The Senate gave final approval to a concurrent budget resolution when 51 Republican Senators approved the measure last Tuesday. The resolution allows for two significant actions: it allows Congress to spend more on the Defense Department while keeping a cap on domestic spending and it allows for reconciliation. Although it is not law it is
The concurrent resolution is binding in regard to how Congress can use the reconciliation process, although they could decide not to pass a reconciliation bill. Under the agreement it allows reconciliation but narrows it to fewer committees then what the House had proposed. Like the Senate resolution, it directs the Finance Committee and the HELP
The Brookings Institution was the setting this past Tuesday, May 5 for a discussion "Can States Improve Children's Health by Preventing Abuse and Neglect". As part of discussion there was a new release of The Future of Children from Princeton and the Brookings Institution: Policies to Promote Child Health. Although the focus of the discussion
The CWLA 2015 National Conference took place in Washington DC with over 60 workshops and additional super sessions, plenary speakers and recognition of various champions. The Conference was also the setting for the official release of the 2015 CWLA Legislative Agenda. CWLA members went to Capitol Hill emphasizing three topics: Protect Vital Human Services in
CWLA recognized three members of Congress for their advocacy and work over the past year. Senator Patty Murray was recognized on Monday as a Congressional Champion for her on going work on behalf of children. As the Ranking Member of the Senate HELP Committee and as a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor-HHS-Education
Republican negotiators reached final budget resolution as described here on the House Budget Committee site. Last week there was some back and forth between House and Senate Republicans about some spending issues but all the hold-ups were cleared and by week’s end it was passed by the House by a vote of 226-197 late Thursday.
On Thursday, April 30, the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Human Resources held a hearing on the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant. The hearing could be the precursor to a full reauthorization of the program which was last reauthorized in 2005, it has expired and received a series of short
In light of last week’s hearings, Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA) and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse have reintroduced a bill from the last Congress that would reauthorize the Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA). The legislation carries over some of the reforms included in that legislation which was introduced at the end of last year. It
The CWLA 2015 National Conference starts on Sunday, April 26 with over 60 workshops and additional sessions, presentations, meetings and events beginning the next day. One of the main features will be Tuesday, April 28, Hill Day in which members are asked to go to Capitol Hill to meet their members of Congress to educate
Last week the Senate passed S 178, the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act. Before passing the bill senators added several amendments including additional requirements under the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) along with several other amendments. The legislation had been caught up in a debate over abortion and the nomination of Loretta