CD245: New Year, Same Congress

Much media attention has been rightfully aimed at the recent failures of Congress, but there was, in fact, lawmaking happening at the end of 2021. In this episode, learn about some laws that didn't get much attention, including a law that solves a real problem and a few laws designed to economically punish China. We also take a look at what is happening in Congress as we start 2022 and look for opportunities for effective activism as we enter this Congressional election year. Please Support Congressional Dish – Quick Links Contribute monthly or a lump sum via Support Congressional Dish via (donations per episode) Send Zelle payments to: Donation@congressionaldish.com Send Venmo payments to: @Jennifer-Briney Send Cash App payments to: $CongressionalDish or Donation@congressionaldish.com Use your bank’s online bill pay function to mail contributions to: Please make checks payable to Congressional Dish Thank you for supporting truly independent media! Please take our ! Background Sources Recommended Congressional Dish Episodes : January 6: The Capitol Riot : American Rescue Plan : FirstNet Empowers AT&T : Fast Tracking Fast Track (Trade Promotion Authority) NDAA 2022 Jamie Dupree. Dec 9, 2021. Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Huawui Sanctions Alessandro Civati. Jan 10, 2022. LinkedIn. Craig S. Smith. Sept 29, 2021. IEEE Spectrum. Federal Communications Commission. Mar 12, 2021. Hadlee Simons. Sept 15, 2020. Android Authority. Julian E. Barnes and Adam Satariano. Mar 17, 2019. The New York Times. Build Back Better is Dead Joe Manchin. Dec 19, 2021. Fox News. Jamie Dupree. Dec 3, 2021. Regular Order. 2022 Spending Department of Homeland Security. Paul Kane. Jan 12, 2022. The Washington Post. Voting Rights and Election Reform Cristina Marcos. Jan 13, 2022. The Hill. Zachary B. Wolf. May 19, 2021. CNN. The Filibuster Lindsay Wise. Jan 10, 2022. The Wall Street Journal. Tim Lau. Apr 26, 2021. Brennan Center for Justice. Sarah A. Binder. Apr 22, 2010. Brookings. The Electoral Count Act Miles Parks. Jan 8, 2022. NPR. Laws and Resolutions Sponsor: Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) Status: Signed into law by the President on Dec 16, 2021 Sponsor: Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) Status: Signed into law by the President on Dec 10, 2021 Status: Signed into law by the President on Dec 27, 2021 Sponsor: Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) Status: Signed into law by the President on Dec 22, 2021 Sponsor: Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA) Status: Signed into law by the President on Dec 23, 2021 Sponsor: Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) Status: Signed into law by the President on Nov 11, 2021 Sponsor: Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) Status: Signed into law by the President on Dec 3, 2021 Tax credits for COVID For the COVID emergency declared on March 13, 2020 “and for any subsequent major disaster declarations that supercedes such emergency declaration”, FEMA funds “shall” be paid for 100% of disaster-related funeral expenses. For 2021, eligible taxpayers can get up to 50% of up to $8,000 in childcare costs (capped at $16,000 for multiple children under the age of 12) reimbursed via a refundable tax credit. The credit phases out for families with income higher than $400,000 per year. Allows self employed individuals to receive a tax credit for sick day related to COVID-19 from April 1, 2021 through September 30, 2021, including getting tested, quarantining, illness, and getting the vaccine. The number of days is capped at 10 and its capped at $200 per day. (=$2,000) Allows self employed individuals to receive a refundable tax credit for family leave for COVID-19 testing, illness, or vaccines. It’s capped at 60 days and $200 per day (=$12,000) Bills Sponsor: Rep. Terri Sewell (D-AL) Sponsor: Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) Sponsor: Rep. Donald Beyer (D-VA) Audio sources Sen. Kyrsten Sinema. Jan 13, 2022. C-SPAN. Sen. Krysten Sinema: I rise at a challenging divisive time for our nation. For years, America's politics have spiraled steadily downward into increasingly bitter tribal partisanship and our democracy has been strained. While that may sound abstract, it is a problem that hurts Americans in real, tangible ways. These deepening divisions hurt our ability to work together to create new job opportunities, protect the health and safety of our communities and country and to ensure everyday families get ahead. Our country's divisions have now fueled efforts in several states that will make it more difficult for Americans to vote and undermine faith that all Americans should have in our elections in our democracy. These state laws have no place in a nation whose government is formed by free, fair and open elections. I share the concerns of civil rights advocates and others I've heard from in recent months about these state laws. I strongly support those efforts to contest these laws and court and to invest significant resources into these states to better organize and stop efforts to restrict access at the ballot box. And I strongly support and will continue to vote for legislative responses to address these state laws, including the freedom to vote Act, and the John Lewis voting rights Advancement Act that the Senate is currently considering. And while I continue to support these bills, I will not support separate actions that were sent the underlying disease of division infecting our country. The debate over the Senate 60 vote threshold shines a light on our broader challenges. There is no need for me to restate my long standing support for the 60 vote threshold to pass legislation. There's no need for me to restate its role protecting our country from wild reversals and federal policy. Eliminating the 60 vote threshold will simply guarantee that we lose a critical tool that we need to safeguard our democracy from threats in the years to come. Our mandate, it seems evident to me work together and get stuff done for America. Cover Art Design by Only Child Imaginations Music Presented in This Episode Intro & Exit: by (found on by mevio)