Abortion: Congress approved P.L. 115-23, a resolution to repeal a regulation that prevented states from withholding Title X federal family planning funds from organizations that provide abortions (March
2017).
Barbara Bush: In April 2018, the Senate passed S. Res. 485, a resolution honoring the life of former First Lady Barbara Bush; the House passed a similar resolution (H. Res. 838).
Child Protection: Congress approved P.L. 115-82, the Providing Resources, Officers, and Technology to Eradicate Cyber Threats to (PROTECT) Our Children Act (October 2017).
Congress approved P.L. 115-126, the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse Act (January 2018).
Congress approved P.L. 115-141, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018. The omnibus spending bill included the provisions of H.R. 5252, the Keep Young Athletes Safe Act (March 2018).
Congress passed P.L. 115-299, the Amy, Vicky, and Andy Child Pornography Victim Assistance Act (September 2018).
In September 2018, Congress approved P.L. 115-267, the Missing Children’s Assistance Act.
Congress approved P.L. 115-395, the CyberTipline Modernization Act.
Congress approved P.L. 115-424, the Victims of Child Abuse Act Reauthorization Act, as amended (December 2018).
DNA Backlog: In August 2017, Congress passed P.L. 115-50, the Rapid DNA Act. The measure integrated innovations to improve the testing of DNA in crimes, including sex crimes.
Congress passed P.L. 115-257, the Justice Served Act. The bill provides additional resources to state and local government to help eliminate the DNA analysis backlog (September 2018).
Domestic Violence: The Senate passed S. Res. 320, a resolution “supporting the goals and ideals of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month” (November 2017).
Family Support: Congress approved P.L. 115-334, the Agriculture and Nutrition Act, also known as the Farm Bill (December 2018). The bill contains provisions regarding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
Program (SNAP), the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program, and the Food for Peace Act.
Food and Drug Administration: Congress passed P.L. 115-52, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Reauthorization Act (August 2017). Among other provisions, the bill instructed the Department of Health and Human Services to include pregnant and lactating women, among other groups, in clinical trials.
Girl Scouts: The Senate passed S. Res. 436, recognizing the 106th birthday of the Girl Scouts and affirming the importance of leadership development for girls.
Global Health: Congress House approved P.L. 115-305, the PEPFAR (President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) Extension Act (November 2018).
Health: In January, Congress approved S. Con. Res. 3, a budget resolution for FY2018 through FY2026. The nonbinding budget blueprint sets forth federal spending limits for FY and includes provisions to repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148), also known as Obamacare.
Congress approved P.L. 115-271, the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment (SUPPORT) for Patients and Communities Act (October 2018). The legislation contained provisions to address the needs of pregnant and postpartum women and infants with substance use disorder.
The Senate passed S. Res. 45, a resolution designating February 2017 as “American Heart Month” and February 3, 2017 as “National Wear Red Day” (February 2017).
The Senate passed S. Res. 419, a resolution designating February 26 through March 4 as “National Eating Disorders Awareness Week” (March 2018).
Human Trafficking: In December 2017, Congress passed P.L. 115-106, the No Human Trafficking on Our Roads Act.
Congress approved P.L. 115-99, the Combatting Human Trafficking in Commercial Vehicles Act (December 2017).
Congress approved P.L. 115-164, the Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act (March 2018).
In March 2018, Congress approved P.L. 115-141, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018. The omnibus spending bill included the provisions of the Targeted Rewards for the Global Eradication of
Human Trafficking (TARGET) Act (H.R. 1625).
Congress passed P.L. 115-327, the Stop, Observe, Ask, and Respond (SOAR) to Health and Wellness Act (December 2018). The legislation includes provisions to train health care providers to identify victims of
human trafficking.
Congress approved P.L. 115-427, the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (December 2018).
In December 2018, Congress passed P.L. 115-425, the Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Reauthorization Act.
In December 2018, Congress approved P.L. 115-392 the Abolish Human Trafficking Act.
Congress passed P.L. 115-393, the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (December 2018).
The Senate passed S. Res. 68, a resolution raising awareness of modern-day slavery (March 2017).
The Senate passed S. Res. 385, a resolution recognizing January as “National Trafficking and Modern Slavery Prevention Month” (February 2018).
International: Congress passed P.L. 115-56, the Continuing Appropriations Act of 2018 and Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Requirements Act. The law contained the provisions of
the Reinforcing Education Accountability in Development (READ) Act, which amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to coordinate educational programs to improve basic education for women and girls (September 2017).
Congress approved P.L. 115-68, the Women, Peace, and Security Act (September 2017).
Congress approved P.L. 115-167, the AGOA (African Growth and Opportunity Act) and MCA (Millennium Challenge Act) Modernization Act (April 2018). Among other provisions, the bill promotes the role of
women in sub-Saharan Africa.
In September 2018, Congress approved P.L. 115-266, the Global Food Security Reauthorization Act.
Congress passed P.L. 115-442, the Protecting Girls’ Access to Education in Vulnerable Settings Act (December 2018).
In December 2018, Congress approved P.L. 115-428, the Women’s Entrepreneurship and Economic Empowerment Act.
The Senate approved S. Res. 84, a resolution recognizing International Women’s Day (March 2017).
In May 2017, the Senate passed S. Res. 149, a resolution supporting the goals and ideals of World Malaria Day.
The Senate approved S. Res. 426, a resolution supporting the goals of International Women’s Day (April 2018).
The House passed H. Res. 187, a resolution relating to the efforts to respond to the famine in South Sudan (April 2017).
Judiciary: In December 2018, Congress approved P.L. 115-391, the First Step Act. Among other provisions, the measure includes provisions to prohibit the use of restraints on pregnant women during labor and postpartum recovery, provide adequate supplies of feminine hygiene products, and collect data on the number of pregnant prisoners in the federal prison system.
Juvenile Justice: The House approved P.L. 115-385, a bill to reauthorize the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act. The bill contains provisions to address the needs of girls in the juvenile
justice system (December 2018).
Maternal Health: Congress passed P.L. 115-320, the Improving Access to Maternity Care Act (December 2018).
Congress passed P.L. No. 115-328, the Prematurity Research Expansion and Education for Mothers Who Deliver Infants Early (PREEMIE) Reauthorization Act (December 2018).
Congress approved P.L. 115-344, the Preventing Maternal Deaths Act (December 2018).
Military: Congress approved P.L. 115-91, the FY2018 National Defense Authorization Act (November 2017). The measure included several provisions regarding military sexual assault, health care, and child
care. The bill also incorporated provisions of H.R. 2052, the Protecting the Rights of Individuals Against Technological Exploitation (PRIVATE) Act.
Congress passed P.L. 115-232, the FY2019 National Defense Authorization Act (July 2018). The legislation included provisions to address military sexual assault, domestic violence, and prevents service members who have given birth from being deployed for 12 months, with exceptions.
Congress passed P.L. 115-282, the Coast Guard Reauthorization Act. Among other provisions, the bill contains provisions to address parental leave (December 2018).
The Senate approved S. Res. 112, which designated April 5, 2017, as “Gold Star Wives Day” (April 2017).
In April 2018, the Senate passed a resolution, S. Res. 472, a resolution designating April 5, 2018, as “Gold Star Wives Day.
Miscellaneous: In December 2018, the Senate approved S. Res. 444, a resolution recognizing the heritage, culture, and contributions of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian women in the United States.
Reproductive Health: The Senate passed S. Res. 336, a resolution recognizing the seriousness of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and designating September 2018 as “Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Awareness Month” (December 2017).
“Rosie the Riveter”: In March 2017, the Senate approved S. Res. 76, a resolution designating March 21 as “National Rosie the Riveter Day.”
The Senate passed S. Res. 418, a resolution to designate March 21, 2018 as “National Rosie the Riveter Day” (February 2018).
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM): In February 2017, Congress passed P.L. 115-5, the Inspiring the Next Space Pioneers, Innovators, Researchers, and Explorers (INSPIRE) Women Act.
Congress approved P.L. 115-6, the Promoting Women in Entrepreneurship Act (February 2017).
Congress approved P.L. 115-273, the Study of Underrepresented Classes Chasing Engineering and Science Success (SUCCESS) Act (October 2018). The measure requires the U.S. Patent Office and the Small Business Administration to study efforts to increase the number of women and minorities applying for and obtaining patents, and participating in entrepreneurship activities.
Congress approved P.L. 115-303, the Women in Aerospace Education Act (November 2018).
Congress approved P.L. 115-309, a bill to name a National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) facility after NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson (December 2018).
Congress passed P.L 115-402, the Innovations in Mentoring, Training, and Apprenticeship Act (December 2018).
In July 2018, the Senate approved S. Res. 592, a resolution designating October 9, 2018, as “National Ada Lovelace Day,” and honoring the life and legacy of Ada Lovelace, the first computer programmer.
The Senate passed S. Res. 593, a resolution honoring the life and legacy of Grace Hopper, professor, inventor, entrepreneur, business leader, and Rear Admiral of the Navy (July 2018).
Senate Floor: The Senate passed S. Res. 436, a resolution authorizing a senator to bring a young son or daughter of the senator to the floor of the Senate during votes (April 2018).
Sexual Assault: Congress approved P.L. 115-107, the Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence Reporting (SAFER) Act of 2017 (December 2017).
Sexual Harassment: Congress approved P.L. 115-397, the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 Reform Act (December 2018). The bill addresses sexual harassment in the congressional workplace.
The Senate passed S. Res. 330, a resolution mandating anti-harassment training for Senators and officers, employees, and interns of, and detailees to, the Senate (November 2017).
The House passed H. Res. 630, requiring mandatory sexual harassment training for all Members of Congress, officers, and employees of the House of Representatives (November 2017).
In February 2018, the House passed H. Res. 724, a resolution implementing mandatory anti-harassment and anti-discrimination policies for House of Representatives offices.
Louise Slaughter: Congress approved P.L. 115-277, a bill to rename the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act of 2012 in honor of the late Rep. Louise McIntosh Slaughter (D-NY) (October 2018).
In March 2018, the House passed H. Res. 788, a resolution expressing the profound sorrow of the House of Representatives on the death of Congresswoman Louise McIntosh Slaughter (D-NY). Rep. Slaughter
was a co-chair of the Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues during the 108th Congress. At the time of her passing, she served as Ranking Member of the House Committee on Rules; she became the first woman to chair the Rules Committee in 2007.
Small Business/Entrepreneurship: The Senate passed S. Res. 693, the Women’s Business Ownership Act (November 2018).
Sports: In February 2018, the Senate passed S. Res. 398, a resolution supporting the observation of February 7, 2018 as “National Girls & Women in Sports Day.”
Tax Policy: Congress approved P.L. 115-97, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (December 2017). The measure contained provisions regarding the child tax credit and the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).
Veterans: Congress passed P.L. 115-182, the VA Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks (MISSION) Act, as amended (May 2018). The legislation included provisions to provide gender-specific services at Veterans Administration facilities.
Violence Against Women: Congress passed P.L. 115-237, the Pro bono Work to Empower and Represent (POWER) Act, which promotes pro bono legal services for survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking (July 2018).
The Senate passed S. Res. 41, a resolution to increase awareness and prevention of stalking by designating January 2017 as “National Stalking Awareness Month” (February 2017).
The Senate approved S. Res. 390, a resolution to raise awareness of prevention of stalking by designating January 2018 as “National Stalking Awareness Month” (January 2018).
The Senate approved S. Res. 60, a resolution designating May 5, 2017, as the “National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls” (May 2017).
The Senate approved S. Res. 159, a resolution recognizing and supporting the goals and ideals of National Sexual Assault Awareness Month (May 2017).
In April 2018, the Senate passed S. Res. 401, a resolution designating May 5 as a “National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls.”
The Senate passed, by unanimous consent, S. Res. 499, a resolution recognizing and supporting the goals and ideals of National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (April 2018).
WCSA: In September 2018, the Senate approved S. Res. 630, a resolution celebrating the tenth anniversary of the Women’s Congressional Staff Association.
Women’s History: The Senate passed S. Res. 448, a resolution designating March as “National Women’s History Month” (March 2018).
Abortion: The House approved H.R. 7, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act (January 2017).
The House passed H.R. 36, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (October 2017).
The House passed H.R. 4712, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act (January 2018).
Breastfeeding: The House approved H.R. 1174, the Fairness for Breastfeeding Mothers Act (March 2017).
Child Protection: The Senate passed the Child Protection Improvement Act (S. 705) in October 2017. The House approved H.R. 695, its version of the Child Protection Improvement Act in May 2017. The measures would require background checks for those who have access to children, the elderly, or individuals with disabilities as part of their employment.
The House approved H.R. 883, the Targeting Child Predators Act (May 2017).
In May 2017, the House passed H.R. 1188, the Adam Walsh Reauthorization Act. The legislation would reauthorize several sex offender registry programs. In September 2018, the House passed another
version of this legislation (H.R. 6847).
The House approved H.R. 1761, the Protecting Against Child Exploitation Act (May 2017).
The House passed H.R. 1808, the Improving Support for Missing and Exploited Children Act (May 2017).
In May 2017, the House approved H.R. 1842, the Strengthening Children’s Safety Act. The measure would increase penalties for sex offenders who fail to register in their states.
The House approved H.R. 1862, the Global Child Protection Act (May 2017). The legislation seeks to address the issue of child “sex tourism.”
The House approved H.R. 4203, the Combat Online Predators Act (April 2018).
The House passed H.R. 4655, the Curbing Realistic Exploitative Electronic Pedophilic Robots (CREEPER) Act. The bill would prohibit the importation or interstate transportation of child sex dolls (June 2018).
The House approved H. Con. Res. 72, a resolution expressing the sense of Congress regarding the protection of children in custody adjudications where family violence is alleged (September 2018).
Education: The House Education and the Workforce Committee passed H.R. 4508, the Promoting Real Opportunity, Success, and Prosperity through Education Reform (PROSPER) Act. The bill would reauthorize the Higher Education Opportunity Act (P.L. 110-315) and contains provisions to address campus sexual assault.
Employment: The House approved H.R. 1180, the Working Families Flexibility Act (May 2017). The bill would entitle employees to comp time in lieu of overtime.
The House approved H.R. 338, a bill to promote a 21st century energy and manufacturing workforce (June 2017). The legislation would prioritize education and training for energy and manufacturing related jobs. Such training would include outreach programs to increase the number of women and minorities trained to enter energy and manufacturing sectors.
The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee approved H.R. 680, the Eliminating Pornography from Agencies Act (March 2017).
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee passed H.R. 4673, the Promoting Women in the Aviation Workforce Act, as amended (April 2018).
Family Support: The House passed H.R. 2842, the Accelerating Individuals into the Workforce Act (June 2017). The legislation would establish an employment demonstration project for Temporary Assistance
for Needy Families recipients to help low-income individuals enter into and retain employment.
The House approved H.R. 4258, the Family Self-Sufficiency Act (January 2018).
Global Health: The Senate approved H.R. 1660, the Global Health Innovations Act (December 2018). The bill contains provisions designed to address maternal and child health.
The House Foreign Affairs Committee approved H.R. 1415, the End Neglected Tropical Diseases Act (November 2017).
Health: The House approved H.R. 1628, the American Health Care Act (AHCA). The bill contains provisions to repeal and replace the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) (P.L. 111-148), commonly known as “Obamacare” (May 2017).
The House Energy and Commerce Committee approved H.R. 3922, the Community Health and Medical Professionals Improve Our Nation (CHAMPION) Act (October 2017). The bill would extend federal funding for several programs, including the Community Health Centers, Family-to-Family Health Information Centers, Youth Empowerment, and Personal Responsibility Education (PREP) programs.
The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health approved H.R. 5562, the Protecting Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) Babies Act (April 2018).
Housing: The House approved H.R. 5793, the Housing Choice Voucher Mobility Demonstration Act. The measure would encourage families receiving housing choice vouchers to move to lower-poverty areas
and expand access to areas with high opportunity (July 2018).
Human Trafficking: The House approved H.R. 2473, the Enforcing Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act (May 2017).
The House approved H.R. 2480, the Empowering Law Enforcement to Fight Sex Trafficking Demand Act (July 2017).
The House passed H.R. 2664, the Enhancing Detection of Human Trafficking Act (July 2017).
The House approved H.R. 2219, the End Banking for Human Traffickers Act (April 2018). The bill would combat money laundering by human traffickers.
In June 2018, the House passed H.R. 6069, the Fight Illicit Networks and Detect (FIND) Trafficking Act.
The House approved H.R. 6729, the Empowering Financial Institutions to Fight Human Trafficking Act (September 2018).
The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee approved S. 1847, the Homeland Security for Children Act (October 2017). The bill contains a provision to protect children from human trafficking.
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation passed S. 1693, the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act (SESTA) (November 2017).
In November 2017, the House Judiciary Committee approved H.R. 3249, the Project Safe Neighborhoods Grant Program Authorization Act. The measure contains provisions to address human trafficking by gangs.
International: In March 2018, the Senate passed S. 2286, the Nick Castle Peace Corps Reform Act. Among other provisions, the bill would address sexual assault of Peace Corps volunteers while abroad. In July 2018, the House passed a similar bill, H.R. 2259, the Sam Farr Peace Corps Enhancement Act.
The House approved H.R. 600, the Digital Global Access Policy (GAP) Act. Among other provisions, the measure would encourage developing countries to improve gender equality with regard to access to the Internet (January 2017).
The House approved H. Con. Res. 90, a resolution condemning violence committed against the Rohingya (December 2017). The resolution addresses acts of violence, including the rape of women and girls,
committed against the ethnic minority in Myanmar, formerly known as Burma.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved S. 1631, the FY2018 Department of State Authorization Act. Among other provisions, the bill would authorize the Office of Global Women’s Issues within the State Department (July 2017).
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved S. Res. 426, a resolution supporting the goals of International Women’s Day (March 2018).
Maternal Health: The House approved H.R. 2824, the Increasing Opportunity through Evidence-Based Home Visiting Act (September 2017). The bill would extend the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood
Home Visiting Program.
In June 2018, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee approved S. 1112, the Maternal Health Accountability Act.
Miscellaneous: The House passed H.R. 805, the Tulare Youth Recreation and Women’s History Enhancement Act (June 2018).
Louise Slaughter: In December 2018, the House approved H.R. 7293, a bill to designate the Louise and Bob Slaughter Post Office facility in New York. The bill honors the late-Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY) who passed away in March 2018.
Small Business/Entrepreneurship: The House passed H.R. 1680, the Women’s Business Centers Improvements Act (May 2018).
In May 2018, the House approved H.R. 1702, the Small Business Development Centers Improvement Act, as amended.
The House Small Business Committee passed H.R. 6369, the Expanding Contracting Opportunities for Small Businesses Act (July 2018).
The House Small Business Committee approved H.R. 6382, the Clarity on Small Businesses Participation in Category Management Act (July 2018).
STEM: The Senate passed S. 3321, the Hidden Figures Congressional Gold Medal Act (November 2018).
The House passed H.R. 382, the 100 years of Women in Congress Act (March 2017). The measure recognizes Rep. Jeannette Rankin (R-MT), the first woman elected to Congress in 1916, as a pioneer for women in politics and science and would allow grants to promote women and minorities in science, technology, engineering, and math.
In December 2017, the House passed H.R. 4375, the STEM Research and Education Effectiveness and Transparency Act. The measure contains a provision to study broadening participation of women and other underrepresented individuals in certain National Science Foundation research and education programs.
The House passed H.R. 3397, the Building Blocks of STEM Act (February 2018). The bill contains provisions to support girls in STEM education and computer science.
Veterans: In July 2017, the House approved H.R. 95, the Veterans’ Access to Child Care Act.
The House passed H.R. 3642, the Military Sexual Assault Victims Empowerment (SAVE) Act (May 2018).
The House passed H.R. 4334, the Improving Oversight of Women Veterans’ Care Act (May 2018).
In May 2018, the House approved H.R. 4451, the Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Programs Reauthorization Act, as amended. Among other provisions, H.R. 4451 would extend the homeless women veterans and veterans with children reintegration programs for five years.
The House approved H.R. 4635, a bill to direct the secretary of Veterans Affairs to increase the number of peer-to-peer counselors providing counseling for women veterans, as amended (June 2018).
The House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Health approved H.R. 907, the Newborn Care Improvement Act (April 2017).
The House Veterans Affairs Committee on Health approved H.R. 91, the Building Supportive Networks for Women Veterans Act (May 2017).
Violence Against Women: The Senate passed S. 2349, the Improve Data on Sexual Violence Act (May 2018).
The Senate passed S. 1942, Savanna’s Act (December 2018). The bill would improve protocols to address missing and murdered Indians, particularly the high rates of missing and murdered Native women.
The House approved H.R. 3317, the Stopping Abusive Female Exploitation (SAFE) Act (December 2017).
In September 2018, the House passed H.R. 6014, a bill to reauthorize the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act.
The Senate Indian Affairs Committee approved S. 1870, the Securing Urgent Resources Vital to Indian Victim Empowerment (SURVIVE) Act (December 2017).
The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee passed S. 2349, the Improve Data on Sexual Violence Act (February 2018).
The Senate Indian Affairs Committee passed S. 1953, the Tribal Law and Order Reauthorization and Amendments Act, as amended (February 2018).
