Floor Action:
Appropriations—On February 9, Congress passed H.R. 1892, the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, as amended. The Senate approved, 71-28, the bill, which funds the federal government through March 23; the House passed, 240-186, the measure. The president signed the bill into law on February 9, thus avoiding a partial government shutdown.
Employment—On February 6, the House passed, by voice vote, H.R. 4924, the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 Reform Act, and H. Res. 724, a resolution implementing mandatory anti-harassment and anti-discrimination policies for House offices. Both measures address sexual harassment in the congressional workplace.
Human Trafficking—On February 7, the Senate passed, by unanimous consent, S. Res. 385, a resolution supporting the observation of January as “National Trafficking and Modern Slavery Prevention Month.”
Miscellaneous—On February 7, the Senate passed, by unanimous consent, S. Res. 398, a resolution supporting the observation of February 7, 2018 as “National Girls & Women in Sports Day.”
Mark-Ups:
Human Trafficking—On February 7, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee passed, by voice vote, H.R. 1625, the Targeted Rewards for the Global Eradication of Human Trafficking Act.
International—On February 7, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee passed, by voice vote, S. 2286, the Nick Castle Peace Corps Reform Act. Among other provisions, the bill would address sexual assault of Peace Corps volunteers while abroad.
Miscellaneous—On February 6, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee passed, by unanimous consent, H.R. 4188, a bill to designate the Amelia Earhart Post Office Building, and H.R. 4463, a bill to designate the Mabel Lee Memorial Post Office.
Hearings:
Health—On February 8, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee held a hearing, “The Opioid Crisis: Impact on Children and Families.”
