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Legislative links, information and advocacy from federal to state

March 2024 Update  

Partnering for Success with

Governor Moore's Service Year Option


Maryland's Department of Service & Civic Innovation (DSCI) invites you to connect with them to find out more about Governor Wes Moore's new initiative regarding an invaluable opportunity to help your clients and/or students determine the best next steps in their work or educational journey through a year of paid, full-time service.

According to State Delegate, Michele Guyton, "our service option is working well and being expanded."

Please utilize the following Service Year Option/Maryland Corps Info Session link to schedule your virtual 1:1 connection with DSCI and find out more. If you have an existing event that you would like for us to attend or have a group of potential participants you would like us to speak to in person, please let us know.

Should you have any questions or feedback in advance, please visit https://dsci.maryland.gov or email applytoserve@maryland.gov.


    Headlines to know - Week of March 11th

    Headlines to Know

    Biden Delivers State of the Union 

    Fighting Words 

    • Biden attacked the Republican-led House, which has faced difficulty in approving funding to avoid government shutdowns, tackle the border, and provide foreign aid for allies' defense and humanitarian assistance; he also attacked corporate “shrinkflation” and “junk fee” practices in an effort to connect with consumers. 
    • Biden hit Israel and Hamas on their failures to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza and to agree to a ceasefire.  
    • Finally, Court rulings on reproductive rights were a lightning rod for Biden’s “anger,” as MSNBC Host and former White House press secretary Jen Psaki said. Biden denounced Alabama’s Supreme Court ruling banning IVF before condemning the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision overturning Roe vs. Wade in front of present Justices, warning them of the “electoral power of women.”  

    Immigration and the Border 

    • Biden directly tackled border security and immigration, which polling has consistently shown as his weakest issue. He did this by criticizing House Republicans for killing the bipartisan Senate border security bill and by going off script to spar with Republican Representative Majorie Taylor Greene and directly address the family. 
    • Laken Riley’s murder in 2022 (the main suspect, an undocumented migrant) and the Laken Riley Act inspired by it have been major flashpoints in the 2024 election cycle. Many Congressional Republicans wore Laken Riley pins, including Marjorie Taylor Greene (also decked out in Trump memorabilia), who gave one to President Biden.  
    • Biden looked at the pin while addressing Riley’s family, acknowledging that she was killed by an “illegal” while pointing out that many thousands of people are killed by “legal” (presumably referring to American citizens/residents) every year. Biden was criticized by the National Immigration Law Center and Congressional Democrats, including Representative Jayapal, for his use of the term; he has since apologized

    Katie Britt’s Dramatic Response 

    • Republican Senator from Alabama, Katie Britt, gave the GOP rebuttal to the State of the Union. During her speech, she called Biden a “diminished leader” while hitting him on border security, China, and more.  
    • One of her main points was Biden’s handling of immigration. As an example, she shared the story of a woman from Del Rio, Texas, who was sex trafficked by cartels at the age of 12. She argued that “we wouldn’t be OK with this happening in a third-world country,” blaming Biden for the crisis at the border and situations like those.    
    • AP News and Independent Journalist Jonathan Katz discovered that the incident Britt described occurred in Mexico during George W. Bush’s presidency. Sen. Britt’s spokesman confirmed this on Saturday.  

    A Less than Lukewarm Reception 

    TikTok’s On the Clock  

    • Last Thursday, the House Energy and Commerce Committee approved a bill that would potentially ban the popular social media app TikTok from the US. According to House Leader Steve Scalise, the bill will make it to the House floor this week. 
    • The current TikTok bill would ban the app from US app stores due to its relationship with ByteDance, known for harvesting massive amounts of user data in America. TikTok continues to assert to US lawmakers that there are no ties between TikTok and China. However, US representatives have unanimously moved the bill to the floor. 
    • Although TikTok critics may be excited about the site’s ban, many previous bill iterations have stalled in the Senate.   

    Other News to Know 

    Mississippi holds the Primary for 5 Seats in Congress 

      Legislative and Policy Highlights 

        Budget and Funding Actions

        • The federal government avoided a shutdown with the Senate's passage of a six-bill funding package totaling $467.5 billion, signed by President Biden just before the deadline. This package, which passed with a 75-22 vote, secures funding for various departments, including Agriculture, Commerce, Justice, Energy, Interior, Veterans Affairs, and more.
        • With part of the government now funded, attention turns to a larger second package to address funding before the next deadline on March 22. This package is expected to cover approximately 70% of government operations.
        • Additionally, five months into the fiscal year, part of the federal government received regular funding through a different bill, aligning with a broader strategy to manage fiscal responsibilities and priorities, including a significant budget request to reduce the deficit by $3 trillion over a decade.

        Technology and Commerce Initiatives

        • Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo is set to announce additional CHIPS grants for key industry players. This initiative is part of a strategic move to bolster the U.S.'s capabilities in producing advanced logic chips, aiming for domestic production of 20% and establishing a supportive supply chain by 2030.

        Legislative Developments and Debates

        • The FAA reauthorization process is in progress, highlighting efforts to ensure aviation safety and operational oversight. The current focus is on reconciling Senate and House bills before the upcoming deadline.
        • A significant legislative debate surrounds IVF protections, with a proposed bill to safeguard access to in-vitro fertilization being blocked in the Senate. This reflects the broader discourse on reproductive rights and the implications of recent judicial decisions.

        Tax Legislation Challenges

        • Congressional gridlock persists over a bipartisan tax bill, with key points of contention including the Child Tax Credit and business tax breaks. Despite the impasse, this legislation is crucial for potentially lifting hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty. It is seen as a precursor to a larger tax debate aligned with Biden’s proposed 2025 budget.

          Hearings

          All times in EST  

          Monday March 11th, 2024 

          2:30 PM 

          ·       Senate Select Intelligence Meeting: 

          ·       Hearings to examine worldwide threats. 

          4:00 PM 

          ·       House Rules Meeting: 

          ·       H.R. 6276 - Utilizing Space Efficiently and Improving Technologies Act of 2023; H. Res. Denouncing the Biden administration’s immigration policies. 

          4:30 PM 

          ·       Senate Select Intelligence Meeting 

          ·       Closed hearings to examine certain intelligence matters. 

          Tuesday March 12th, 2024 

          9:30 AM 

          ·       Senate Armed Senate Armed Services Meeting 

          ·       Hearings to examine global security challenges and U.S. strategy. 

          10:00 AM 

          ·       House Homeland Security Hearing: Transportation and Maritime Security Subcommittee 

          ·       Organizational Oversight: Examining TSA’s Post-Modernization Efforts 

          ·       House Small Business Hearing: Oversight, Investigations, and Regulations 

          ·       "Navigating Regulations: Alternative Pathways to Investing in Small Businesses" 

          ·       House Intelligence (Permanent Select) Hearing 

          ·       2024 Annual Threat Assessment (Open Session) 

          ·       House Judiciary Hearing 

          ·       Hearing on the Report of Special Counsel Robert K. Hur 

          ·       House Energy and Commerce Markup 

          ·       Legislation: H.R.7153, H.R.7218, H.R.620, H.R.7208, H.R.5074, H.R.6829, H.R.6960, H.R.7251, H.R.4646, H.R.7406, H.R.4581, H.R.3916, H.R.5012, H.R.6160, H.R.2706, H.R.619, H.R.7224, H.R.7189, H.R.5526 

          ·       House Financial Services Meeting: National Security, Illicit Finance, and International Financial Institutions Subcommittee 

          ·       Mission Critical: Restoring National Security as the Focus of Defense Production Act Reauthorization 

          ·       House Oversight and Accountability Hearing: Economic Growth, Energy Policy, and Regulatory Affairs Subcommittee 

          ·       “The Power Struggle: Examining the Reliability and Security of America’s Electrical Grid” 

          ·       House Armed Services Hearing 

          ·       U.S. Military Posture and National Security Challenges in North and South America 

          ·       Senate Energy and Natural Resources Meeting 

          ·       Hearings to examine the findings and recommendations of the Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission 

          ·       Senate Finance Meeting 

          ·       Hearings will be held to examine growing U.S. manufacturing through the tax code. 

          ·       Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Meeting 

          ·       Hearings to examine proposals to address housing affordability, availability, and other community needs. 

          ·       Senate Judiciary Meeting 

          ·       Hearings to Examine Voting Rights in America 

          ·       Senate Environment and Public Works Meeting 

          ·       Business meeting to consider S.3791 to reauthorize the America's Conservation Enhancement Act, S.3858 to establish within the Office of Land and Emergency Management of the Environmental Protection Agency the Office of Mountains, Deserts, and Plains, and S.3891 to amend the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 to update and expand Federal economic development investment in the economic recovery, resiliency, and competitiveness of communities, regions, and States across the United States. 

          10:15 AM 

          ·       House Education and the Workforce Hearing: Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education Subcommittee 

          ·       "Safeguarding Student-Athletes from NLRB Misclassification" 

          ·       House Education and the Workforce Hearing: Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee 

          ·       "Safeguarding Student-Athletes from NLRB Misclassification" 

          ·       Senate Budget Meeting 

          ·       Hearings to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2025. 

          10:30 AM

          ·       Committee on House Administration Meeting: Oversight Subcommittee 

          ·       “Three Years Later: Assessing the Law Enforcement Response to Multiple Pipe Bombs on January 6, 2021” 

          11:00 AM 

          ·       House Ways and Means Hearing 

          ·       Enhancing Access to Care at Home in Rural and Underserved Communities 

          2:00 PM 

          ·       House Intelligence (Permanent Select) Hearing 

          ·       2024 Annual Threat Assessment (Closed Session) 

          ·       House Oversight and Accountability Hearing: Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation Subcommittee 

          ·       “Addressing Real Harm Done by Deepfakes” 

          ·       House Energy and Commerce Meeting: Communications and Technology Subcommittee 

          ·       Markups:            
          H.R.820, H.R.1513, H.R.2864, H.R.7589 

          ·       Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Meeting: Employment and Workplace Safety Subcommittee 

          ·       Hearings will examine youth apprenticeships, focusing on building partnerships and strengthening career pathways. 

          2:30 PM 

          ·       Joint Economic Committee Meeting 

          ·       Hearings to examine the fiscal situation of the United States

          3:00 PM 

          ·       Senate Rules and Administration Meeting 

          ·       Hearings will be held to examine the administration of upcoming elections. 

          Wednesday March 13th, 2024 

          9:00 AM 

          ·       House Financial Services Hearing: Digital Assets, Financial Technology and Inclusion Subcommittee 

          ·       Bureaucratic Overreach or Consumer Protection? Examining the CFPB's Latest Action to Restrict Competition in Payments 

          ·       House Armed Services Hearing: Cyber, Information Technologies, and Innovation Subcommittee 

          ·       Too Critical to Fail: Getting Software Right in an Age of Rapid Innovation 

          10:00 AM 

          ·       House Veterans Affairs Hearing 

          ·       Legislative Presentation of The American Legion & Multi VSOs: JWV, TAPS, NCHV, MOAA, NACVSO, NCAI, VVA, NGAUS, FRA before the House and Senate VSO Joint Hearing 

          ·       Senate Veterans' Affairs Meeting 

          ·       This is a joint hearing with the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs to examine the legislative presentation of The American Legion and multiple veterans service organizations: JWV, TAPS, NCHV, MOAA, NACVSO, NCAI, VVA, NGAUS, and FRA. 

          Thursday March 14th, 2024

          9:30 AM 

          ·       Senate Armed Services Meeting 

          ·       Hearings to examine the posture of United States Northern Command and United States Southern Command in review of the Defense Authorization Request for Fiscal Year 2025 and the Future Years Defense Program; to be immediately followed by a closed session in SVC-217 

          10:00 AM 

          ·       Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Meeting 

          ·       Hearings will be conducted to examine how to respond to the increasing wildfire threat. 

          ·       Senate Finance Meeting 

          ·       Hearings to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2025 for the Department of Health and Human Services

          ·       Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Meeting 

          ·       Hearings will be conducted to examine workers benefitting from new technology and increase productivity

          ·       Senate Judiciary Meeting 

          ·       This is a business meeting to consider S.1306, to reauthorize the COPS ON THE BEAT grant program, and to nominate David O. Barnett, Jr., to be the United States Marshal for the District of New Mexico, Department of Justice. 

          10:30 AM 

          ·       Senate Foreign Relations Meeting 

          ·       Hearings will be held to examine U.S. strategy in the Pacific Islands region. 

          ***   ***   ***   ***   ***

          118th U.S. CONGRESS

          • Both the House and Senate are in Session the week of Marc h 11th.
          • Contact & More Information: House & Senate 

          Executive Branch

            Maryland General Assembly (446th session)

            • The Maryland General Assembly convened Wednesday, January 10, 2024. All bills that failed to make it across the finish line in 2023 will have to start again from scratch.
            • For a general overview and information on the 2024 session, visit the General Assembly's Tutorial page
            • Contact & More Information


              Advocacy Affiliates

              MCDA is an affiliate of NCDA, ACA, and MCA and its advocacy work is linked to these organizations. Your MCDA membership automatically links you to the advocacy efforts of all four groups. However, all MCDA members are eligible to join these groups. 

              NCDA Federal Advocacy

              Top Issues - policy provisions, program developments or spending cuts impacting career practitioners nationwide:

              For additional information:

              ACA Federal Advocacy

              Agenda for Advocacy Power Hours (APH):

              1. Introduction of attendees and ACA staff
              2. State updates – ACA staff
              3. Federal updates – ACA staff
              4. State & regional updates – ACA members
              5. Final call(s) to action – ACA staff
              6. Q&A, wrap up, and important ACA administrative updates – ACA staff

              Meetings and an updated schedule for the 2024 FY will resume in September 2023.

                MCA Advocacy

                • Our Counseling Compact WELCOMEs New Hampshire! There are now 15 states  signed to the Counseling Compact including:  Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Ohio, Tennessee, Utah and West Virginia!
                • Click here to access the MCA Advocacy Committee web page.

                  For any questions or to get involved in legislative advocacy at the local, state, or national level, 
                  please contact 
                  MCDA’s Legislative Co-Chairs MCDA.Legislative@MDCareers.org.



                  Maryland Career Development Association (MCDA), 915 Russell Ave, Suite B, Gaithersburg, MD 20879


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