News Archive
The Senate must act to pass legislation that includes the critical needs of people with disabilities, their families, and the direct support professional workforce in a new Coronavirus package. In May, the House passed its fourth coronavirus package, the Health … Continue reading →
The post Senate Action Needed on Developing a Fourth Coronavirus Package appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On July 1, the House passed H.R.2, the Moving Forward Act, addressing transit, highways, motor carrier, research, rail, and other programs. The bill includes some priority asks from the disability community, including best practices for quality paratransit, such as one-stop … Continue reading →
The post House Passes Infrastructure Bill appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
Last week, the House passed the Emergency Housing Protections and Relief Act of 2020 (H.R.7301). This bill includes the housing and homelessness resources approved by the House in the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act, including $100 … Continue reading →
The post Emergency Housing Protection Bill Passed in House appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On June 30, the Supreme Court issued a ruling in Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue. Montana’s tax credit scholarship program allows a dollar-for-dollar tax credit for donations to an organization that provides private school scholarships. The state’s supreme court … Continue reading →
The post Supreme Court Rules School Voucher Programs Must Include Religious Schools appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On June 30, Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Chuck Schumer (D-NY) introduced the Coronavirus Child Care and Education Relief Act (S.4112). This bill provides $430 billion in funding for childcare and education, including an additional $12 billion in Individuals with … Continue reading →
The post Coronavirus Child Care and Education Relief Act Introduced in the Senate appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On June 29, Senators Chris Murphy (D-CT), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Maggie Hassan (D-NH), introduced the Helping Children with Disabilities Act (S.4100). This bill would provide increased funding for IDEA in line with the amounts in the more comprehensive … Continue reading →
The post Coronavirus IDEA Funding Bill Introduced in the Senate appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On June 30, the Senate Finance Committee held a hearing titled “2020 Filing Season and IRS COVID-19 Recovery.” The sole witness was Charles P. Rettig, Commissioner, Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Commissioner Rettig stated at the hearing that the IRS would … Continue reading →
The post Senate Finance Committee Holds Hearing on 2020 Filing Season and IRS COVID-19 Recovery appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
Last week, the Department of Education published state plans for Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) and Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funding under the CARES Act. ESSER funds are awarded to states based on Title I allocations and … Continue reading →
The post Education Department Releases State Plans for CARES Act Funding appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On June 24, Representative Maxine Waters (D-CA) introduced the Emergency Housing Protections and Relief Act of 2020 (H.R.7301). This bill includes the housing and homelessness resources approved by the House in the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) … Continue reading →
The post Housing: Emergency Housing Protection Bill Introduced in House appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
Last week, the Department of Education released three questions and answers (Q&A documents) related to the use of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) funding in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The first two documents relate to permissible uses of … Continue reading →
The post Education: Education Department Release Q&A Documents of Use of IDEA Funds appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
Common Sense Media published a report on the digital divide showing that approximately one-third of public school students lack either an adequate internet connection or device for learning at home. Additionally, 10% of public school teachers lack an adequate internet … Continue reading →
The post Technology/Education: Report on Digital Divide Published appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
The state of Oklahoma is seeking approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to enact a per capita cap in Medicaid under guidance the Administration released earlier this year. The Arc opposes this proposal, which creates a … Continue reading →
The post The Arc Fights Oklahoma Medicaid Block Grant Proposal appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On June 15, the House Committee on Education and Labor held a hearing titled “Budget Cuts and Lost Learning: Assessing the Impact of COVID-19 on Public Education.” Witnesses were Michael Leachman, Ph.D., Vice President for State Fiscal Policy, Center on … Continue reading →
The post House Committee Holds Hearing on Education Budget Cuts appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On June 18, the House Committee on Ways and Means, Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures held a hearing titled “Tax Relief to Support Workers and Families During the COVID-19 Recession.” Witnesses were Amy Matsui, Senior Counsel, The National Women’s Law … Continue reading →
The post House Committee Holds Hearing on Tax Relief to Support Workers and Families During the COVID-19 Recession appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On June 18, the Senate Committee on Finance Bipartisan Working Group on Paid Family Leave held a roundtable titled “Paid Leave Proposals in the COVID Era.” The working group is co-chaired by Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH). … Continue reading →
The post Senate Committee Holds Paid Leave Roundtable appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
June 22 Marks 21st Anniversary of Olmstead Decision Today (June 22) marks the anniversary of the Olmstead v. L.C. decision in the Supreme Court, where two women with disabilities, Lois Curtis and Elaine Wilson, lead the charge to make the … Continue reading →
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On June 10, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions held a hearing titled, “COVID-19: Going Back to School Safely.” Witnesses were Dr. Penny Schwinn, Commissioner of Education, Tennessee Department of Education; Dr. Matthew Blomstedt, Commissioner of Education, … Continue reading →
The post Education: Senate Committee Holds Hearing on COVID-19: Going Back to School Safely appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
Our Nation continues to reckon with the impact of racism and police violence in the wake of the killing of George Floyd, the shooting death of Rayshard Brooks in Atlanta over the weekend, and countless other lives lost. Speaking out … Continue reading →
The post Nation Continues to Respond to Police Brutality and Racism appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On June 10, the House Committee on Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing, Community Development, and Insurance held a hearing titled, “The Rent Is Still Due: America’s Renters, COVID-19, and an Unprecedented Eviction Crisis.” Witnesses were Cashauna Hill, Executive Director, Louisiana … Continue reading →
The post Housing: House Committee Holds Hearing on COVID-19 and Evictions appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On June 3, the House Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties held a hearing titled, “Protecting the Right to Vote During the COVID-19 Pandemic.” Witnesses were Stacey Abrams, Chair, Fair Fight Action; J. Christian Adams, … Continue reading →
The post Rights: House Committee Holds Hearing on Protecting the Right to Vote During the COVID-19 Pandemic appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On June 10, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions held a hearing titled, “COVID-19: Going Back to School Safely.” Witnesses were Dr. Penny Schwinn, Commissioner of Education, Tennessee Department of Education; Dr. Matthew Blomstedt, Commissioner of Education, … Continue reading →
The post Education: Senate Committee Holds Hearing on COVID-19: Going Back to School Safely appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On June 2, in the wake of the killing of George Floyd, The Arc released a statement condemning the ongoing violence and police brutality against black people in our country. In the statement, The Arc’s CEO Peter Berns stated, “The … Continue reading →
The post The Arc Condemns Racism and Violence Against Black Communities appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On June 3, Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced the Protecting Family Caregivers from Discrimination Act (S.3878). This bill would prohibit employers from discriminating against employees for being family caregivers. Additionally, the bill establishes a grant program to help prevent such … Continue reading →
The post Family Support: Senate Introduces Bill Protecting Family Caregivers From Discrimination appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On June 3, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a hearing titled “The State of Transportation and Critical Infrastructure: Examining the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic”. Witnesses were John Bozzella, President and Chief Executive Officer, Alliance for … Continue reading →
The post Transportation: Senate Committee Holds Hearing on Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Transportation and Critical Infrastructure appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On June 3, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chair Peter DeFazio (D-OR) released text of the Investing in a New Vision for the Environment and Surface Transportation in America (INVEST in America) Act. This bill reauthorizes the surface transportation programs, … Continue reading →
The post Transportation: House Transportation Committee Leaders Release Surface Transportation Bill appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On June 10, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions will hold a hearing on titled “COVID-19: Going Back to School Safely.” Witnesses will be Dr. Penny Schwinn, Commissioner of Education, Tennessee Department of Education; Dr. Matthew Blomstedt, … Continue reading →
The post Education: Senate Committee to Hold Hearing on COVID-19: Going Back to School Safely appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On June 9, the Senate Committee on Finance will hold a hearing titled Unemployment “Insurance During COVID-19: The CARES Act and the Role of Unemployment Insurance During the Pandemic.” Witnesses will be Labor Secretary Eugene Scalia; Michele Evermore, Senior Policy … Continue reading →
The post Income Support: Senate to Hold Hearing on Unemployment Insurance During COVID-19 appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On May 18, the House Committee on Education and Labor held a virtual briefing on the impact of COVID-19 on seniors and individuals with disabilities. In its press release, the Committee notes that many long term care facilities are experiences … Continue reading →
The post House Committee Holds Briefing on Impact of COVID-19 on Seniors and Individuals With Disabilities appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On May 15, the House passed its fourth coronavirus package, the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act (H.R.6800) with a vote of 208-199. This package includes: Increased federal funding for home and community based services (HCBS) under … Continue reading →
The post House Passes Fourth Coronavirus Package appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
Congressional leaders continue work on another COVID-19 package that could be voted on this month. House Democrats are expected to release a package soon that will provide funding for state and local governments to address revenue shortfalls. It is also … Continue reading →
The post Fourth Coronavirus Package Under Development appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On May 8, Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Representatives Maxine Waters (D-CA) and Denny Heck (D-WA) announced the Emergency Rental Assistance and Rental Market Stabilization Act of 2020. The bill provides $100 billion in emergency rental assistance to help keep … Continue reading →
The post Housing: Emergency Rental Assistance Bill Announced appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On May 6, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced that deceased individuals are not eligible for economic impact payments authorized in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The IRS states: “A Payment made to someone who died … Continue reading →
The post IRS Announces Economic Impact Payments Deceased Individuals Should Be Returned appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On April 24, President Trump signed the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act. The bill includes $310 billion for the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program, $50 billion for disaster loans, $75 billion for hospitals, and $25 billion … Continue reading →
The post Interim Coronavirus Bill Enacted; Other Package Under Development appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On May 1, Representative Dan Kildee (D-MI) introduced the Strengthening UI for Coronavirus Impacted Workers and Students Act (H.R.6680). This bill would make several improvements to unemployment insurance (UI) benefits, including exempting them from income for all means-tested programs. This … Continue reading →
The post Income Support: Bill to Improve Unemployment Insurance Benefits Introduced appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On April 27, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos submitted a report to Congress required by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act with recommendations on waivers for various education laws. Secretary DeVos did not recommend waivers of core provisions … Continue reading →
The post Education: Education Secretary Declines to Recommend Waivers of Core IDEA Provisions appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) set a deadline of May 5 for SSI recipients who do not file taxes to register their dependent children to receive $500 payments authorized in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. SSI … Continue reading →
The post Income Support: IRS Sets May 5 Deadline for Stimulus Payments for Dependents of SSI Recipients appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On April 21, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report showing major issues with the quality of data from school districts regarding restraint and seclusion. For example, 70% of school districts reported zero incidents of restraint and seclusion, but … Continue reading →
The post Education: GAO Report Shows Data Quality Issues in Restraint and Seclusion Data appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
The House and Senate could vote this week on a new coronavirus aid package that is being negotiated by the White House and Congressional negotiators. Initial reports of the deal include $300 billion for the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection … Continue reading →
The post Interim Coronavirus Bill Could Advance This Week; Other Package Under Development appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On April 15, the Treasury Department announced that people who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) will automatically receive stimulus payments authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The Treasury Department’s initial plan was to require individuals … Continue reading →
The post Treasury Department Announces Automatic Stimulus Payments for SSI Recipients appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
Last week, the Department of Education released the application for the $3 billion available from the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund. See funds available to each state here. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) Act, enacted … Continue reading →
The post Education Funding Available for Governors to Address COVID-19 appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
This week, Congressional leaders continue to consider a possible fourth coronavirus response package and what should be included in it. The Arc’s priorities include: Grants to support access to home and community-based services (to minimize the risk of people with … Continue reading →
The post Congress Weighs Fourth Coronavirus Bill appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On April 3, The Arc along with many disability organizations released a guide for states and hospitals on applying the recent Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) bulletin on avoiding discrimination in treatment rationing. The document emphasizes that federal … Continue reading →
The post The Arc and Partners Release Guidance on Avoiding Discrimination in Medical Treatment Rationing appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
The Treasury Department posted the final application and the Small Business Administration posted the interim final rule for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) at the end of last week. Despite the official roll out of the program, some banks are … Continue reading →
The post Emergency Small Business Loans/Grants Rolled Out With Some Glitches appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
The Arc released an updated fact sheet on the stimulus payments authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, detailing changes announced by the Treasury Department and the Social Security Administration that payments will be made automatically to … Continue reading →
The post The Arc Releases Updated Fact Sheet on Stimulus Payment for Individuals appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
Last week, both houses of Congress approved and President Trump signed a $2.2 trillion bill to address the economic and other impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak. The final bill addresses some priorities of the disability community by allowing non-profit organizations … Continue reading →
The post Congress Approves COVID-19 Stimulus Package appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On March 28, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) issued a guidance bulletin stating that health care providers are prohibited from discriminating against people with disabilities based on stereotypes, assessments of quality of … Continue reading →
The post HHS OCR Issues Guidance Against Discrimination in COVID-19 Treatment appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
The House passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R.6201). The bill is now being considered in the Senate. The bill includes a 6.2% federal medical assistance percentage increase to support Medicaid funding to the states. There are some provisions that … Continue reading →
The post House Approves Coronavirus Relief Bill appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On March 11, the House passed the Supporting Older Americans Act of 2020 (H.R.4334) with Senate amendments. This bill reauthorizes the Older Americans Act, including the National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP). The NFCSP provides information to caregivers about available … Continue reading →
The post Family Support: House Approves Reauthorization of Older Americans Act With Senate Amendments appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On March 11, the House Committee on Education and Labor’s Subcommittee on Workforce Protections held a hearing on the Healthy Families Act (H.R.1784). This bill provides for paid and unpaid sick leave for employees to meet their own medical needs … Continue reading →
The post Family Support/Employment: House Committee Holds Hearing on Paid Sick Leave Legislation appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On January 14, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued a proposed rule that erodes the protections of the Fair Housing Act. The proposed rule is a big step back from efforts to fight housing discrimination and segregation … Continue reading →
The post Housing: Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Comments Due Today appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
