Federal News Senate Democrats block Republican Covid relief proposal [Politico, 9/10/2020] “Senate Democrats blocked a scaled-down, $500 billion Republican coronavirus relief measure Thursday, weakening the chances that Congress will approve another package before the November election.” (S.178) Pushing for Action on LSFA [American Libraries, 9/14/2020] “[The Library Stabilization Fund Act] (S. 4181/H.R. 7486) would establish…
Category: Legislation
For news about legislative activity relevant to librarianship. Not for news about or from the HSLI Legislative Committee.
Legislative News, 09/03/2020
Federal news S.2163 Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys Act [became Public Law 116-156 on 8/14/2020] Establishes the Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys within the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Office of the Staff Director to conduct a systematic study of the conditions affecting Black men…
Legislative News, 08/19/2020
Federal news S.4091 Emergency Aid for Returning Americans Affected by Coronavirus Act [became Public Law 116-148 on 7/13/2020] Provides, “temporary assistance for U.S. citizens and their dependents who are returning from foreign countries due to a crisis and are without available resources,” including for medical care. The Latest on Broadband Bills [American Libraries, 7/15/2020] Bills…
Legislative Action Item: The Library Stabilization Fund Act
From the ALA Public Policy & Advocacy Office: Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) and Representative Andy Levin (D-MI) are sponsoring legislation calling for $2 billion in economic recovery funding for America’s libraries through the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The Library Stabilization Fund Act would allow libraries across the country to retain staff, maintain…
Legislative News, 07/08/2020
Federal news Preparing for the Next Pandemic (comments submitted) [MLAConnect, 6/23/20] Black Caucus lays out legislative priorities for combating systemic racism [Roll Call, 7/1/20] SB4181/HB7486 The Library Stabilization Fund Act (informational flier) SEND A MESSAGE TO YOUR CONGRESSPERSON [ALA Public Policy & Advocacy Office, 7/2/20] Operation Warp Speed’s opaque choices of COVID-19 vaccines draw Senate…
Legislative News, 06/23/2020
Federal news Bills to watch · H.R.990 Recognizing racism as a national crisis and the need for a truth and reconciliation process. This resolution recognizes racism as a national public health crisis and supports the creation of a truth and reconciliation process to address historic, enduring systemic and structural racism against black people. [Introduced 6/4/20]…
Legislative News, 06/04/2020
Federal news MLA and AAHSL recommend FY21 NLM Funding of at least $479.7 million [MLA Connect, 5/29/20] Trump administration requiring labs to report racial, ethnic information from COVID-19 test results [The Hill, 6/4/20] Top health lawmakers push HHS on COVID-19 Medicaid payments [Roll Call, 6/3/20] HEROES Act Stalls in Senate [American Libraries, 5/22/20] Will Trump…
Legislative News, 05/18/2020
Federal news House narrowly passes $3 trillion coronavirus aid bill [Roll Call, 5/15/2020] “Democrats’ bill would [provide, among other relief,] $100 billion for a public health fund for hospitals and other health care providers…. The Senate won’t take up the legislation in its current form, though key senators will begin discussions with Democratic leaders and…
Registration Open for ILA’s Noon Network Webinar on Illinois Legislation (12:00-1:30 PM on Tuesday, May 19) — Deadline 10:00 AM on May 19
(via Gwen Gregory, University of Illinois at Chicago, on behalf of the Illinois Library Association) Join ILA’s Legislative Consultant, Derek Blaida, for a lunchtime update about what’s happening in Springfield, from 12:00 to 1:30 PM on Tuesday, May 19. The Illinois General Assembly is slated to return to legislative session on Wednesday, May 20, and…
Legislative News, 04/29/2020
Federal news H.R.266 Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act [became Public Law No. 116-139] “This bill responds to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) outbreak by providing additional funding for small business loans, health care providers, and COVID-19 testing.” State news Hospitals, health care workers given civil immunity [Chicago Daily Law Bulletin…