By Laura Walling, Senior Director of Government Relations, Goodwill Industries International
The short period following the mid-term election and before the start of the next Congress is referred to as the “lame duck”. Lawmakers spend the bulk of this time negotiating details for must-pass bills like funding the federal government.
The House passed several bipartisan bills recently, however prospects of the passage in the Senate are low given competing priorities and a limited amount of time before Congress adjourns (not to mention the desire to break over the holidays). Among the bills passed by the House include:
- The Jackie Walorski Maternal and Child Home Visiting Reauthorization Act of 2022 which includes the Nurse Family Partnership Program. A local Goodwill testified earlier this year Goodwill’s experience working with this program and in support of this measure.
- The One Stop Shop Community Reentry Program Act, which will support community-based reentry resources for previously incarcerated individuals who return to their communities.
Following weeks of negotiations, the House also passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), a defense policy bill that among other things would repeal the Pentagon’s mandate that troops receive the Covid vaccine or be forced out of the military and includes the reauthorization of the Assistive Technology Act (ATA). The ATA provides service for people with disabilities needing assistive technology including the coordination and use of necessary therapies, interventions, or other services. The Senate is expected to pass the NDAA, sending it to President Biden’s desk next week.
It is still unknown if a year-end tax bill will come together as nonprofits continue to push for extension of a universal charitable deduction. In March 2020, Congress enacted a $300 charitable deduction for cash gifts from nonitemizers for 2020 and in December 2020 extended its availability through 2021 and increased the cap to $600 for joint filers. Thereafter, the number of small gifts to charities – especially those of $300 and $600 – saw a significant increase. Unfortunately, the temporary provision expired at the end of last year and has yet to be renewed. A year-end tax bill could include this measure which has support from both sides of the aisle.
Lastly, Congress must pass an omnibus appropriations bill or a continuing resolution to keep the government funded. With current funding expiring on December 16, it is likely that a short-term continuing resolution will be passed to give them more time negotiate. Some are advocating for it to run until December 23 while others want it to go into January after the next Congress begins.
