Weekly Wrap 03/06/2020
In case you missed it – Last week, the New Democrat Coalition (NDC) launched its new 20 for 2020 policy agenda, which outlines a path forward for Congress to act now on some of the nation’s most pressing issues and top priorities for Americans.
This week, the House passed the New Dem-endorsed Yes in My Back Yard (YIMBY) Act, led by Housing Task Force Co-Chair Denny Heck (WA-10), to help address the shortages. The bipartisan legislation will help address burdensome restrictions on land use, one of the root causes of our nation’s housing shortfall, identified in the NDC Housing Task Force’s Missing Millions of Homes report.
The President signed into law the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, which provides $8.3 billion in new funding to establish a robust response to this public health emergency. The legislation includes critical funding for state and local health agencies, development of vaccine and treatment options, and economic support for affected small businesses.
More on what Members have been up to below.
Coalition Highlights
The House Passed NDC-Endorsed Housing Legislation
The House passed NDC Housing Task Force Co-Chair Denny Heck’s (WA-10) YIMBY Act, which was endorsed by the full Coalition. The YIMBY Act aims to address housing affordability by increasing transparency of local zoning and land use policies, which can present barriers to affordable and market-rate housing construction.
ICYMI: News Coverage of New Dem 20 for 2020 Policy Agenda
Last week, the NDC launched its 20 for 2020 agenda, a culmination of the NDC’s priorities intended to serve as a framework for the Coalition’s legislative agenda for the remainder of the 116th Congress. Read the one pager, the full priorities document, and watch the press conference. Read more in POLITICO, MeriTalk, and The Well News.
Member Highlights
Bill Action
Axne’s Legislation to Protect American Agriculture Signed into Law
Rep. Cindy Axne’s (IA-03) Protecting America’s Food and Agriculture Act was signed into law by President Trump. The bill aims to protect the nation’s pork supply from the threat of deadly African Swine Fever through expanded agricultural inspections by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Craig’s Legislation to Save Taxpayer Dollars Signed into Law
Rep. Angie Craig’s (MN-02) bipartisan Payment Integrity Information Act was signed into law by President Trump. The bill offers commonsense reforms to the government’s oversight of taxpayer dollars, reducing the likelihood of improper payments and saving estimated billions of taxpayer dollars.
Bill Introductions
Schneider Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Address Medical Device Shortages
Rep. Brad Schneider (IL-10) introduced bipartisan legislation to address the timely threat of medical device shortages of, a threat that is currently growing as many medical device manufacturers have facilities in China, where operations have been affected by the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19). The bill would grant the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) authority to import medical devices in case of a shortage, require manufacturers to report an expected shortage of a critical or life-saving medical device, and require the FDA to post online a list of medical devices currently in shortage.
Rice Introduces Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill to Address Direct Support Professional Shortage
NDC Leadership Member Rep. Kathleen Rice (NY-04) introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals Act to address the Direct Support Professional (DSP) shortage in the workforce. DSPs provide critical support to individuals who experience disabilities, assisting with communication, providing on-the-job coaching, and helping with daily living needs.
Houlahan Introduces Bipartisan Literacy Bill
NDC Freshman Leadership Representative Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06) introduced the bipartisan Reading Early and Addressing Dyslexia (READ) Act to kick off National Education Month. The READ Act establishes a grant program that will allow states to better support their teachers instructing students on how to read.
Plaskett Introduces Legislation to Promote Hiring of Guard and Reserve Servicemembers
Rep. Stacey Plaskett (VI-AL) introduced legislation to incentivize small businesses to hire National Guard and Ready Reserve members through a tax credit. The bill also makes permanent the provisions of the credit that apply to the hiring of qualified members of the Ready Reserve and National Guard.
Pappas Introduces Legislation to Improve Access to Career and Employment Services
Rep. Chris Pappas (NH-01) introduced the American Job Centers Family Accessibility Act to create a child care program at American Job Centers across the country, easing American families’ ability to access their vast array of career and employment services.
Member Happenings
Shalala: Drop the Politics and Fight the Coronavirus via The New York Times
Rep. Donna Shalala (FL-27) penned an op-ed in The New York Times on the pressing need for politicians and government officials stop politicizing the coronavirus, put aside partisan politics, and work together with public health experts to combat the spread and instill confidence in the American people. She also highlighted the importance of rebuilding the nation’s public health infrastructure, developing emergency preparedness plans for virus outbreaks, and coordinating with state and local governments, emergency medical workers, and laboratories across the nation: “Now is not the time for political gamesmanship. The American people want politicians in Washington to stop bickering, tone down the talk, and pull together to save lives. We might have different opinions on the effectiveness of the coronavirus response so far, but ultimately, our views are not the ones that matter. The public health experts who are leading this response are the voices we need in this crisis.”
Norcross: Affordable Child Care a Must for N.J.’s Student Parents via NJ.com
Rep. Donald Norcross (NJ-01) penned an op-ed in NJ.com on the need for student-parents to have access to quality, affordable child care, highlighting the rising costs of care and the declining rates of campus child care facilities on community colleges and four-year institutions across the nation: “We must level the playing field. This year, I’ll fight in Congress for the futures of our children and grandchildren. I’m focused on helping the hard-working student-parents who, much like my younger self, are struggling to find quality child care options.”
ICYMI: Rep. Xochitl Torres-Small named to the House Agriculture Committee
The Democratic Steering and Policy Committee announced late last week the placement of Rep. Xochitl Torres Small of New Mexico to the House Agriculture Committee.
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