- - - THIS WEEK: FEBRUARY 9, 2018 - - -

Hill Headlines

Government Shuts Down Again: The government went into shutdown at midnight for the second time this year after a bipartisan budget deal, which includes increased spending for defense, disaster aid, and healthcare programs, was prevented from a vote by Sen. Paul (R-KY) over concerns about high government spending levels. The Senate then approved the bill less than two hours later, with the House following around 5:30 am this morning. Votes in both chambers to approve the budget and end the shutdown relied on bipartisan support.

Legislative Updates

BUILDS Act: Rep. Mitchell (R-MI-10), Rep. Ryan (D-OH-13), and Rep. Smucker (R-PA-16) introduced H.R. 4942, which provides funding and other resources to increase worker training for infrastructure-related jobs.

Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act: Rep. Schneider (D-IL-10) filed H.R. 4918, which would increase resources for the FBI, DHS, and other federal agencies to report and combat domestic terrorism, particularly by white supremacist groups.

McCain-Coons Immigration Plan: Sen. Coons (D-DE) and Sen. McCain (R-AZ) introduced S. 2367, which would create a pathway to citizenship for most Dreamers and increase border security spending without funding for a U.S.-Mexico border wall.

Uniting Families Act: Rep. Chu (D-CA-27) filed H.R. 4944, which contains many reforms to help clear the family immigration visa application backlog of over 4 million people.

STRIVE Act: Sen. Booker (D-NJ) and Rep. Norcross (D-NJ-9) filed S. 2370 / H.R. 4914, which would increase financial aid for teacher training programs and increase the tax deduction for teachers’ classroom expenses.

Upcoming Events

Our Congressional advocacy training with the NYU Muslim Students Association is today! The training is free to attend with an RSVP.

Further Reading

Pelosi Held House Floor in Advocacy of ‘Dreamers’ for More Than 8 Hours | New York Times | February 7, 2018

Comstock’s hate crime bill languishes in Congress | Loudoun Times-Mirror | February 1, 2018

What It Takes to Make Congress Actually Listen | WIRED | February 1, 2018

Congress passes bill to protect amateur athletes from sex abuse | ThinkProgress | January 30, 2018

Hill Buzz

On the Bipartisan Senate Budget Deal:

“This is our best chance to begin rebuilding our military and make progress on issues directly affecting the American people.” - Sen. McConnell (R-KY)

“The budget deal doesn’t have everything Democrats want; it doesn’t have everything the Republicans want, but it has what the American people need.” - Sen. Schumer (D-NY)

On Opposition to the Senate Budget Deal:

“We have Republicans hand-in-hand with Democrats offering us trillion-dollar deficits...I want people to feel uncomfortable." - Sen. Paul (R-KY)

“Anyone who votes for the Senate budget deal is colluding with this president and this administration to deport Dreamers." - Rep. Gutiérrez (D-IL-4)

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