lay my hat for this week. Thanks for reading!
Sincerely,
Alma
The Federal Reserve just raised interest rates to a 22 year high, making home ownership a dream. Inflation is up just shy of 9% 2 years over. Gas is approaching $4.00 a gallon. The US credit rating was just downgraded. Most Americans are a $400 expense away from bankruptcy per your sister Kama. Millionaires like the Bidens keep enriching themselves and fail to report millions in earnings on their taxes. This Bidenomics and Inflation Reduction Act that Al Gore stated is really a climate change bill is really helping we the people in the bottom up and middle out.