Policy Corner: February 5, 2021

Senate Moves on President Biden’s COVID-19 Relief Plan

The Senate adopted a budget resolution in order to expedite a COVID-19 relief package that will require only 50 votes without the threat of a filibuster. After voting all night on 40 amendments, the resolution passed 51-50 with Vice President Kamala Harris casting her first tie-breaking vote. Once the package goes back to the House of Representatives for a vote, several congressional committees will then begin to work on the various provisions of the bill. Democrats are hoping the final bill will be passed by March.

Although the reconciliation process is non-binding for the bill that is drafted, several amendments may be difficult to overcome in the final bill provisions. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), offered an amendment to oppose raising the minimum wage to $15 during the pandemic, which was adopted by a voice vote. Senas. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Joe Manchin (D-West Va.) offered an amendment that would prevent the $1,400 direct checks in President Biden’s proposal from going to “upper-income taxpayers.” The amendment passed 99-1.

Additionally, President Biden introduced his “American Rescue Plan” that provides a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package with provisions to address vaccine shortages, a national testing strategy with funding for rapid tests, and lab capacity expansion to assist states and health services in underserved communities. The plan includes funding to hire 100,000 new public health workers. Sen. Bob Casey, Jr. (D-Pa.) informed advocates that $9.7 billion for home- and community-based services would also be included in the Senate Budget Resolution instructions.

Senate Adopts Governing Rules

The Senate has agreed to the organizing resolution to govern the Senate. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) will finally take the office of Senate Majority Leader, and Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is the Minority Leader. After the resolution was adopted, Democrats were able to take over as committee chairs. This process has delayed the committees’ work about one month. You may now find the Senate Committee Chairs and Ranking Members on the website. 

Senate Confirms Cabinet Nominations

 The Senate confirmed President Biden’s nomination for transportation secretary, Pete Buttigieg, who previously was the mayor of South Bend, Indiana. A hearing was held for Miguel Cardona to serve as the secretary of education. He previously served as the Connecticut commissioner of education. Yet to be confirmed is California Attorney General Xavier Becerra (D) to serve as U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) secretary. President Biden has appointed Norris Cochran to serve as acting HHS secretary until a permanent secretary is confirmed.

BIAA Supports Funding for the National Concussion Surveillance System

The Brain Injury Association of American (BIAA) and many of its state affiliates have signed an organizational support letter urging House and Senate appropriators to fund $5 million for the National Concussion Surveillance System, which would be administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Injury Center. The 2018 Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Act Program Reauthorization authorized $5 million for the program, although it has yet to be funded.

President Issues Executive Orders Relating to Racial Equity and Underserved Communities

On his first day in office, President Biden revoked Executive Order 13950 and issued Executive Order 13985 to advance racial equity and support for underserved communities. The Executive Order directs the administration to pursue a comprehensive approach to advancing equity for all, including individuals with disabilities. Executive Order 13950, “Combating Race and Sex Stereotyping,” issued by former President Trump, prohibited federal contractors and subcontractors from providing thorough workplace diversity training and programs. President Biden also issued Executive Order 13995, Ensuring an Equitable Pandemic Response and Recovery, to address the disproportionate and severe impact of COVID-19 on communities of color and other underserved populations, including individuals with disabilities.

HHS Names New Leadership

Alison Barkoff was sworn into office Jan. 20 as the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Administration for Community Living (ACL) principal deputy administrator and as acting administrator and assistant secretary for aging. As such, she will provide direction, leadership, guidance, and coordination for ACL programs, including the TBI Act programs, and advise the HHS Secretary on issues affecting individuals with disabilities and older adults. She previously served as director of advocacy for the Center for Public Representation and was co-chair of the Long-Term Services and Supports Task Force of the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities.

Reyma McCoy McDeid, M.A., CESP, has assumed the position as the new commissioner of ACL’s Administration on Disabilities. She previously was the executive director of Central Iowa Center for Independent Living and also served as the employment director of the largest community-based organization provider in the State of Iowa, Candeo, before that.

Rochelle P. Walensky, M.D., MPH, took over as the 19th director of CDC Jan. 21 and is the ninth administrator of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. She previously served as chief of the division of infectious diseases at Massachusetts General Hospital from 2017-2020 and professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School from 2012-2020. She served on the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic and conducted research on vaccine delivery and strategies to reach underserved communities.

CBITF and ACL Plan March Brain Injury Awareness Events

The Congressional Brain Injury Task Force (CBITF) Brain Injury Awareness Day virtual briefing will take place Wednesday, March 3 from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. (ET). The briefing will be on the impact of COVID-19 on individuals with brain injury and their families. BIAA and the National Association of State Head Injury Administrators (NASHIA) are assisting with the briefing arrangements.

In lieu of its annual in-person stakeholder meeting, ACL is hosting virtual TBI Tuesdays every Tuesday in March at 4 p.m. (ET). ACL will highlight some of the work of the TBI State Partnership Program workgroups on issues such as underserved populations, criminal justice and juvenile justice, sustainable partnerships, advisory boards, and survivor engagement and return to learn/return to play. For more information, click here.

BIAA gratefully acknowledges the Centre for Neuro Skills and Avanir Pharmaceuticals for their support for legislative action. Click here to read past issues of Policy Corner.