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Joint Economic Committee Democrats

Publications

Aug 12 2021

Fast Facts: People of Color Are More Likely to Live in Digitally Distressed Communities

Communities that are digitally distressed have a high percentage of homes not subscribing to any internet or subscribing to it only through a cellular plan, and a high percentage of homes with no computing devices or relying only on mobile devices.

Research finds digital distress is correlated with race and disproportionately affects Black, Hispanic, and American Indian/Alaskan communities.

Aug 12 2021

Fast Facts: In Six States, More Than One in Ten Residents Live in Digitally Distressed Communities

Communities that are digitally distressed have a high percent of homes not subscribing to any internet or subscribing to it only through a cellular plan, and a high percent of homes with no computing devices or relying only on mobile devices.

Certain states are particularly affected by digital distress. In Louisiana, Alabama, Arkansas, New Mexico, Mississippi and Texas, more than one in ten residents live in a community that is digitally distressed.

Aug 12 2021

Fast Facts: Most Digitally Distressed Congressional Districts Are Concentrated in the South

Communities that are digitally distressed have a high percentage of homes not subscribing to any internet or subscribing to it only through a cellular plan, and a high percentage of homes with no computing devices or relying only on mobile devices.

Congressional districts in Southern states are particularly likely to be digitally distressed. For example, half of the districts in both Arkansas and Louisiana are digitally distressed, four out of seven districts in Alabama are digitally distressed and all of the districts in Mississippi are digitally distressed.

Aug 10 2021

Protecting Renters from Eviction Can Both Keep Families Housed and Ensure an Equitable Economic Recovery

Eviction moratoria effectively keep families in their homes, and the CDC’s decision to bar evictions in counties with elevated COVID-19 transmission through October 3 will be a vital tool to protect public health. Federal, state and local policymakers must now step in with additional action to both keep families housed and distribute more of the nearly$47 billion in federal Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) before the ban expires.

Aug 05 2021

Partisan Attacks on Unemployment Insurance Are Nothing New

Unemployment Insurance (UI) has played a key role both in helping workers replace lost income and acting as a macroeconomic stabilizer since it was introduced during the Great Depression. In spite of decades of neglect, the program has repeatedly saved jobs and kept working Americans and their families out of poverty when they’ve lost a job through no fault of their own.

Aug 02 2021

Expanded Child Tax Credit Will Inject More Than $18.6 Billion Into Local Economies Each Month

In July 2021, monthly payments from the newly expanded Child Tax Credit (CTC) started hitting families’ bank accounts. The American Rescue Plan (ARP) dramatically increased the value of the CTC, from $2,000 per child to up to $3,600 per child under six and $3,000 per child six and older. The ARP also expanded the CTC so that it is now fully refundable and previously ineligible low-income families will receive the full credit. Half of the expanded CTC will be distributed via monthly payments, helping families meet their financial needs in real time. The first round of monthly payments distributed nearly $15 billion to families across the United States, averaging $423 per qualifying family and reaching more than 59 million children.