- - - THIS WEEK: JANUARY 26, 2018 - - -

Hill Headlines

Brief Government Shutdown: After the Senate failed to pass a temporary funding measure on January 19th, the federal government went into partial shutdown for approximately 70 hours as members of Congress negotiated the passage of a new measure to fund the government through February 8th. The measure also renews funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program for six years. Republican leaders promised Democrats a future vote on a solution for DACA recipients in exchange for their votes to end the shutdown.

Legislative Updates

Protecting Independent Contractors: Rep. Norton (D-DC-At Large) announced legislation to extend federal discrimination protections to independent contractors, including gig economy workers. Independent contractors are not currently protected from discrimination by race, religion, and other protected classes.

Bail Fairness Act: Rep. Davis (D-IL-7) introduced H.R. 4833, which would eliminate states’ use of monetary bail requirements for people arrested for misdemeanors. Hundreds of thousands who are unable to afford bail stay in jail while waiting for their trials, without having yet been convicted or acquitted of a crime.

RAISE Family Caregivers Act Becomes Law: President Trump signed H.R. 3759, which directs the Health and Human Services Department to develop a national strategy to support family caregivers in partnership with non-profits and other stakeholders.

Presidential Appointment Confirmations: The Senate confirmed President Trump’s appointments of Alex Azar for Secretary of Health and Human Services, and Jerome Powell as Chairman of the Federal Reserve. Powell was approved with a large bipartisan majority, while Azar was confirmed with a narrower 55-43 vote largely along partisan lines.

Upcoming Events

A year after the Muslim and refugee bans, we continue to stand up to discrimination. Poligon is co-sponsoring a mobilization at the White House tomorrow afternoon. Come make posters tonight at Can’t Ban This: Poligon’s First Anniversary Bash.

Further Reading

Congress’ deal to end government shutdown added billions in tax cuts to deficit | PBS Newshour | January 25, 2018

Customs and Border Protection Violated Court Orders During the First Muslim Ban Implementation | ACLU | January 24, 2018

Meet the Common Sense Coalition - the bipartisan group of Senators who ended the government shutdown | Business Insider | January 23, 2018

Hill Buzz

On Ending the Shutdown:

“The same energy and spirit the bipartisan group put into forging a compromise this weekend ought to be committed to finding a bill on DACA that will pass [Congress]. - Sen. Schumer (D-NY)

“This regrettable shutdown reminded all of us that, in the United States Senate, brinksmanship and hostage-taking simply do not work.” - Sen. McConnell (R-KY)

On the Future of DACA Policy:

“I do not believe we should be granting a path to citizenship to anybody here illegally. Doing so is inconsistent with the promises we made to the men and women who elected us.” - Sen. Cruz (R-TX)

"You're going to see strong support on the Democratic side that you have to have some kind of path to citizenship.” - Sen. Klobuchar (D-MN)

Poligon Education Fund is working tirelessly to 1) monitor and hold accountable all Congressional action taken on issues that deeply impact the lives of everyday Muslim Americans and 2) educate Muslim Americans on effective advocacy and Congressional engagement. We can continue this important work with your generous support. Please take time to make a contribution.

Poligon Education Fund is a 501c3 non-profit charitable organization dedicated to amplifying Muslim American voices in Congress.