Policy Corner: December 15, 2023
Categories: Policy Corner Archives
Congress Passes the National Defense Authorization Act
On Thursday, the House of Representatives passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) conference report and sent it to President Joe Biden for his signature. The Senate had passed the authorization bill on Wednesday. Included in the bill is a provision that authorizes the Department of Defense to fund – and Armed Services members to participate in – clinical trials using psychedelic substances and cannabis to treat post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injuries (TBI). The bill also authorizes a pay raise for all military personnel, new family housing, child care centers; and funding for the policy agenda for the Department of Defense and U.S. military. The bill does not appropriate the funding itself. The House then adjourned for Christmas recess and will not return until January. The Senate has delayed its holiday break to work next week on supplemental funding for Ukraine, Israel, and the border.
The House has yet to set top line spending agreement for federal programs for fiscal year 2024, which means appropriation committees do not have their allocations to divvy up spending among federal agencies and the programs within those agencies. The House and the Senate do not agree with how much should be appropriated, leaving little time for the legislative bodies to pass appropriation bills before the two continuing resolutions (CR) that currently fund federal agencies expire on Jan. 19 and Feb. 2.
Mark Your Calendar for March Brain Injury Awareness Month Activities
Mark your calendar for two events being planned to promote March Brain Injury Awareness Month. On Feb. 29, 2024, the Administration for Community Living (ACL) will host a virtual Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Partners Day from 12:00 noon – 4:00 p.m. (ET). ACL will invite stakeholders, partners and interested parties to discuss TBI services, supports, and systems with sessions dedicated to criminal justice, behavioral health, and aging with a TBI. Watch for further information as plans and details are unveiled.
Each year, the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force (CBITF), co-chaired by Reps. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-N.J.) and Don Bacon (R-Neb.), schedule Brain Injury Awareness Day activities on Capitol Hill to educate Members and staff regarding the needs of individuals living with brain injury and their families. BIAA, the National Association of State Head Injury Administrators (NASHIA), United States Brain Injury Association (USBIA), and other stakeholders will assist with awareness activities and with scheduling advocacy meetings with Members of the House and Senate on March 5-6, 2024. This is the one time of the year that individuals interested in brain injury issues marshal their efforts to advocate for TBI funding for veterans, servicemembers and citizens through the various federal programs. A registration form is available on BIAA’s website should you wish to sign up now indicating your interest in receiving updates about these March brain injury awareness events and plans. Sign up for updates on the event here.