Policy Corner: February 15, 2019
Categories: Policy Corner Archives
President Signs Omnibus Spending Bill
Facing a Feb. 15 deadline, Congress sent an Omnibus spending bill to President for his signature that will keep government open and provide partial funding for border security. The President today signed the bill, but has declared an emergency and take federal money already appropriated for other programs to build his wall. The bill did not extend the Violence Against Women Act nor the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families funding, which expires June 30, 2019. Funding for the Violence Against Women Act programs is contained in the Department of Justice sections of the Omnibus. Democrats had hoped to expand the program, including prohibiting persons convicted of dating violence and stalking and those under protective orders from possessing firearms. The Democrats plan to push measures to extend and reauthorize the programs in separate legislation.
Senate Confirms Attorney General
Yesterday, the Senate confirmed William Barr as the new U.S. Attorney General. He was later sworn in to office Thursday. He previously served as attorney general under President George H. Bush from 1991-1993. Since then, he has been a top attorney for Verizon Communications, Inc. Barr succeeds Matt Whitaker who has been acting attorney general after Attorney General Jeff Sessions resigned in November.
Congress Recesses; Returns to Home Districts Next Week
The Senate and House are adjourning and will return to work on Monday February 26th. As always, this is a good time to meet with your Representative and Senators while they are back in their districts. Please feel free to use materials on the Brain Injury Association of America’s (BIAA) website to educate and inform your Members.
BIAA gratefully acknowledges the Centre for Neuro Skills and Avanir Pharmaceuticals for their support for legislative action.
