Rep. Clarke To Push Immigration Issue

[National: Politics]


U.S. Representative Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY-11) announced her 2009 legislative agenda, highlighting several critical issues that are facing her district and the country, shortly after her swearing in by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

The Congresswoman’s announcement comes one day after she took the oath for the 111th Congress. "Our country is in the midst of one of the worse economic downturns of our time, and the year ahead will be difficult," said Rep. Clarke. "Although we have a lot of work ahead of us, my colleagues and I are already working to find the best policy solutions to get our country back on track. I plan to implement an agenda for the 111th Congress that will tackle the housing crisis, help to create jobs, aid our schools, and bolster our struggling small businesses."

Among Clarke’s top legislative priorities are the Citizenship and Immigration Backlog Reduction Act and the FAST Redress Act: a bill which amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002. For the 111th session Rep. Clarke also plans to push through the reauthorization of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992.

As a member of the Small Business Committee Rep. Clarke plans to advocate and lead efforts on improving the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) special contracting programs to allow small businesses owned by disadvantaged individuals or located in impoverished areas to compete for government contracts.

In addition, Clarke believes that we can make dramatic improvements to America’s education system by making significant changes to the No Child Left Behind Act. Rep. Clarke was recently re-elected in November with 94% of the vote and was also sworn in as Whip of the Congressional Black Caucus on Tuesday.

"It is a privilege to follow in the footsteps of such pioneering members like Shirley Chisholm," she added. "I look forward to continuing the legacy of leadership and service with our newly-elected Chairwoman Barbara Lee and my colleagues as we address the challenges facing people of color and the disadvantaged throughout the United States and the global community."

She currently sits on the House Committee on Education and Labor, the House Small Business Committee and the Committee on Homeland Security.