by Katie Adams, our Domestic Policy Advocate in the DC Office

Anti-discrimination bills: The Senate will consider Sen. Hirono’s bill aimed at addressing the staggering increase in hate crimes toward Asian Americans with the “COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act.” The bill requires the Justice Department to designate an individual responsible for overseeing the expedited review of coronavirus-related hate crimes.

Budget: The Administration released their “skinny” budget with topline numbers for FY2022. The budget requests a roughly 16% increase in non-defense domestic spending for investments in housing, education, and human needs. It falls short in other areas, with money being apportioned for border enforcement and an $11 billion increase in defense spending. The more comprehensive budget will come out later in the summer.
DC Statehood: This week the House Oversight and Reform Committee will mark up and vote on the statehood bill, which means the full House could vote on statehood in the next two weeks.
Gun Violence: The President announced a series of executive orders and actions that will take limited steps to reduce access to guns in certain circumstances. This includes a measure to decrease the proliferation of “ghost guns” (guns you can build from a kit). At the same time, he also issued a call for the Senate to pass the pending gun violence prevention legislation already passed by the house including universal background checks and closing the “Charleston loophole” for gun sales.
Infrastructure Plan: Leadership in Congress and the White House are increasingly turning their focus to Biden’s “American Jobs Plan,” a sweeping proposal that includes roads and bridges but also includes broadband, the nation’s water supply and manufacturing. The bill also addresses climate issues. The question is, can they get any Republican support, or will this be another instance of using the budget reconciliation process again. Because of the tax implications there is a slim chance of bipartisan support.
Labor Bills: This week the House will consider the Paycheck Fairness Act, H.R. 7, and the Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act, H.R. 1195. These bills are aimed at reducing workplace violence (especially toward women) and gender-based pay gaps.
Yemen: There is growing pressure for Biden to intervene to stop the Saudi blockade of Yemen, that has resulted in millions in Yemen starving.