Extending Medicaid Funding, the Debt Limit, Membership into the American Legion, and Support For 9-11 Victims, Law Enforcement Officers, and Breastfeeding Moms

Sustaining Excellence in Medicaid Act of 2019 (HR 3253) – This bill authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 2024 and makes changes to several Medicaid programs and funding mechanisms. Some of the provisions include allowing state Medicaid fraud control units to review complaints regarding noninstitutionalized patients; temporarily extending Medicaid eligibility to protect against spousal poverty for recipients of home and community-based services; repealing the requirement for drug manufacturers to include the prices of authorized generic drugs when determining the average manufacturer price (AMP) of brand name drugs; and excluding manufacturers from the definition of “wholesalers” for purposes of rebate calculations. The legislation was sponsored by Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI). It was introduced on June 13 and signed into law by the president on Aug. 6.

Bipartisan Budget Act of 2019 (HR 3877) – Introduced on July 23 by Rep. John Yarmuth (D-KY), this legislation amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 to temporarily suspend the public debt limit through July 31, 2021, and establish a congressional budget for fiscal years 2020 and 2021. Among other provisions, the bill sets limits for Overseas Contingency Operations funding and requires fiscal year 2020 discretionary spending limits to reflect specified funding for the 2020 Census. The bill was signed into law by the president on Aug. 2.

Never Forget the Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer, and Luis Alvarez Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act (HR 1327) – This bill extends authorization for the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund through 2090. It was introduced by Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) on Feb. 25 and signed into law by the president on July 29.

LEGION Act (S 204) – This bill was introduced on Feb. 14 by Sen. Krysten Sinema (D-AZ). It authorizes the extension of membership into the American Legion to all military personnel who served during unrecognized war eras that involved active military personnel. The president signed the bill into law on July 30.

Fairness For Breastfeeding Mothers Act of 2019 (H.R. 866) – This legislation mandates that federal buildings establish a separate room (other than a bathroom) for breastfeeding mothers to be consistent with laws that make such requirements for all employers with 50+ employees and all large- and medium-sized airports. The bill was introduced on Jan. 30 by Rep. Eleanor Norton (D-DC), passed in the House in February and the Senate in June, and was enacted by the president on July 25.

Supporting and Treating Officers in Crisis Act of 2019 (S. 998) – This bill was introduced by Sen. Joshua Hawley (R-MO) on April 3. It was passed in the Senate in May and by the House in July and signed into law by the president on July 25. The legislation amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to offer additional support for law enforcement officer family services, stress reduction, suicide prevention and other purposes.