Eleanor Holmes Norton and Stephen Colbert
Hearings:
Family Support– On Wednesday, the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Human Resources will hold a hearing, “Reauthorization of the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program.”
Child Protection– On Thursday, the House Education and the Workforce Committee will hold a hearing, “Honoring our Commitment to Recover and Protect Missing Exploited Children.”
On Thursday, the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations will hold a hearing, “Combatting Crimes Against Children: Assessing the Legal Landscape.”
House Passes Fairness for Breastfeeding Mothers Act: On March 7, the House passed, by voice vote, H.R. 1174, the Fairness for Breastfeeding Mothers Act, sponsored by Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), a bill to expand access to public lactation rooms shielded from public view and free from intrusion in federal buildings.
Senate Passes Resolution Raising Awareness of Modern Slavery: On March 7, the Senate passed, by unanimous consent, S. Res. 68, a resolution raising awareness of modern slavery, sponsored by Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN). The resolution notes that 55 percent of forced labor victims are women or girls and one in five victims of slavery is a child. In addition, the resolution emphasizes the need for international action to bring an end to modern slavery around the world.
On March 8, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee passed H.R. 653, the Federal Intern Protection Act, and HR. 680, the Eliminating Pornography from Agencies Act.
Bills Introduced by House and Senate
Child Protection
S. 534—Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)/ Judiciary (3/6/17)—A bill to prevent the sexual abuse of minors and amateur athletes by requiring the prompt reporting of sexual abuse to law enforcement authorities, and for other purposes.
Employment
S. 528—Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT)/Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (3/6/17)—A bill to amend the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 to provide leave because of the death of a son or daughter.
Judiciary
H.R. 1447—Rep. Scott Taylor (R-VA)/Judiciary (3/9/17)—A bill to extend the protections of the Fair Housing Act to persons suffering discrimination on the basis of sex or sexual orientation, and for other purposes.
Miscellaneous
S. Res. 84—Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH)/Considered and agreed to (3/8/17)—A resolution supporting the goals of International Women’s Day.
Tax Policy
S. 598—Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)/Finance (3/9/17)—A bill to provide an above-the-line deduction for child care expenses, and for other purposes.
H.R. 1466—Rep. Katherine Clark (D-MA)/Ways and Means (3/9/17)—A bill to provide a high quality child care tax credit, and for other purposes.
With permission from the Women’s Congressional Policy Institute (WCPI)
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