Senate Passes Labor-Health and Human Services Spending Bill, Moves to Nominations this Week
The Senate is still in session this week after failing to pass a package of nominees last week. Lynn A. Johnson’s nomination for Assistant Health and Human Services Secretary is one of the most controversial. If confirmed, she will be responsible for the reunification of hundreds of migrant children separated from their parents under Trump’s “zero-tolerance” policy. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has filed cloture to limit debate on 16 nominees. Nominations and tributes to Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) will be the main priorities on Capitol Hill this week. Sen. McCain passed away from brain cancer over the weekend.
Last week, the Senate passed the Defense and Labor-HHS-Education spending package. Military spending, funds to address the opioid crisis, and greater transparency from pharmaceutical companies were all included in the appropriations bill. The Labor-HHS bill also 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.
Both chambers of Congress will be out on Monday, September 3 to observe the Labor Day holiday but will resume on Tuesday, September 4.