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Congress: A Number of Measures for Women Veterans, Child Protection, Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse Act, Federal Interns Protection Act, Opioid Epidemic

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House Committee Approves the Building Supportive Networks for Women Veterans Act: Jean Shaheen

On May 17, the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs approved, by voice vote, H.R. 91, the Building Supportive Networks for Women Veterans Act, sponsored by Rep. Julia Brownley (D-CA). The legislation would create a counseling program to “provide reintegration and readjustment services in group retreat settings to women veterans who are recently separated from service.”  The House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health approved the bill on April 6 (see The Source, 4/7/17).

Senator (D-NH) Jean Shaheen, credit US Senate*

On May 17, the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs held a hearing on several bills, including S. 681, the Deborah Sampson Act, and S. 804, the Women Veterans Access to Quality Care Act of 2017.

S. 681:  Sponsored by Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT), the legislation would establish a peer-to-peer assistance program for women veterans. Among other provisions, the bill would require medical facilities operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to include at least one full-time or part-time women’s health primary care provider.

S. 804:  Sponsored by Sen. Dean Heller (R-NV), the measure would require every medical center operated by the VA to include a full-time obstetrician-gynecologist. In addition, the bill would require an examination of medical centers to ensure that they are able to meet the health needs of women veterans.

The following witnesses testified:

  • Jennifer S. Lee, deputy under secretary for Health Policy and Services, Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs;
  • Louis Celli, director, National Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Division, The American Legion;
  • Kayda Keleher, associate director, National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars;
  • Adrian Atizado, deputy national legislative director, Disabled American Veterans;
  • Allison Jaslow, executive director, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America; and
  • David Cox, national president, American Federation of Government Employees.

 On May 17, the House approved H.R. 653, the Federal Intern Protection Act of 2017, sponsored by Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD). Among other provisions, the legislation would protect interns in the federal government from harassment and discrimination in the workplace. The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee passed the bill on March 8 (see The Source, 3/10/17).


This Week: 
 On Tuesday, President Trump will release his FY2018 budget. 
Floor Action: 
Child Protection — On Monday, the House is scheduled to consider several bills, including H.R. 1862, the Global Child Protection Act, H.R. 1842, the Strengthening Children’s Safety Act, H.R. 1188, the Adam Walsh Reauthorization Act, H.R. 883, the Targeting Child Predators Act, H.R. 695, the Child Protection Improvements Act, and H.R. 1625, the Targeted Rewards for the Global Eradication of Human Trafficking Act. 
 
On Tuesday, the House is scheduled to consider H.R. 1809, the Juvenile Justice Reform Act, H.R. 1808, the Improving Support for Missing and Exploited Children Act, and H.R. 2473, the Put Trafficking Victims First Act. 
 
On Thursday, the House is scheduled to consider H.R. 1973, the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse Act, and H.R. 1761, the Protecting Against Child Exploitation Act. 
 
Military – On Tuesday, the House is scheduled to consider H.R. 2052, the Protecting the Rights of Individuals Against Technological Exploitation Act. 
Mark-Ups:
 International- On Thursday, the House Foreign Affairs Committee will mark up H.R. 2484, the Women, Peace, and Security Act.   

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