January 26
This week in MORE POWER:
Pending House Tax Vote
Abortion Rights Executive Actions
Immigration and Security Bills on Life Support
Privacy Rights Negotiations
Discounted Internet Program Closing
Pending House Tax Vote
January 29 is the first day that Americans can file their 2023 income tax returns. The bipartisan Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act would change tax law to expand low-income families’ access to the Child Tax Credit and add more deductions for businesses, and it would apply retroactively to last year. But the bill is in jeopardy in both chambers.
Hard-right conservatives are against it because of “tax credits basically going to children of illegal aliens,” according to Rep. Chip Roy, (R-TX). House Republican leadership has signaled a vote on the bill next week. It will need support from two-thirds of members to pass. The Senate is watching the House proceedings, and it has slowed a vote on the bill. Have a view on this that you would like to share?
Abortion Rights Executive Actions
To mark the 51st anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision this week, the Biden administration announced new executive actions on abortion rights. The administration has set up a public awareness campaign on how existing laws require patient access to emergency medical care, including abortion. It is also coordinating efforts to strengthen access to contraception, the right to travel for medical care, and protections for patient data and rights. Have a view on this that you would like to share?
Immigration and Security Bills on Life Support
While Senators are still negotiating a bill on immigration and U.S.-Mexico border policies, this week Senate Republican leadership suggested that time may have run out on passing an immigration bill this year because former President Trump is against the legislation and hard-right House members never supported it. Progress on Biden’s security supplemental- the $106B security funding request for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, and the U.S-Mexico border- hinges on a finished immigration bill, so this view puts the supplemental in jeopardy as well.
Senators plan to move ahead with a deal, but how Trump’s position impacts their votes remains to be seen. Have a view on this that you would like to share?
Privacy Rights Negotiations
Last year, Congress extended the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) until April 19. FISA includes the controversial program known as Section 702 that the federal government has used for warrantless data collection on Americans. The Senate is now discussing if and how to modify the program. Have a view on this that you would like to share?
Discounted Internet Program Closing
The Affordable Connectivity Program provides $30 monthly internet services to enrolled low income families. Program funding is set to run out in April, so the government will stop accepting new applications for the program on February 7. If the program runs out of money, one in six households could lose broadband access. The Affordable Connectivity Program Act would renew the program, so that low income Americans can stay online.
What Congress Passed This Week
Nothing. The House was back in their districts this week.
Nothing.
What POTUS Signed Into Law This Week
Nothing, again.
