Alexandria Ocasio Cortez Newsletters [Messages From AOC]

CART open captions can be accessed at https://bc.typewell.com/kbjknbna

Constituents of Rep. Ocasio-Cortez can send questions ahead of time to aoc.townhall@mail.house.gov or call 718-662-5970 with your name, neighborhood and question.

In the meantime, we’ve included several important updates from this week’s legislative session in D.C. below, as well as information on New York’s Primary elections and on how to sign up for the Child Tax Credits that will start being sent to families in July. Please do not hesitate to contact our office if you have any questions or if we can be of any other assistance. You can reach our office by sending a message HERE or by calling our office at the number listed above.

From,

The Office of Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

New York City’s primary election is on this upcoming Tuesday, June 22, 2021! 

This year, ranked-choice voting will be used for the first time. So when you go to the polls, think not just above who your first choice is, but who your second, third, fourth and fifth choices are too. Through ranked-choice voting, voters can rank up to five candidates in order of preference, instead of casting a vote for just one. The goal is to ensure that our representatives have a majority of their constituents’ support – rather than just a plurality, which is how it worked in our old, winner-takes-all system. Learn more about the process of ranked-choice voting here.

You also don’t have to wait until Election Day to vote. Early voting will take place on the dates below – but be sure to check your poll site before you go, you may be voting at a different site than your usual voting location if you vote early:

Saturday, June 19, 2021 from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Sunday, June 20, 2021 from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM

The IRS will begin issuing monthly Child Tax Credit payments on July 15th! 

Ninety-percent of children in our district  will qualify. Families with children under age 6 will receive up to $300/month per child, and families with children ages 6 to 17 will receive up to $250 per child. Couples must earn less than $150,000 or single parents (also called Head of Household) must make less than $112,500 to qualify.

The IRS urges individuals and families who haven’t yet filed their 2020 return – or 2019 return – to do so as soon as possible so they can receive Child Tax Credit payments. Filing soon will also ensure that the IRS has the most current banking information for direct deposits, as well as key details about qualifying children. For most people, the fastest and easiest way to file a return is by using the Free File system, available only on IRS.gov.

If you didn’t make enough to be required to file taxes in 2020 or 2019, you can still get the Tax Credit by signing up here (and in Spanish here).

If you have an increase in family size in 2021, you can provide the IRS updated information here. Any Child Tax Credit amounts that remain unpaid can be claimed when you file your 2021 tax return next year. 

The IRS is working to deliver advance monthly payments automatically to most eligible Americans and began mailing letters to 36 million eligible families last week. For most Americans, your payment amount will be determined by your 2020 return or your 2019 return, depending on which has been most recently processed.

For additional details, click here for FAQs on the Child Tax Credit payments. The White House has also created a page that outlines important information about the Child Tax Credit here.

Requesting Funding for High-Speed Rail in the American Jobs Plan

The upcoming infrastructure package is an opportunity for us to create thousands of green jobs in transportation and infrastructure. That’s why Representative Ocasio-Cortez joined several colleagues this week in calling for increased funding for high-speed rail in the American Jobs Plan. For decades, the federal government has spent trillions building highways that have displaced entire neighborhoods, while dedicating relatively little to rail projects that can actually connect our communities and boost regional economies. It’s time for a change. Read the full letter here.

Oversight Committee’s Second Insurrection Hearing

Representative Ocasio-Cortez questioned FBI Director Christopher Wray this week about the lack of action to address the planning of the January 6th Capitol attack, as communication regarding the Insurrection occurred openly on popular social media platforms. Watch the full video here.

Hearing on Puerto Rico’s Political Status

On Wednesday, Representative Ocasio-Cortez questioned Dr. Rafael Cox Alomar about the right of self-determination for Puerto Rico and dispelled ongoing myths about legislation. You can watch the full video here.

Authorized Use of Military Force Vote

This week, the House passed a repeal of the 2002 Authorized Use of Military Force (AUMF). For nearly two decades, the outdated 2002 AUMF has been used to justify military action without Congressional approval. It’s time to repeal this authorization and end forever wars. More here.

Corporate Government Improvement and Investor Protection Act

The House also passed the Corporate Government Improvement and Investor Protection Act this week. This included an element of the Climate Risk Disclosure Act, which requires public companies to disclose information relating to the financial and business risks associated with climate change, ensuring that public companies are held accountable.

The office of Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez is hiring for a Bronx Constituent Liaison & Field Representative! Click here to apply.