Ending the Gun Violence Epidemic

Stopping the Plague of Gun Violence
The epidemic of gun violence exacts a deadly, daily toll on our nation, ending the lives of an average of 100 Americans each day. Throughout the coronavirus pandemic and economic crisis, the gun violence crisis has only grown worse, and we pray for the countless lives that have been lost to this senseless violence in San Francisco and across our country.

Background checks are supported by well over 90 percent of the American people – including nearly as many gun-owning households, as well as dozens of leading law enforcement, veterans, local government, public health and other groups.

Due to loopholes that allow firearms to be sold at a gun show, online or person-to-person without a background check, up to 80 percent of firearms used for criminal purposes are sold without background checks. And specifically, the Charleston Loophole – in which firearms are sold before the completion of a background check – allows the sale of hundreds of thousands of guns to potentially dangerous individuals each year, including people with criminal records, mental illnesses and other circumstances that disqualify them from purchasing a firearm.

That is why, this week, House Democrats passed two landmark and bipartisan gun violence prevention bills and sent them to the Senate:

• H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act, sponsored by North Bay Congressman Mike Thompson –which requires a background check for every gun sale or transfer.
• H.R. 1446, the Enhanced Background Checks Act – which would end the Charleston Loophole that enabled the horrific hate crime at Mother Emanuel AME Church that killed nine innocent people.

This legislation lets us keep our promises to the survivors of these countless, horrific tragedies and helps us make the world a safer place for all our children. By passing H.R. 8 and H.R. 1446, the House is committed to taking strong, effective action to help ensure that no family must ever endure the heartbreak and horror of gun violence in their lives.

Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi speaking with reporters regarding the passing of two bills to prevent gun violence.

One Year Into The Pandemic, Help Is On The Way
One year ago, yesterday, the World Health Organization declared COVID‑19 a pandemic. On that day, just over 1,000 Americans had been infected and about 38 had died from the pandemic. Now, one year into this pandemic, over 530,000 American lives have been lost, nearly 30 million have become infected and millions more have lost their jobs. Our hearts go out to the families, friends and all who are affected by this ongoing tragedy.

But now, Help Is On The Way. Yesterday, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan into law, bringing a plan to crush the virus and to save lives and livelihoods of the American people. It is historic, it is monumental, and it is one of the most consequential pieces of legislation to ever be signed into law.

The American Rescue Plan brings vital aid to our state and local communities:

• Over $63 billion in the pockets of Californians through programs like the Child Tax Credit, Earned income Tax Credit, Renter Assistance, Homeowner's Assistance and Economic Impact Payments.
• 553,000 Children in California will be lifted out of poverty and 88 percent of CA Children will benefit from the expansion of the Child Tax Credit.
• Over $42 billion in direct funding for the State of California and CA local governments, including $636 million for San Francisco.
• Over $20 billion for education, including $105 million for SFUSD, $83 million to SFSU, $28.5 million for CCSF and nearly $2 million for UCSF.
• Nearly $3.9 billion for Child Care providers in CA.
• Approximately $1.7 billion in Bay Area Transit formula funding.

Just last night President Biden announced more good news, by urging all states, territories and tribal nations to make all adult Americans eligible for the coronavirus vaccine by May 1st. This is yet another critical step to putting the United States on a path where Americans could be able to join our friends and loved ones in time to celebrate America's Independence Day.

The American Rescue Plan is a beacon of hope for America's families and a sign that, as President Biden has promised: Help Is On The Way. House Democrats will continue to work with the Biden-Harris Administration to bring much needed aid to Americans across the country as we Build Back Better For The People.

Staying Up To Date on COVID in San Francisco

With the ever-present threat of COVID-19, it is important to stay updated with the ongoing changes in our community. Below you can find some of those changes as well as tools and resources to help with these developments:

• San Francisco Moves to Red Tier, Reopens Some Activities
• Get notified when you're eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine
• Expanded Vaccine Eligibility for Certain Medical Conditions Starting March 15th
• Expanded Vaccines to Education and Childcare, Emergency Services, and Food Sector Workers
• Vaccination Sites At Moscone, the Mission, Bay View, SOMA, and Outer Sunset
• Muni and BART Offering Free Transportation At Vaccination Sites
• San Francisco Announces $500 Stimulus For Struggling Workers and Families
• Mayor London Breed Announces Economic Recovery Program For Workers
• See if you qualify for California's Golden State Stimulus
• Governor Newsom Signs $6.6 Billion Plan To Reopen Schools
• California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program
• San Francisco COVID-19 Data Tracker
• COVID-19 Testing Options; San Francisco COVID-19 Vaccination Plan; and Find a Flu Shot
• California's COVID-19 exposure notifications on your phone
• California Safe Schools for All Hub; San Francisco School Reopening
• Free grab & go meals available for all children 18 years and younger