Women’s Congressional Policy Institute: Child Trafficking, Increasing Survivors Benefits for Disabled Widows, Widowers, Surviving Divorced Spouse

Bringing women policymakers together across party lines to advance

issues of importance to women and their families.

Weekly Legislative Update

September 11, 2023

Bills Introduced: September 5-8, 2023

Human Trafficking  

S. 2744—Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV)/Commerce, Science, and Transportation (09/07/23)—A bill to provide grants to transit operators and airports for human trafficking awareness, education, and prevention efforts, and for other purposes.

Social Security/Retirement 

S. 2741—Sen. Robert P. Casey (D-PA)/Finance (09/07/23) — A bill to increase survivors benefits for disabled widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses, and for other purposes. 

Veterans 

S. Res. 328—Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV)/Judiciary (09/05/23)—A resolution designating April 5, 2023, as “Gold Star Wives Day.”

This Week: September 11-15, 2023

Floor Action: 

The House and Senate are in session. 

Appropriations- On Wednesday, the House is expected to begin consideration of H.R. 4365, the FY2024 Defense spending bill.  

This week, the Senate is scheduled to consider a “minibus” spending package that will include S. 2131, the FY2024 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies spending bill; S. 2127, the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies spending bill; and S. 2437, the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies spending bill.  

Hearings: 

Child Protection- On Wednesday, the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Federal Government Surveillance will hold a hearing, “Children are Not for Sale: Examining the Threat of Exploitation of Children in the U.S. and Abroad.” 

Human Trafficking- On Thursday, the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations will hold a hearing, “Children are not for Sale– Global Efforts to Address Child Trafficking.”