Becerra Goes Before Two Senate Committees for Confirmation

On Tuesday, February 23, and Wednesday, February 24, 2021, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra testified before the Senate HELP and Finance Committees in order to get a confirmation vote before the full Senate.   HELP Committee Chair Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) offered high praise for the former Congressman by saying, “Given the urgency of this

Biden Administration Moves to Remove Medicaid/Work Requirements From Court Docket

On Tuesday, February 22, 2021, the Biden Administration moved to vacate the March Supreme Court hearing to consider whether or not the Trump Administration’s approval of work requirements through Medicaid waivers is legal. The Biden Administration is working to repeal the approval of those work waivers in a dozen states.   On February 12, 2021,

Administration Give Priority to Small Businesses for PPP

Last Wednesday, February 24, 2021, the Biden Administration opened a window of February 24 through March 9, 2021, for businesses (including non-profits) of 20 or less employees to apply for a second-round application for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).   The program was extended again this year after last year’s December COVID-19 package was signed

Analysis of State Economies Show Government Job Loss

The COVID-19 reconciliation bill moving through Congress would provide state and local governments with $350 billion in relief, and a new analysis by the Washington Post seems to demonstrate states will need it.   On February 15, 2021, the Post published a story that shows states losing 1.3 million jobs since the start of the pandemic. State

Becerra Hearings This Week, CMS Nomination, More HHS Appointments

The Senate HELP Committee will hold a hearing on the selection of Xavier Becerra to be the next Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. The HELP Committee is one of two committees that review the nomination for HHS. The HELP hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, February 23, 2021, at 10:00 AM (430

HealthCare.gov Special Enrollment Period 2021

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) created an emergency Special Enrollment Period (SEP) due to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) that would allow individuals and families to apply and enroll in the coverage they need, after President Biden Executive Order issued last month, January 28, 2021.   Some of the life changes that can qualify

National Day of Action: Monday, February 22—Urge Congress to Pass the #AmericanRescuePlan

CWLA will be joining FRAC, the Coalition on Human Needs, MomsRising, NETWORK Lobby, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, First Focus, many other leading anti-poverty organizations, and advocates across the country on Monday, February 22 for a Digital/Call-in Day of Action urging Congress to pass the American Rescue Plan.   Follow CWLA’s Action Center

Older Youth Pandemic Relief: Extension of Foster Care Services

On Wednesday, February 17, 2021, Foster Club and the Juvenile Law Center co-hosted another Older Youth Pandemic Relief. This session discussed the extension of foster care services provisions from the Supporting Foster Youth and Families Through the Pandemic Act included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act legislation passed in December 2020.   Presenters included Jennifer Pokempner from

Democrats Formally Introduce Sweeping Immigration Bill

On Thursday, February 18, 2021, Congressional Democrats introduced a sweeping immigration bill. Unveiled by Representative Linda T. Sánchez (D-CA) and Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ), this legislation is based on the proposal announced by President Biden on his first day in office, which would be called the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021.   The bill introduces

House Assembles Reconciliation, Many Priority Areas Funded

Last week, nine House Committees acted on their parts of a reconciliation bill that will make up President Biden’s COVID-19 relief measure. Within the package are key CWLA priorities, including more than $39 billion in child care funding, year one of a Children’s Allowance, $350 billion in state and local government relief, $350 million more in

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