CHN just released another edition of the Human Needs Report. Read on for the latest on Congress’s spending work, disaster aid on the horizon, a victory for LGBTQ Americans, attacks on immigrants, the poor, and workers, and more.

CHN is urging members of the U.S. Senate to take immediate steps to pass a disaster relief bill. CHN is calling on senators to pass a bill before Memorial Day recess that includes nutrition assistance funds for Puerto Rico and other territories in need; Medicaid funds for the U.S. territories of Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and American Samoa; disaster funds for states, territories, and tribes; and humanitarian aid to assist unaccompanied minor children.

In a great step forward for social justice, the U.S. House on Friday approved the Equality Act, which would strengthen federal civil rights laws for LGBTQ Americans. The vote was 236-173, with eight Republicans joining all Democrats in supporting the measure.

The Trump Administration has put forth a proposal to change the way poverty is adjusted for inflation. Over time, this adjustment would reduce funding for essential human needs programs by billions of dollars. Millions of Americans would be affected, including children, seniors, people with disabilities, and others who are poor or near poor. On Wednesday, May 22, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) and the Coalition on Human Needs will host a webinar entitled, “The Latest Plan to Deny Assistance: Shrinking the Poverty Line.”