November 22, 2019

Weekly Wrap Up

Week 47 (November 22)

The House’s impeachment inquiry into the President’s actions continued this week as the House Intelligence Committee held more public hearings. The evidence makes clear President Trump abused the power of his office to press Ukraine to announce investigations in order to benefit his own political prospects. This week’s witness testimony left no doubt that, up until President Trump got caught in the act, both a presidential meeting and security aid were conditioned on Ukrainian President Zelensky delivering the political favor. No one is above the law—to defend our democracy, the House will determine how best to hold President Trump accountable. 

This week on the floor, the House passed a continuing resolution to extend government funding through December 20th, which will keep the government open and ensure funding for critical budget priorities. This CR provides a 3.1% pay raise for our armed forces and ensures an accurate and thorough Census in 2020. Despite delays caused by Senate Republican inaction, House Democrats will continue to lead to responsibly complete the appropriations process.

In addition, House Democrats voted to protect our nation’s caregivers—including nurses, social workers, and many others who dedicate their lives to caring for those in need—by passing the Workplace Violence Prevention for Healthcare and Social Service Workers Act. Health care and social service workers are four times as likely to suffer a serious workplace violence injury than workers in other sectors, which is why this legislation is vital. 

This Week’s Votes

  • H.R. 1309 – Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act – Requires employers within the health care and social services industries to develop and implement a workplace violence prevention plan.

    • Compels the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to issue an interim workplace violence prevention standard within one year of enactment and a final standard within 42 months of enactment.

    • Protects health care and social service workers in the public sector in the 24 states not covered by OSHA protections.

    • Requires training, reporting, and incident investigations as well as protection from retaliation for reporting violent incidents.

  • H.R. 3055 – Furthering Continuing Appropriations Act, 2020, and Further Health Extenders Act of 2019

    • Provides $7.28 billion for the Census Bureau, of which not less than $90 million being for the delivery of Mobile Questionnaire Assistance Centers.

    • Ensures the current caseload in the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, which serves low-income seniors, is maintained.

    • Allows for all members of the uniformed services to receive a 3.1% pay raise.

    • Includes funding for research on the prevention and cure for Type 1 diabetes.

    • Allocates funds for adolescent education programs to provide grants for the Sexual Risk Avoidance Education and State Personal Responsibility Education programs.

    • Funds the Community Mental Health Services Demonstration program, allowing states to deliver mental and substance use disorder treatment to Medicaid beneficiaries.

    • Extends funding for programs that support outreach, enrollment, and education for low-income Medicare beneficiaries.

    • Clarifies that Alaska Native regional health entities may receive disbursements from the Indian Health Service to provide health care services.

    • Reduces the Medicaid Improvement Fund from $2.387 billion to $1.96 billion.

    • Includes several improvements to ensure fairness and equity among the widows and children of 9/11 victims.

Catch Us In The News

What We’re Reading

Looking Ahead

 Next week the House will be in a District Work Period. Happy Thanksgiving! 

Check back next week to learn more about how Congressman Correa is fighting for Orange County.