March 21
This week in MORE POWER:
Covering Chronic Disease
Supporting Women Who Serve
Legislating Choice
Fighting Breast Cancer
For the Girl Bosses
President Trump signed the budget bill on Saturday and then Congress was in recess this week, so we’re doing a special edition today in honor of Women's History Month. We're spotlighting key legislation that could have a big impact on women living in the U.S. if congress makes a move.
Covering Chronic Disease
Women are more likely to suffer from chronic conditions. Approximately 80 percent of people with autoimmune diseases are women. The CDC reports that about one in four women suffer from arthritis and one in three women dies from heart disease. The American Diabetes Association reports that one in 10 women in the U.S. has diabetes. H.R. 919, The Chronic Disease Flexible Coverage Act, aims to make sure women who deal with these conditions get the flexible healthcare coverage they need. This bill passed the House in March and is currently with the Senate Finance Committee. If the committee greenlights the bill, it will go to the Senate for a full vote.
Supporting Women Who Serve
Women make up a growing portion of the U.S. Armed Forces and when it comes to veterans’ benefits and housing, women veterans often face more hurdles. In February, the house passed H.R. 224, The Disabled Veterans Housing Support Act, in an effort to ensure disabled veterans – many of whom are women – get the housing support they deserve. Currently, the bill awaits further action in the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. If the committee approves the bill, it will proceed to the full Senate for a vote.
Legislating Choice
S. 4454, The Reproductive Freedom for Women Act, would give women the power to make their own choices—whether it’s about birth control, abortion, or other reproductive health care. This bill is a direct response to the Supreme Court rolling back the Roe v. Wade decision. It would restore the legal protections for abortion at the federal level, ensuring no state can ban or restrict access.
Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) introduced the bill in June 2024, following the Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson. We have a new congress, so a member could reintroduce the bill for consideration.
Fighting Breast Cancer
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is one of the toughest cancers to battle, and women are its biggest victims, including young women. Women under 40 are especially at risk for TNBC. But research is key in finding a cure and H.R. 235, The Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Research and Education Act, is about giving more women the chance for early detection and better treatments. By focusing on early identification, the bill seeks to increase survival rates for women affected by this aggressive cancer.
The bill is with the House and public support and advocacy can play a key role in advancing the bill toward becoming law.
For the Girl Bosses
H.R. 818, the Small Business Procurement and Utilization Reform (SPUR) Act, aims to improve opportunities for businesses owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans located in Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZones) run by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, or owned by women. This could give women-owned small businesses the opportunity to secure government contracts.The House passed the bill in February, 384 to 25, and sent it to the Senate where it is currently with the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. If the committee passes the bill, it will have to come to the full Senate for a vote.
Bills Congress Passed
Nothing, they’re in recess.
Nothing, they’re in recess.
Nothing.
Legislation POTUS Signed
H.R.1968 Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025
