Congress Returns for a Hectic Few Weeks

Congress returned to DC following a two-week recess around the 4^th of July and there are few legislative days left before they break again for the August recess. Both chambers have long lists of priority legislation that they would like to advance before they depart.

The House goals include passing the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), reauthorizing the Federal Aviation Administration Act, and moving appropriations bills. The NDAA had over 1,500 amendments, many of which are considered controversial policy riders. Goodwill is supportive of a proposed amendment which would create a 1% Department of Defense contracting goal for the AbilityOne Program. The AbilityOne Program is a federal procurement program dedicated to employing individuals with disabilities. Nearly 400 community-based nonprofits across the country including many local Goodwill organizations participate in the Program. A 1% contracting goal could create over 16,000 employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

There are 12 separate appropriation bills under review. The draft FY24 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies funding bill was recently released by the Republicans and will be considered in the House Appropriations Subcommittee. According to Democrats, the proposal was the lowest for the bill since 2008.  Of concern to Goodwill includes the proposed elimination of the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), and the elimination of funds for youth and adult job training programs authorized under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). The Democrat controlled Senate is unlikely to accept these cuts and Goodwill will continue to advocate to retain these critical investments.

On the Senate side, Majority Leader Schumer outlined his agenda for July in a letter seeking to focus on the NDAA and appropriations.  The Senate is skipping subcommittee review and will be holding hearings in the full Appropriations Committee. Schumer also stated the desire to, “progress on bipartisan bills that lower the cost of insulin and prescription drugs, combat the fentanyl crisis, unlock permitting reform, advance online safety and innovation, promote community health, hold bank executives accountable, address rail safety, modernize federal aviation programs, institute common-sense farm policy, safeguard cannabis banking, compete with the Chinese government, and more,” in addition to intend to building on his SAFE Innovation Framework for Artificial Intelligence (AI). Lastly the Senate wants to continue to confirm President Biden’s nominees for a number of administrative and judicial posts.

We will continue to keep our advocates apprised of pertinent updates regarding these issues. Both leaders have ambitious goals and the closely divided Senate along with the division in power between the House and Senate will require lawmakers to find common ground.