9/28 Weekly Legislative Update

NATIONAL

This week the Senate will begin the process of confirming Trump’s nominee to the Supreme Court with only days left before the election and after voting in many states has already begun. The Republican votes are solidified toward confirmation. What we can do is call our senators every day to remind them that the people should be allowed to speak through the election and that no confirmation should take place until the next President is inaugurated—the very public stance of the Republicans in 2016. For what each Republican senator said in 2016 about voting on a justice after Anthonin Scalia died, see this list from PBS Newshour. (Desjardins, Lisa. “What Every Republican Senator has said about filling a Supreme Court vacancy in an election year.” PBS Newshour. 19 September 2020: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/what-every-republican-senator-has-said-about-filling-a-supreme-court-vacancy-in-an-election-year.)
Neither of Indiana’s senator’s were elected at that time, but Todd Young is on record in support of the 2016 Republican view:
“U.S. Rep. Todd Young, R-Bloomington, who won the Republican nomination to succeed Coats on Tuesday, agrees a new justice should only be seated after the election.”(Carden, Dan. “Coats OK with Trump nominating Supreme Court justice.” 04 May 2016: https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/coats-ok-with-trump-nominating-supreme-court-justice/article_09ffad1e-ffe9-5a1b-939b-11548ff05ee6.html.)
From Todd Young in March, 2016, “Given that this lifetime appointment could reshape the Supreme Court for generations I would prefer that the American people be offered an opportunity to weigh in this fall, and I share Vice President Joe Biden’s reservations about the Senate holding confirmation hearings during a Presidential election year; it’s about principle and process, not the person.” (Blasko, Erin. “Senators, Senate candidates weigh in on nomination.” South Bend Tribune. 17 March 2016: https://cutt.ly/xfJh0ww.)
(The reference to Biden is from 1992 and was hypothetical; there was not a Supreme Court vacancy at that time.)
Set aside 10 minutes everyday to call your Senators!
Contact your Senators:
Braun, Mike
374 Russell Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510
(202) 224-4814
Contact: www.braun.senate.gov/contact-mike

Young, Todd
185 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510
(202) 224-5623
Contact: www.young.senate.gov/contact

Join Indivisible’s Save SCOTUS: https://savescotus.indivisible.org/ , which even helps you with a sample script—along with other ways to take action.
Be sure to get involved with the Payback Project to take back the Senate!
Check out all the ways Indivisible can help you make a difference: https://indivisible.org/campaigns

Passed House and Senate

H.R. 6168: Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2020
Congress.gov: “This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to increase, as of December 1, 2020, the rates of veterans’ disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents, the clothing allowance for certain disabled veterans, and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children. The percentage increase in benefits shall be the same as the cost-of-living increase for Social Security recipients.”
Passed the Senate on September 24 by unanimous consent and goes to the President next.

H.R. 4779 – To extend the Undertaking Spam, Spyware, And Fraud Enforcement With Enforcers beyond Borders Act of 2006, and for other purposes.
Congress.gov: “This bill reauthorizes through FY2027 the U.S. SAFE WEB Act of 2006, which permits the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to take certain actions to protect consumers from cross-border fraud and deception occurring over the internet. The bill further requires the FTC to report on its activities concerning cross-border, online fraud and provide any policy recommendations to address such fraud.”
Passed the Senate September 24 by voice vote and sent to the President.

H.R. 1812: Vet Center Eligibility Expansion Act
Causes.com: “To amend title 38, United States Code, to furnish Vet Center readjustment counseling and related mental health services to certain individuals.”
Passed the Senate by unanimous consent September 24 and sent to the President.

S. 743: Merrill’s Marauders Congressional Gold Medal Act
Congress.gov: “This bill directs Congress to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional), commonly known as Merrill’s Marauders, in recognition of their bravery and outstanding service in the jungles of Burma (Myanmar) during World War II. Following its award, the gold medal shall be given to the Smithsonian Institution where it shall be displayed and made available for research.”
Passed the House on September 22 without objection and now goes to the President.

S. 2661: National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020
Congress.gov: “This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission to designate 9-8-8 as the universal telephone number for a national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Veterans Affairs must jointly report on how to make the use of 9-8-8 operational and effective across the country, and HHS must develop a strategy to provide access to competent, specialized services for high-risk populations such as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) youth; minorities; and rural individuals.”
Passed the House by voice vote on September 21 and goes to the President next.

S. 982: Not Invisible Act of 2019
Congress.gov: “This bill increases the coordination of efforts to reduce violent crime within Indian lands and against Indians.
Specifically, the Department of the Interior must designate an official within the Bureau of Indian Affairs to coordinate prevention efforts, grants, and programs related to missing Indians and the murder and human trafficking of Indians.
In addition, Interior and the Department of Justice (DOJ) must (1) establish a joint commission on violent crime within Indian lands and against Indians, and (2) submit a written response to the recommendations developed by the joint commission.
The joint commission must develop and make publicly available recommendations to Interior and DOJ on actions to combat violent crime against Indians and within Indian lands, including recommendations for identifying, reporting, and responding to instances of missing persons, murder, and human trafficking.”
Passed the House by voice vote on September 21; it goes to the President next.

S. 294: Native American Business Incubators Program Act
Congress.gov: “This bill requires the Department of the Interior to establish a grant program in the Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development for establishing and operating business incubators that serve Native American communities. A business incubator is an organization that (1) provides physical workspace and facilities resources to startups and established businesses, and (2) is designed to accelerate the growth and success of businesses through a variety of business support resources and services. Grant applicants may be institutions of higher education, private nonprofits, Native American tribes, or tribal nonprofits.”
Passed the House September 21 by voice vote and goes to the President next.

S. 227: Savanna’s Act
Congress.gov: “This bill directs the Department of Justice (DOJ) to review, revise, and develop law enforcement and justice protocols to address missing or murdered Native Americans.”
Passed the House by voice vote on September 21 and goes to the President next.

Passed House

H.R. 4447: Expanding Access to Sustainable Energy Act of 2019 [Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act]
Causes.com: “This bill…combines several bills seeking to funnel money toward research and development of a number of types of clean energy, boost green infrastructure, and promote energy efficiency in buildings and invest in renewable technologies, energy sources, and workforce training. It also includes provisions to improve the electricity grid, broaden investments in and access to electric vehicles, and establish a number of grant programs to achieve environmental justice for underserved communities.”
Passed Sept. 24. See your representative’s vote: https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2020206.

H.R. 8337: Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and Other Extensions Act
Congress.gov: “This bill provides continuing FY2021 appropriations to federal agencies through December 11, 2020, and extends several programs.
It is known as a continuing resolution (CR) and prevents a government shutdown that would otherwise occur if the FY2021 appropriations bills have not been enacted when FY2021 begins on October 1, 2020.
Read more about this bill: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/8337?s=2&r=1
Passed the House on September 22 and was sent to the Senate. See your representative’s vote: https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2020198.
H.R. 8337 “…would provide funding for the federal government through December 11, 2020, to prevent a partial government shutdown on September 30th, in addition to extending programs that would otherwise see their authorization lapse. It would also extend pandemic-related changes to food assistance programs and replenish the Commodity Credit Corporation. (CCC).” (Causes.com ) A breakdown of its various provisions can be found at causes.com.

H.R.8247 – Veterans COMPACT Act of 2020
Causes.com: “To make certain improvements relating to the transition of individuals to services from the Department of Veterans Affairs, suicide prevention for veterans, and care and services for women veterans, and for other purposes.”
Passed September 23 by voice vote; a record of individual votes was not taken.

H.R. 7592 STIFLE Act of 2020: Stopping Trafficking, Illicit Flows, Laundering, and Exploitation Act of 2020
Congress.gov: “To require the Comptroller General of the United States to carry out a study on trafficking, and for other purposes.
Passed the House on September 21 by voice vote and has arrived in the Senate where it was referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

H.R.7574 – Strengthening America’s Strategic National Stockpile Act of 2020
Congress.gov: “To amend the Public Health Service Act with respect to the Strategic National Stockpile, and for other purposes.”
Read the bill: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/7574/text?r=13&s=3
Passed the House on September 21 and was sent to the Senate where it was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

H.R. 7105: DELIVER Act
Causes.com: “To provide flexibility for the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in caring for homeless veterans during a covered public health emergency, and for other purposes.”
Congress.gov: Passed by voice bill on September 23 and sent to the Senate where it was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

H.R. 6934 Uniform Treatment of NRSROs Act
Causes.com: “To amend the CARES Act to require the uniform treatment of nationally recognized statistical rating organizations under certain programs carried out in response to the COVID–19 emergency, and for other purposes.”
Passed by voice vote September 21 and was sent to the Senate where it was referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

H.R. 6735: COVID-19 Fraud Prevention Act
Congress.gov: “This bill establishes the Consumer and Investor Fraud Working Group to prevent fraud during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic. The working group must report monthly regarding resources available to consumers, public enforcement actions, and related consumer complaints.”
Passed the House on September 21 and was sent to the Senate where it was referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

H.R. 5245: SHIELD for Veterans Act Stopping Harm and Implementing Enhanced Lead-time for Debts) s Act
Congress.gov: “This bill updates debt collection and overpayment processes related to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits or programs.Specifically, the bill prohibits the VA from collecting all or any part of an amount owed under a VA program if the amount is owed for any payment or overpayment that was caused by the amount of time taken by the VA to process information provided by or on behalf of an individual.” Read more at Congress.gov.
Passed the House by voice vote on September 23 and was sent to the Senate where it was placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders.

H.R. 4447 Expanding Access to Sustainable Energy Act of 2019
Congress.gov: “This bill requires the Department of Energy to award grants to assist rural electric cooperatives with identifying, evaluating, designing, and demonstrating energy storage and microgrid projects that utilize energy from renewable energy sources. (A microgrid is a group of interconnected loads and distributed energy resources that acts as a single controllable entity and that can connect and disconnect from the grid to operate in grid-connected or island mode.)”
Passed the House on September 24.
See your representative’s vote

H.R. 3798: Equal Access to Contraception for Veterans Act
Congress.gov: “This bill prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs from requiring payment from a veteran for any contraceptive item or service that is required to be covered by health insurance plans without a cost-sharing requirement.”
Passed the House September 23 by voice vote and sent to the Senate where it referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

H.R. 451: Don’t Break Up the T-Band Act
Congress.gov: “This bill repeals the requirement for the Federal Communications Commission to reallocate and auction the 470-512 MHz band (referred to as the “T-Band spectrum”). The T-Band spectrum is a frequency range currently utilized by public-safety entities in certain urban areas.
Passed the House September 23 and sent to the Senate where it was referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
See your representative’s vote.

H.R. 6735: COVID-19 Fraud Prevention Act
Congress.gov: “This bill establishes the Consumer and Investor Fraud Working Group to prevent fraud during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic. The working group must report monthly regarding resources available to consumers, public enforcement actions, and related consumer complaints.”
Passed by voice vote on September 21 and sent to the Senate where it was referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. 

H.R. 6284: Improving Emergency Disease Response via Housing Act of 2020
Congress.gov: “This bill requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to share with the Department of Health and Human Services information regarding populations that are particularly vulnerable to or at risk of contracting COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Specifically, HUD must identify the location of projects for supportive housing for the elderly and the location of Continuums of Care with a high concentration of unsheltered homelessness.
Passed by voice vote on September 21 and sent to the Senate where it was referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

H.R. 5619: Suicide Prevention Act
Congress.gov: “This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish two grant programs to prevent self-harm and suicide.
First, HHS must award grants to state, local, and tribal health departments to expand surveillance of self-harm. In awarding these grants, HHS must prioritize recipients in areas that experience rates of nonfatal suicidal behavior that are above the national average and must take into account other factors such as the unique needs of rural communities. As a condition of receiving this funding, recipients must agree to share data on suicide and self-harm with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Second, HHS must award grants to hospital emergency departments for programs to prevent suicide attempts among patients after discharge, including programs for screening patients for self-harm and suicide and providing short-term preventive services, as appropriate. In addition, HHS must develop standards of practice for such screenings.”
Passed the House on September 21 and was sent to the Senate where it was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

H.R. 6735: COVID-19 Fraud Prevention Act
Congress.gov: “This bill establishes the Consumer and Investor Fraud Working Group to prevent fraud during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic. The working group must report monthly regarding resources available to consumers, public enforcement actions, and related consumer complaints.”
Passed by voice vote on September 21 and sent to the Senate where it was referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. 

H.R. 6284: Improving Emergency Disease Response via Housing Act of 2020
Congress.gov: “This bill requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to share with the Department of Health and Human Services information regarding populations that are particularly vulnerable to or at risk of contracting COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Specifically, HUD must identify the location of projects for supportive housing for the elderly and the location of Continuums of Care with a high concentration of unsheltered homelessness.
Passed by voice vote on September 21 and sent to the Senate where it was referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

H.R. 5619: Suicide Prevention Act
Congress.gov: “This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish two grant programs to prevent self-harm and suicide.
First, HHS must award grants to state, local, and tribal health departments to expand surveillance of self-harm. In awarding these grants, HHS must prioritize recipients in areas that experience rates of nonfatal suicidal behavior that are above the national average and must take into account other factors such as the unique needs of rural communities. As a condition of receiving this funding, recipients must agree to share data on suicide and self-harm with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Second, HHS must award grants to hospital emergency departments for programs to prevent suicide attempts among patients after discharge, including programs for screening patients for self-harm and suicide and providing short-term preventive services, as appropriate. In addition, HHS must develop standards of practice for such screenings.”
Passed the House on September 21 and was sent to the Senate where it was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

H.R.5602: Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act of 2020
Congress.gov: “To authorize dedicated domestic terrorism offices within the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to analyze and monitor domestic terrorist activity and require the Federal Government to take steps to prevent domestic terrorism.”
Passed on September 21 and was sent to the Senate where it was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

H.R. 5309: “ Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair Act of 2019 or the CROWN Act of 2019
Congress.gov: “This bill prohibits discrimination based on a person’s hair texture or hairstyle if that style or texture is commonly associated with a particular race or national origin. Specifically, the bill prohibits this type of discrimination against those participating in federally assisted programs, housing programs, public accommodations, and employment.
The bill stipulates that a person shall have equal rights and shall not be subjected to prohibited practices based on their hair texture or style.The bill provides for enforcement procedures under the applicable laws.”
Passed by voice bill and sent to the Senate where it was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

H.R. 4995: Excellence in Maternal Health Act of 2019
Congress.gov: “This bill expands initiatives to address maternal health in rural areas and promote innovation in the field. Specifically, the bill requires the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to establish rural obstetric networks for improving outcomes in birth and maternal morbidity through collaboration, training, and program evaluation” and more.
Passed by September 21 by voice vote and was sent to the Senate where it was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

H.R. 4585: Campaign to Prevent Suicide Act
Congress.gov: “This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services, in coordination with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, to develop, implement, and evaluate a national media campaign focused on suicide prevention. In addition, the national suicide prevention hotline must be a three-digit, toll-free number.”
Passed the House by voice vote on September 21 and sent to the Senate where it was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

H.R. 4564: Suicide Prevention Lifeline Improvement Act of 2020
Congress.gov: “This bill expands the requirements for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Program. Specifically, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration must (1) develop a plan to ensure the provision of high quality service, (2) strengthen data-sharing agreements to facilitate the transmission of epidemiological data from the program to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and (3) implement a pilot program focused on using other communications platforms (e.g., social media and texting) for suicide prevention. The bill also directs the Government Accountability Office to study the program.”
Passed the House by voice vote on September 21 and was sent to the Senate where it was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

H.R. 3935: Protecting Patients Transportation to Care Act
Congress.gov: “This bill provides statutory authority for the requirement that state Medicaid programs cover nonemergency transportation to medically necessary services. The bill also requires states, as a condition of federal payment for such transportation services, to comply with certain utilization management requirements. States must also establish mechanisms that ensure transportation providers and drivers meet specified quality and safety standards.

H.R. 2271: Scarlett’s Sunshine on Sudden Unexpected Death Act
Congress.gov: “This bill establishes various programs for the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) to award grants to states, local agencies, and nonprofit organizations to address sudden unexpected infant and childhood deaths.”
Passed by voice vote on September 21 and sent to the Senate where it was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

H.R. 1646: Helping Emergency Responders Overcome Act or the HERO Act
Congress.gov: “This bill establishes a series of programs relating to the behavioral health of public-safety officers (e.g., law enforcement officers, firefighters, ambulance crew members, and 9-1-1 operators) and health care providers. For example, the bill establishes (1) a public-safety officer suicide-reporting system at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, (2) a grant program for peer-support behavioral health and wellness programs within fire departments and emergency medical services agencies, and (3) a grant program for behavioral health and wellness programs for health care providers.”
Passed by voice vote on September 21 and sent to the Senate where it was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Congress, mostly the House, passed 78 bills last week. For a complete list and links to more information about each bill, go to www.congress.gov and search for legislation. Sort by date, newest to oldest.

Upcoming Legislation and Committee Hearings

The Senate is set to take up funding the Government through Dec. 11 to avoid a partial government shutdown on September 30. Negotiators are considering coronavirus relief legislation. Senators are set to begin one on one meeting with the Supreme Court Justice nominee, Amy Coney Barrett.
The House is set to consider 50 bills.

Congress has also scheduled a number of committee hearings.

Learn more about upcoming legislation at Causes.com. (Revell, Eric. “This Week in Congress.” This Week in Congress. 28 September. 2020: https://www.causes.com/articles/46192-senate-takes-bill-avoid-gov-t-shutdown-house-returns-scheduled-work-week-election.)

Learn more about the House committee hearings at U.S. House of Representatives Committee Repository.

Learn more about the Senate committee hearings from the U.S. Senate Hearings and Meetings.

In Other News

Who are we? The UN issued a plea for a global effort to distribute any future vaccine to all countries, poor and rich alike. But since the U.S., Russia, China and have bowed out of that initiative, it is unlikely to happen. More than 150 countries have agreed to the effort. (Cara, Anna. “Are people to be left to die?’ Vaccine pleas fill UN summit.” AP News. 24 September 2020: https://cutt.ly/afVI43w.)

On Saturday Trump announced his nomination to the Supreme Court. She is a reliable consitutionalist conservative. (Associated Press. “A Look at Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s Notable Opinions, Votes.27 September 2020: https://apnews.com/article/immigration-us-supreme-court-courts-gun-politics-donald-trump-35952597b427fe95b4099a798d5836e4.)

Reports were made public that detail Trump’s astounding tax refunds, millions in debts that will soon be due, and little to nothing paid in taxes over the last several years. (Wiseman, Paul and Christopher Rugaber. “5 takeaways from NY Times report on Trump’s tax returns.” AP News. 28 September 2020: https://cutt.ly/Cf0bZUx .)

Fight over private school aid ends in defeat for Betsy DeVos
The Department of Education told state school chiefs that it will not appeal a decision by a federal judge that blocked its rule about aid to private schools.

To find and contact your Members of Congress: https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials

Indiana

Early voting begins on Tuesday, October 6th and ends at Noon on Monday, November 2nd.
Early voting in Lake County: https://www.lakecountyin.org/cms?type=doc&name=/lcportal-cms/voters/IN_PERSON_VOTING_LOCATIONS.pdf
In Porter Country: https://porterco.org/1111/Early-Voting

Indiana hospitals are calling on Congress to extend the payback deadline for a loan given during the pandemic. If this doesn’t happen soon some hospitals, especially in rural areas, may close.”(Sullivan, Kayla. “Indiana hospitals seek loan extension to overcome pandemic.” Fox 59. 25 September 2020: https://fox59.com/news/indiana-hospitals-seek-loan-extension-to-overcome-pandemic/)

As Indiana’s graduating high school students are becoming more diverse, a report released Thursday by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education shows ongoing disparities in postsecondary readiness and completion.  (The Statehouse File)

States collected more tax revenue in fiscal 2020 than many budget analysts initially expected, given the global pandemic and recession that began this spring. Some analysts also are increasing their estimates for tax collections in fiscal 2021, which in most states began July 1  (Stateline.Org)

Indiana has paid out all of its $1.2 billion unemployment fund between mid-March and this week. As a result, Indiana is on track to borrow $400 million from the federal government to pay state unemployment benefits through the end of the year. (Carden, Dan. “Indiana projected to borrow up to $400 million to pay unemployment benefits.” 21 September 21 2020:https://cutt.ly/9fL4Y9t)

To find and contact your Indiana legislators: http://iga.in.gov/legislative/find-legislators/