It’s hard to avert our eyes even momentarily from the twin catastrophes that voting rights and reproductive rights appear to be at the moment, but Congress is considering a great many issues beyond those. Critical legislation–including around children’s health–is stuck in Congress. See our summaries below–and our notes about how you can intervene.
From the House to the Senate–and then?
Here are summaries of seven pieces of legislation passed by the House that are now with the Senate—most of which shouldn’t be controversial, even in our fractured Senate. If you want to raise this issue with your Senators, addresses follow. S-HP
1. H.R.5551: the Improving the Health of Children Act
This legislation reauthorizes funding for researching and preventing, birth defects, developmental disabilities, and other conditions and for education on the role of folic acid in preventing birth defects. This legislation is currently with the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pension Committee.
2. H.R.5561: Early Hearing Detection and Intervention
This legislation reauthorizes programs and services that support screening and early intervention for newborns, infants, and young children who are deaf or hard of hearing. This legislation is currently with the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pension Committee.
3. H.R.5487, the SHINE for Autumn Act
This legislation awards grants for data collection on stillbirths, provides education/awareness materials on stillbirths, creates a fellowship program for postgraduate training on perinatal autopsy, and supports research on stillbirths. This legislation is currently with the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pension Committee.
4. H.R.3894, the CARING for Social Determinants Act
This legislation requires the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to regularly update guidance for states on socioeconomic determinants of health under Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program. This legislation is currently with the Senate Finance Committee.
5. H.R.1155, the Uyghur Forced Labor Protection Act
This legislation imposes trade restrictions on China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous region, where China is engaged in genocide—as determined by both the U.S. and international human rights organizations—against the region’s Muslim population. It would also impose sanctions for these human rights violations. This legislation has not yet been assigned to a Senate committee.
6. H.R.5720, the Courthouse Ethics and Transparency Act
This legislation requires regular reporting on and dissemination of financial disclosure statements of federal judicial officers. This legislation has not yet been assigned to a Senate committee.
7. H.R.5314, the Protecting Our Democracy Act
This legislation addresses abuses of presidential power and creates new checks and balances, accountability, and transparency requirements through multiple measures, including placing limits on presidential pardon powers; suspending the statute of limitations on federal offenses committed by a sitting president or vice-president; clarifying Office of Government Ethics and Office of Special Counsel’s jurisdiction and enforcement powers; authorizing actions to support Congressional subpoenas; requiring the Department of Justice to maintain a log of contacts between it and the White House; increasing whistleblower protections; penalizing political appointees who engage in prohibited political activities; requiring federal campaign reporting of foreign contacts; prohibiting the provision of non-public information to political campaigns by foreign entities; and requiring release of Presidential and Vice-Presidential tax returns for the ten most recent tax years. This legislation has not yet been assigned to a Senate Committee.
For all these pieces of legislation, urge support from your Senators: Find your Senators here.
For legislation not yet assigned to Senate committees (H.R.1155, H.R.5729, H.R.5314), ask the Senate Majority Leader to expedite committee assignments: Senator Charles E. Schumer (D-NY), Senate Majority Leader, 322 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-6542. @SenSchumer.
For legislation with the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pension Committee (H.R.5561, H.R.5487, H.R.5551), urge swift, positive action: Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair, Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, 428 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-5375. @PattyMurray.
For legislation with the Senate Finance Committee (H.R.3894), urge swift positive action: Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), Chair, Senate Finance Committee, 221 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 225-5244. @RonWyden.
Spinning our Wheels: Legislation stalled in the House
The twelve pieces of legislation listed below are all with the House, but appear to have stalled out at either being assigned to a committee or being brought to a floor vote. S-HP
1. H.R.1218, the Data Mapping to Save Mom’s Lives Act
This legislation directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to include data on maternal health outcomes in its broadband health mapping tool in consultation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It also requires the Government Accountability Office to study the effectiveness of internet connectivity in improving maternal health outcomes. This legislation was assigned to three House Committees in February. In November, it was ordered reported by all three committees, meaning it can be brought to a floor vote of the full House.
There’s no excuse for the House leadership not to bring this legislation to a floor vote: Representative Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Speaker of the House, 1236 Longworth House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-4965. @SpeakerPelosi. Representative Steny Hoyer (D-MD), House Majority Leader, 1705 LongworthHouse Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-3141. @LeaderHoyer.
2. H.R.5031, the Parental Bereavement Act (also known as the Sarah Grace-Farley-Kluger Act)
This legislation would allow for unpaid leave of up to twelve weeks for parents mourning the death of a child. While this seems like a common-sense and humane piece of legislation, variations on it have been kicking about unsuccessfully in Congress for the past decade. Since August this legislation has been with three House committees: Education and Labor, Oversightand Reform, and Administration. You can find the addresses of the three committee chairs here.
3. H.R.669, Restricting the First Use of Nuclear Weapons Act
This legislation prohibits the use of federal funds for a first-use nuclear strike without Congressional authorization following a declaration of war. In February, this legislation was assigned to the House Foreign Affairs and Armed Services Committees where it remains.
Prompt, positive committee action on this legislation is essential. Representative Gregory Meeks (D-NY), Chair, House Foreign Affairs Committee, 2170 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-5021. @RepGregoryMeeks. Representative Adam Smith (D-WA), Chair, House Armed Services Committee, 2216 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-4151. @RepAdamSmith.
4 . H.R.1340, the Immigrant Detainee Legal Rights Act
This legislation would establish Department of Justice programs assisting immigrant detainees in making informed and timely decisions regarding their removal and eligibility for relief from removal; and identifying particularly vulnerable aliens, such as unaccompanied children, for right to counsel considerations. Since April, this legislation has been with the House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
This is critical legislation: urge prompt, positive committee and subcommittee action on this legislation: Representative Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Chair, House Judiciary Committee, 2141 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-3951. @RepJerryNadler. Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Chair, Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship, House Judiciary Committee, 2141 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-3951. @RepZoeLofgren.
5. H.R.1670, the Abortion is Health Care Everywhere Act
This legislation would authorize the use of foreign assistance funds for reproductive health care services, including abortion, training, and equipment. In March, it was assigned to the House Foreign Affairs Committee where it remains.
You can urge prompt, positive committee action on this legislation. Representative Gregory Meeks (D-NY), Chair, House Foreign Affairs Committee, 2170 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-5021. @RepGregoryMeeks.
6. H.R.2035, the Improving Access to Mental Health Act
This legislation would increase the Medicare reimbursement rate for social services workers and would expand the conditions under which such funds could be used. Since March, this legislation has been with the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Health and the House Ways and Means Committee Subcommittee on Health.
You can encourage prompt, positive committee and subcommittee action on this crucial legislation. Representative Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Chair, House Energy and CommerceCommittee, 2107 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202)225-4671. @FrankPallone. Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA), Chair, Health Subcommittee, House Energy and Commerce Committee, 2107 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 225-4671. @RepAnnaEshoo. Representative Richard Neal (D-MA), Chair, House Ways and Means Committee, 1102 Longworth House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-3625. @RepRichardNeal. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Chair, Health Subcommittee, House Ways and Means Committee, 1102 Longworth House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-3625. @RepLloydDoggett.
7. H.R.2805, the PROTECT Immigration Act
This legislation would limit immigration enforcement activities to immigration officers and specific Department of Homeland Security employees with specific exceptions. It also bars the Department of Justice from authorizing state or local government employees from engaging in immigration enforcement activities. In April, this legislation was assigned to the House Judiciary Committee, which has sent the legislation to its Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
Given the ways in which police and others have been expected to serve as agents of the Border Patrol, prompt, positive committee and subcommittee action on this legislation is urgent. Representative Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Chair, House Judiciary Committee, 214 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-3951. @RepJerryNadler. Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Chair, Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship, House Judiciary Committee, 2141 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-3951. @RepZoeLofgren.
8. H.R.3548, the Keeping Our Promises Act
This legislation would allow for the issuing of additional visas to Afghans who were employed by the U.S. and their family members. It has been with the House Judiciary Committee since May.
Given the risk to Afghan lives, anything but prompt, positive committee action on this legislation is inexplicable. Representative Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Chair, House Judiciary Committee, 214 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-3951. @RepJerryNadler
9. H.R.4176, the LGBTQ Data Inclusion Act
This legislation would require federal agencies that collect data via surveys including demographic data to assess changes needed to these surveys to be adjusted so that LGBTQ individuals have the opportunity to self-identify. It further requires that any publications including such data include gender identity and sexual orientation information. This legislation has been with the House Oversight and Reform Committee since June.
You can suggest that Representative Ro Khanna (D-NY), Chair of the House Oversight and Reform Committee, get this bill moving. 2308 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 225-7944. @RoKhanna.
10. H.R.4848, the Rescinding DHS’ Waiver Authority for Border Wall Act
This legislation would repeal waivers the DHS currently has that allow expedited construction of a U.S.-Mexico border wall. This legislation has been with the House Homeland Security Committee since July.
Expedited construction of the disastrous wall makes no sense. You can urge prompt, positive committee action on this legislation. Representative Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chair, House Homeland Security Committee, H2-176 Ford House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 226-2616. @BennieGThompson.
11. H.R.4766, the Supreme Court Ethics Act
This legislation would establish a one-year deadline for the Judicial Conference of the United States to issue a code of ethics, which would apply to both Justices (Supreme Court) and Judges (federal courts). This legislation has been with the House Committee on the Judiciary since July.
Need we say more? Ask Representative Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Chair, House Judiciary Committee, to move this bill forward. 214 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-3951. @RepJerryNadler.
12. H.R.5497, the BURMA Act
This legislation would authorize humanitarian assistance and civil society support, promote democracy and human rights, and impose targeted sanctions with respect to human rights abuses in Burma/Myanmar, It was ordered reported by the three House committees to which it was assigned and can now be brought to a floor vote of the full House.
You can urge the House leadership to bring this legislation to a floor vote: Representative Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Speaker of the House, 1236 Longworth House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-4965. @SpeakerPelosi. Representative Steny Hoyer (D-MD), House Majority Leader, 1705 LongworthHouse Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-3141. @LeaderHoyer.
SCIENCE, HEALTH, TECHNOLOGY & THE ENVIRONMENT
Millions unable to afford prescription drugs
In 2018-2019, 13 million people were unable to pay for their prescriptions, according to a new study from the Urban Institute. Uninsured patients are not the only ones who could not pay for their medications or had to delay taking them; those who could not manage the cost included “2.3 million elderly Medicare beneficiaries and 3.8 million nonelderly adults with private insurance, 1.1 million with Medicaid, and 4.1 million who were uninsured at any point during the year,” the report said. Notably, most of these patients had multiple chronic conditions that needed to be managed with medications.
Legislation to get a cap on drug prices failed in 2019; the Elijah E. Cummings
Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3) passed in the US House of Representatives in December of 2019 but stalled in the Senate. It would have also allowed the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate over drug prices on behalf of Medicare and private insurance plans.
Legislation to get a cap on drug prices failed in 2019; the Elijah E. Cummings
Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3) passed in the US House of Representatives in December of 2019 but stalled in the Senate. It would have also allowed the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate over drug prices on behalf of Medicare and private insurance plans. The Build Back Better Act (H.R. 5376), which passed in the House of Representatives on November 19, would contain provisions like these. As WebMD points out in its very clear description of the bill, it would also make insurance more available to people in states which have declined to expand access to Medicaid. However, it faces an uphill battle in the Senate. RLS
RESOURCES
Over 929,000 people have died in the post-9/11 wars due to direct war violence, and several times as many due to the reverberating effects of war. Over 387,000 civilians have been killed as a result of the fighting,” the project directors at the Watson Institute’s The Cost of War Project have ascertained. The Cost of War Project tracks all this and more.
To keep track of countries’ pledges–and actions–on climate, you can use the Climate Action Tracker.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has a podcast series of 70 years of displacement.
The Americans of Conscience checklist points out that there are only 55 weeks till the midterms, and suggests a series of actions you can take toward election security.
Are you trying to decide whether to go to an in-person event? The Canadian Institute on Ageing offers a detailed, well-grounded risk assessment tool.
Moms Rising always has clear, focused actions you can take to make change, this month focusing on juvenile justice.
The American Medical Association (AMA) has a useful FAQ about COVID-19 and the vaccines.
The World Food Programme estimates that 12.4 Syrians are food-insecure, an increase of 4.5 million over the last year. They are receiving donations for their work providing food for the most vulnerable families. The UNHCR is also requesting donations for displaced families in Syria and surrounding countries, particularly Lebanon and Turkey.
The UN Refugee Agency is requesting donations for humanitarian aid in Afghanistan, especially for the hundreds of thousands of displaced people. Not only because Afghan assets have been frozen, but because of massive inflation and the lack of funds to pay the salaries of public employees, the country is at risk of “a total breakdown of the economy and social order,” according to the UN Special Envoy on Afghanistan.
Among the organizations that supports kids and their families at the border is RAICES, which provides legal support. The need for their services has never been greater. You can support them here.
Al Otro Lado provides legal and humanitarian services to people in both the US and Tijuana. You can find out more about their work here.
The Minority Humanitarian Foundation supports asylum-seekers who have been released by ICE with no means of transportation or ways to contact sponsors. You can donate frequent-flyer miles to make their efforts possible.
The group Angry Tias and Abuelas provides legal advice and services to asylum-seekers at the border. You can follow their work on Facebook and see the list of volunteer opportunities they have posted.
Freedom for All Americans has a very useful legislation tracker on trans issues.