Tax Cuts for the Middle-Class; Healthy School Meals; World AIDS Day

Tax Cuts for the Middle-Class
Yesterday, the House passed the Middle Class Tax Relief Act of 2010, which will make permanent tax cuts for the middle-class to spur economic growth and help the vast majority of Americans struggling through a tough economy.

• Families making less than $250,000 a year: The bill permanently extends the 2001/2003 tax cuts, including current tax rates, marriage penalty relief, capital gains and dividends rates, and $1,000 child tax credit.
• For the wealthiest 3 percent of Americans: It is simply a return to 1990s tax rates—an economic boom time for America—for income above $250,000 (joint) or $200,000 (single). They will still receive the same tax cut as the middle-class on income below these levels.

Economists tell us that deficit-busting tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans are the wrong way to strengthen the economy and do not create jobs. In spite of this, Congressional Republicans continue to vote to protect the richest 3 percent of Americans. It is my hope that the Senate will pass these vital middle-class tax cuts when so many families need help at this time.

Congresswoman Pelosi settles her friendly World Series wager with Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania and Congressman Joe Barton of Texas.

Healthy School Meals
I am so pleased that the House passed the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act – the most significant improvement to child nutrition programs in more than 30 years. This bill addresses the twin challenges of childhood hunger and childhood obesity.

Children in San Francisco will benefit from improved meal quality, expanded access to nutritious food, and updated nutrition standards to remove unhealthy food and drinks from school vending machines. California will receive an increase of over $34 million for the National School Lunch Program, which serves over 3 million children in our state who might not otherwise get the daily nutrients they need to succeed.

We know that when children cope with hunger, homelessness, poverty, and danger, their development is impaired. The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act is a critical step forward in correcting this injustice and giving all of our youth a healthy choice and a fair shot at a better future. I look forward to President Obama signing this bill into law and honoring our commitment to our children.

World AIDS Day
On Wednesday, we observed World AIDS Day – a day to honor the memories of those we have lost to HIV/AIDS, to remember the progress we have made in our fight against this disease, and to rededicate ourselves to ending this pandemic once and for all.

Over the past two years, this Congress has expanded investments in HIV/AIDS care, lifted the ban on federal funding for syringe exchange, and reauthorized the Ryan White Act. In passing historic health insurance reform earlier this year, Congress increased access to Medicaid for people with HIV, strengthened the AIDS Drug Assistance Programs, and ended discrimination based on pre-existing conditions. Together, we will continue working with determination, hope, and compassion to one day end the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

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