This week, the House continues its summer recess, which is expected to last until after Labor Day. The Senate returned for an abbreviated session last week to make progress on various judicial nominations and appropriations bills. The decision to cancel the Senate's recess was controversial, drawing even more questions last week when approximately ten Republican senators failed to return to Washington for scheduled votes.
This week, the Senate is aiming to move the next appropriations package, which will include funding for the military (Department of Defense) and domestic programs (Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education). The Labor-HHS bill includes funding for Title V Maternal and Child Health programs, the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other vital public health programs. As with other Senate appropriations bills this session, this spending package is expected to move through with bipartisan support and minimal amendments.
Meanwhile, members of the House remain in their districts and are likely holding constituent events throughout the week. This is one of the best times to engage with your member of Congress! Contact the offices for your representative to learn about district visits and events in your area. It is important for members of Congress to understand all that WIC does to improve the quality of life for their constituents because that knowledge will inform their willingness to support, fund, and promote the program in the future.
Note: Attending a constituent event and sharing the broad, positive impacts of WIC in a local community is not lobbying. Lobbying requires that you ask a legislator to take a specific position on a piece of legislation. Remember the simple rule: Bragging beats begging.