Floor Action:
Appropriations—On March 23, Congress passed H.R. 1625, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018, clearing the measure for the president’s signature and avoiding a shutdown of the federal government. The current continuing resolution (P.L. 115-124) expired on March 23.
The $1.3 trillion spending bill includes, among other provisions, the provisions of the Targeted Awards for the Global Eradication of Human Trafficking (TARGET) Act, and H.R. 5252, the Keep Young Athletes Safe Act.
Human Trafficking— On March 21, the Senate passed, 97-2, H.R. 1865, the Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act. The vote clears the bill for the president’s signature.
Miscellaneous— On March 19, the House passed H. Res. 788, a resolution expressing the profound sorrow of the House of Representatives on the death of the Honorable Louise McIntosh Slaughter (D-NY).
On March 20, the House passed S. 2040, to designate a facility of the United States Postal Service as the “Amelia Earhart Post Office Building,” and H.R. 4463, to designate a facility of the United States Postal Service as the “Mabel Lee Memorial Post Office.”
On March 22, the Senate passed, by unanimous consent, S. Res. 448, a resolution designating March as “National Women’s History Month.”
Mark-Ups:
International— On March 20, the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations approved several bills by voice vote, including S. Res. 426, a resolution supporting the goals of International Women’s Day, as amended, and H.R. 1660, the Global Health Innovations Act.
Hearings:
Violence Against Women— On March 20, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing, “The Need to Reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act.”
