Congress must prioritize front-line workers, children

Kroger employee responds

Regarding “Kroger employees rally for return of hazard pay,” (B1, Sept. 16): As a front-line worker at Kroger, the last few months have been full of stress, uncertainty and pressure. The company has clearly shown profits come before people. They gave us hero pay for just two months — which only came after competition pressure and was removed during the peak of Harris County’s outbreak.

Sen. John Cornyn is a major part of the problem. We take a chance on a daily basis to serve the public and keep our families safe as well. His warped priorities completely undermine the risk and sacrifice put forth by front-line workers. Cornyn hasn’t done enough to pass another coronavirus aid bill. The time is now to make our voices heard. To get the required change, we need MJ Hegar. She will use her platform to stand up for the rights that people deserve. Hegar has my vote because I believe she is the change that’s needed to handle our future.

Connienaice Coleman, Katy

Remember hungry children

Kids in this nation are struggling to get enough to eat, including right here in Texas. Congress has the opportunity to change that, but they must act now. There are nutrition programs that work together to help address this crisis — SNAP, school meals and Pandemic EBT, specifically. But these programs need urgent action. Schools need child nutrition waivers extended through the end of the academic year so they can plan and prepare their meal programs for kids in need. Pandemic EBT, which provides a benefit to replace some of those meals when school buildings are closed, must be extended to help families throughout the upcoming year. And SNAP benefits must be increased by 15 percent during this crisis — about $25 per person per month. The clock is ticking to put our nation back on a path to end hunger. I’m calling on Reps. Henry Cuellar, Nancy Pelosi and Kevin McCarthy to stand up for kids.

Franco Cruz, senior program manager, No

Kid Hungry Texas