Chaka Fattah

01/25/10 -- PHILADELPHIA PA – Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA) issues a public service reminder to college students and their families: Now is the time to gather official documents and receipts to help you claim the new $2,500 American Opportunity Tax Credit for your higher education expenses in 2009.

Rep. Fattah is architect of the AOTC legislation, enacted as part of President Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The American Opportunity Tax Credit is designed to help low and moderate income students meet their college expenses.    » read more »

Wins House Approval for Emergency Mortgage Relief Plan

WASHINGTON D.C., Dec. 11, 2009 – Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA)’s $3 billion Homeowners Emergency Mortgage Assistance – already a proven success at blocking foreclosures for unemployed Pennsylvanians – was approved today by the House of Representatives.

The HEMA plan is a major provision in the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (H.R. 4173), a broad overhaul of financial markets, which passed, 223 to 202. Fattah voted for the bill.    » read more »

WASHINGTON D.C., Dec. 9, 2009 – A $3 billion emergency mortgage assistance program for unemployed homeowners – authored by Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA) and based on a successful Pennsylvania program that Fattah helped create as a young state legislator – is on the verge of passage in the House of Representatives.

“There’s broad agreement that a major threat to homeowners today is loss of their homes because of unemployment and job distress through no fault of their own,” Fattah said. “Our program is a game changer, especially for struggling homeowners in our cities and rural areas and for minorities. It will provide $3 billion in TARP funds for mortgage payments that will keep these families in their homes.    » read more »

11/16/09 -- WASHINGTON D.C. -- Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA), chairman of the bipartisan Congressional Urban Caucus, urged colleagues to support federal and private initiatives that provide venture capital in urban markets and minority communities.

“The greatest untapped market for American business can be found right here at home in the economic shadows,” Fattah said today at an Urban Caucus briefing for House members and staff.

“If the urban markets catering to African Americans and Hispanics were a separate country, those markets would represent the world’s ninth largest economy – and it’s an underserved market that can be developed to jumpstart our broader national economy.”    » read more »

11/06/09 -- Congressman Fattah released the following statement in observance of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month

Washington, DC – “Pancreatic cancer is a rare and perplexing disease yet, it is the fourth leading cause of death by cancer in the United States. This year, more than 42,000 Americans will be diagnosed with the disease and more than 35,000 will die from it. That number is far too high.

“To find a cure for pancreatic cancer researchers have to know more about this disease. That is why I am lending my full support to H.R. 7045, The Pancreatic Cancer Research and Education Act. The legislation is the first of its kind to call for a significant infusion of funds for research and education concerning this killer cancer.    » read more »

WASHINGTON D.C., Nov. 2, 2009 – Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA) issues the following statement concerning H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act:

“I am proud to announce that I will advocate for, and be voting for, the Affordable Health Care for America Act in the House of Representatives this week.

“Americans have waited far too long for a comprehensive healthcare system that the people of a great nation deserve as a fundamental right. The wait is almost over. We will vote in the House this week, and we will win this battle.    » read more »