***For Immediate Release***
Wednesday, March 8, 2024
Contact: Sierra Salgado Pirigyi
Communications Director, Nebraska Appleseed
Office: (402) 438-8853 ext 116
sierrasp@neappleseed.org
RELEASE: Nebraska Appleseed’s response to the President’s State of the Union
Last night the President addressed the nation in the annual State of the Union speech, sharing his outlook for the year ahead. President Biden will also release his 2025 budget to set his priorities, while Congress continues to work against funding deadlines in March to avert a government shutdown.
This past year, Nebraska Appleseed and countless advocates have continued raising their voices on Capitol Hill, playing a key role in the movement and successes the President highlighted in his address, including increased wages and health care access, as well as the recently expanded Child Tax Credit passed by the House.
We echo the President’s words about the need to address the systemic racial inequities rooted in the history and structures of our nation. We must work together to dismantle inhumane and inequitable laws and systems that have disproportionately impacted people of color.
Furthermore, as a country built together by the strength and perseverance of people of all backgrounds, we have learned that ascribing the actions of one to a perceived whole group causes deep harm to all of us. We were shocked and sadly disappointed in the President’s use of anti-immigrant language. The last 38 years of Congressional inaction on positive immigration policy has caused unnecessary harm to longtime community members, local Nebraska families, and entire communities across our state and nation.
We continue to look ahead as we consider our priorities for Nebraska communities because there is still much more work to be done. Congress must act now on these priorities:
- Pass the expanded federal Child Tax Credit to support an additional 80,000 Nebraska families;
- Welcome people with dignity and create a process for citizenship that would create stability and full inclusion for longtime community members who are integral parts of Nebraska;
- Increase access to SNAP to ensure families and individuals have equitable access to food through the Farm Bill;
- Address the disproportionately harmful effects of the foster care system on Black and Native youth, and youth of color that identify as LGBTQIA+.
- Expand rental assistance, and safe, affordable housing for our neighbors; and
- Strengthen access to health care, including reproductive freedom, to keep our state healthy.
A brighter, more inclusive future is ahead if we work together toward meaningful solutions. We at Nebraska Appleseed look forward to seeing progress advance to turn these priorities into a reality for our communities.