CHN just released our latest edition of the Human Needs Report, our regular newsletter on national policy issues affecting low-income and vulnerable populations. This edition includes articles on the stopgap spending measure, aid that will finally flow to Flint, other actions the 114th Congress took – and didn’t – before wrapping up, and updates on President-elect Trump’s Cabinet picks. See below for the full analysis and links to each piece in the report.
Click here for the full PDF of the Human Needs Report.

Shutdown Averted with another Stopgap Spending Measure
With no time to waste, Congress avoided a shutdown by passing another stopgap spending bill. The new short-term spending bill, known as a Continuing Resolution or CR, will fund most annually-appropriated programs through April 28, 2017. Some of the adjustments to funding levels included in the bill were celebrated by advocates, while others were not. READ MORE »

Finally – Aid to Flow to Flint
Advocates celebrated the fact that much-needed and long-overdue funding to help the people of Flint, Michigan and other communities hurt by lead-contaminated water was approved by Congress before it left Washington. In a two-bill deal, $170 million was included in the Continuing Resolution. However, language included in the CR required that the money be authorized in the Water Resources Development Act before it would allowed to flow to Flint. READ MORE »

Other Actions Congress Took – or Didn’t – Before Heading Home: Criminal Justice, Child Nutrition, Opioids and More
With Congress wrapping up their work and leaving Capitol Hill – for the last time, for many retiring members of Congress and those who lost re-election bids, many issues of importance to human needs advocates were unfortunately left unfinished. Some may be taken up by the next Congress, while others may not see movement for the foreseeable future. READ MORE »

President-elect Trump’s Cabinet Picks Continue to Alarm Advocates
Human needs advocates have opposed several nominees to President-elect Trump’s cabinet, including his picks to head the Departments of Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, and Education. Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Labor, CKE Restaurants CEO Andrew Puzder, is also causing concern among advocates. READ MORE »

The 115th Congress convenes on January 3. Look for the next Human Needs Report on January 17. For the latest news, analysis and updates, subscribe to the blog, and sign up to receive CHN emails. Thanks for reading, and from all of us at CHN, best wishes for a safe and happy holiday season.