Policy Corner: June 6, 2023
Categories: Policy Corner Archives
Senate Sends Bill to Raise Debt Ceiling to President
To avoid a first-ever default on the nation’s debt, the U.S. Senate approved raising the debt ceiling on a 63-to-36 vote last Thursday night, which has now been signed by the President. The U.S. House of Representatives passed the measure earlier last week. As June 5 had been predicted as to when the government would have insufficient funds to pay its bills, the Senate passed the bill without any amendments to avoid being sent back to the House. The agreement suspends the $31.4 trillion debt limit until January 2025 to allow government to borrow unlimited sums to pay its debts. It also sets new spending levels before Congress begins writing the twelve annual spending bills funding federal agencies.
The bill caps non-defense spending for fiscal year 2024, then increased funding by 1 percent in 2025. Non-defense spending refers to annual appropriations that funds non-entitlement programs such as brain injury research; injury prevention; public education; transportation; and disability and health related programs. After fiscal 2025, there are no budget caps, just non-enforceable appropriations targets. The bill leaves Medicaid intact, but does expand work requirements for beneficiaries of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP (food stamps). The bill raises the ages of participants who need to provide proof of work for SNAP from 18-49 to 18-54. SNAP requires able-bodied adults who do not have dependents to work or participate in approved job training programs for at least 80 hours a month to get more than three months of benefits over three years.
Senators Request GAO to Investigate Guardianship Laws
Last week, U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging Chairman Bob Casey (D-Pa.) and Ranking Member Mike Braun (R-Ind.) sent a letter to the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) requesting a report on guardianship laws across the Nation. Senators Casey and Braun requested GAO examine and report on the use of guardianships, and efforts to reform the guardianship system. Most people with guardians are seniors and people with disabilities whose guardians are responsible for approving medical decisions; financial decisions; and where people live. States enact their own laws that vary across the country.
Lawmaker Introduces Legislation to Expand Adult Day Program
Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) has reintroduced legislation to expand and enhance existing adult day programs for younger people with neurological diseases or conditions (such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, traumatic brain injury, or other similar diseases or conditions) to support and improve access to respite services for family caregivers who are taking care of such people, and for other purposes. Text is not yet available for H.R.3706.
Ask Your Congressional Members to be Member of CBITF!
As January began a new Congress, members need to be encouraged to join the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force (CBITF), co-chaired by Reps. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-N.J.) and Don Bacon (R-Neb.), which conducts valuable work in promoting issues and the needs of individuals with brain injury and their families among Congressional members. The Task Force is bi-partisan and is comprised of both members of the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives. While we often think of March Awareness Day activities as their primary function, their efforts far exceed that by circulating “dear colleague” letters to gather support for funding prevention; research; military and veteran’s care; and state grants for improving service delivery. The Task Force holds briefings throughout the year, often in collaboration with another caucus, to promote education and awareness about issues relating to brain injury, such as promising research, fall-related brain injuries, and women’s issues relating to brain injury. Members also sponsor and co-sponsor critical legislation.
How can you help with recruitment? You can contact your Representative and Senators via their websites(or phone) and submit a request that they join and why it is important to you. Members who would be interested in joining may contact Rep. Pascrell’s office.