Senate Legislation

Senate HELP Hearing on Mental Health

On May 17, 2023, a hearing was held by the Senate HELP Primary Health & Retirement Subcommittee, “A Crisis in Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Care: Closing Gaps in Access by Bringing Care and Prevention to Communities,” to discuss the disparities in access to mental health and substance use disorder care throughout the country.

Bill to End Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Reintroduced

On May 18th, 2023, Congressman Bobby Scott (D-VA) and Representative Don Beyer (D-VA)—alongside Senators Chris Murphy (D-CT), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Patty Murray (D-WA)—reintroduced the Keeping All Students Safe Act, legislation to protect students from seclusion and restraint discipline practices in school. The Keeping All Students Safe Act would prohibit any school receiving federal taxpayer

FAMILY Act for Paid Leave Reintroduced

On May 17, 2023, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) reintroduced the Family and Medical Insurance Leave (FAMILY) Act, which would create a permanent, national paid family and medical leave program. The bill would ensure that every worker, no matter the size of their employer or if they are self-employed or part-time,

Recruiting Families Using Data Act Introduced

On April 27, 2023, Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) reintroduced bipartisan legislation to improve recruitment, retention, and support for foster parents. Across the nation, states are facing a growing shortage of appropriate foster placement for children, undermining federal legislation and policy that has pushed to reduce the use of congregate care and

Child Care for Working Families Act

Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and Representative Bobby Scott (D-VA) reintroduced the Child Care for Working Families Act (CCWFA) on April 27th. Introduced every Congress since 2017, the legislation would address the ongoing crisis in child care by making it affordable for families and addressing the child care shortages that have, in many cases, made it

Bipartisan Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act Introduced

On April 27, 2023, Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Representative Ro Khanna (D-CA) and Representative Earl “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) introduced the bipartisan Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act. According to Representative Khanna’s press release, “this bipartisan, bicameral bill would provide greater oversight and data transparency for institutional youth treatment

Senate Appropriations Hearing with HHS Secretary Becerra

On March 22, 2023, the Senate Appropriations Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Subcommittee held a hearing with the Honorable Xavier Becerra, Secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), as the witness. Both Democrats and Republicans expressed their concerns over the President’s FY2024 budget requests for the Department of HHS.

Senate Budget Hearing with OMB Director

On March 15, 2023, the Senate Committee on the Budget held a hearing on the President's FY24 budget proposal. Shalanda Young, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), was the sole witness. In the current environment with a looming debt ceiling, there was a clear divide in priorities between Chairman Whitehouse [D-RI]

Senate Finance Committee Hearing: Biden’s 2024 Budget Proposal

On March 16, 2023, the Senate Finance Committee hosted a full hearing with Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen regarding Biden’s Fiscal Year 2024 Budget. The hearing additionally took place days after the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank, which inflicted federal regulators to close the banks to preserve public confidence in the U.S. banking

Senate Hearing on “The Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness”

On March 8, 2023, the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs committee held a hearing to address the current homelessness crisis. Housing affordability has been a longstanding issue, and emergency efforts during the pandemic helped significantly reduce the number of homeless people. However, this funding has now expired, and the homelessness crisis is yet again

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