Dear Colleague: Update on the May Work Period
Press Types
Internal
For Immediate Release:
May 6, 2021
Dear Colleague:
When the House returns for the May work period, we will consider a number of bills that aim to align our nation’s policies with our highest principles of equality, justice, and opportunity for all. They build on the progress we made last month with the passage of legislation to promote equal pay for equal work, to extend full representation to those living in our nation’s capital, to protect health care and social services workers, and to ensure that those arriving on our shores are treated with dignity and due process. Throughout the 117th Congress, the House will continue to advance an agenda of helping more of our people Make It In America and making opportunities more equitable for all who work hard and contribute to our economy.
During the week of May 11, we will consider bipartisan legislation under suspension to address critical mental health needs in our communities, including by strengthening suicide-prevention efforts, authorizing grants for school-based mental health services, and addressing disparities in mental health care among underserved and high-poverty communities. We will also consider a package of bills under a rule from the Financial Services Committee, introduced by Chairwoman Waters and composed of legislation authored by Reps. Velazquez, Meeks, Cleaver, Dean, Pressley, Tlaib, and Auchincloss, aimed at reforming various aspects of the debt collection industry and curbing abuses. Its measures would also strengthen protections for small business lending, safeguard military servicemembers from unfair debt collection, assist borrowers with student and medical debt, and prevent harassment and abuse. To mark the week of Mother’s Day, the House will also vote on Chairman Nadler’s Pregnant Workers Fairness Act from the Education and Labor Committee, which we passed in the 116th Congress, to protect expectant mothers from workplace discrimination.
During the week of May 17, the House will focus on rejecting hate, protecting our democratic institutions, and honoring those who have served our country in uniform. We will consider the Senate-passed COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, which addresses the horrific spate of hate-crimes targeting Asian-American communities since the start of the pandemic. That legislation is the companion to Rep. Meng’s bill and includes Rep. Beyer’s Jabara-Heyer NO HATE Act. The House will additionally take up a resolution introduced by Chairwoman Chu of the Congressional Asian Pacific Heritage Caucus condemning the shootings that occurred in Georgia on March 16.
Also that week, the House will act on bipartisan suspension bills promoting early-career STEM fellowships aimed at helping recent graduates from underrepresented communities, rural areas, and Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs) while working to address sexual harassment in the STEM workforce. The House will also consider suspensions from the Veterans Affairs Committee relating to Memorial Day to pay tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and meet our commitment to those who served. Finally, if it is ready, the House will consider a supplemental appropriation bill to address enhanced security needs for the Capitol complex and establish a commission to investigate the terrible events of January 6.
As the House continues to do its job and govern responsibly For the People, I hope that Senate Republicans will end their opposition to the very positive legislation we have passed that is broadly supported by large majorities of Americans. From economic empowerment to gun safety, from voting rights to workers’ rights, the legislation we have sent to the Senate would address critical and pressing challenges that should not be ignored or delayed. Americans want Congress to take action. Senate Republicans should stop blocking bipartisan progress and instead work with Democrats and the Biden-Harris Administration to deliver real results for the American people.
Thank you for continuing to demonstrate to Americans that they have a House they can be proud of, one that is fully engaged in advancing justice, equality, and opportunity for all. I look forward to working with you to carry that work forward in the next two weeks and beyond.
Sincerely,
STENY H. HOYER
House Majority Leader
When the House returns for the May work period, we will consider a number of bills that aim to align our nation’s policies with our highest principles of equality, justice, and opportunity for all. They build on the progress we made last month with the passage of legislation to promote equal pay for equal work, to extend full representation to those living in our nation’s capital, to protect health care and social services workers, and to ensure that those arriving on our shores are treated with dignity and due process. Throughout the 117th Congress, the House will continue to advance an agenda of helping more of our people Make It In America and making opportunities more equitable for all who work hard and contribute to our economy.
During the week of May 11, we will consider bipartisan legislation under suspension to address critical mental health needs in our communities, including by strengthening suicide-prevention efforts, authorizing grants for school-based mental health services, and addressing disparities in mental health care among underserved and high-poverty communities. We will also consider a package of bills under a rule from the Financial Services Committee, introduced by Chairwoman Waters and composed of legislation authored by Reps. Velazquez, Meeks, Cleaver, Dean, Pressley, Tlaib, and Auchincloss, aimed at reforming various aspects of the debt collection industry and curbing abuses. Its measures would also strengthen protections for small business lending, safeguard military servicemembers from unfair debt collection, assist borrowers with student and medical debt, and prevent harassment and abuse. To mark the week of Mother’s Day, the House will also vote on Chairman Nadler’s Pregnant Workers Fairness Act from the Education and Labor Committee, which we passed in the 116th Congress, to protect expectant mothers from workplace discrimination.
During the week of May 17, the House will focus on rejecting hate, protecting our democratic institutions, and honoring those who have served our country in uniform. We will consider the Senate-passed COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, which addresses the horrific spate of hate-crimes targeting Asian-American communities since the start of the pandemic. That legislation is the companion to Rep. Meng’s bill and includes Rep. Beyer’s Jabara-Heyer NO HATE Act. The House will additionally take up a resolution introduced by Chairwoman Chu of the Congressional Asian Pacific Heritage Caucus condemning the shootings that occurred in Georgia on March 16.
Also that week, the House will act on bipartisan suspension bills promoting early-career STEM fellowships aimed at helping recent graduates from underrepresented communities, rural areas, and Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs) while working to address sexual harassment in the STEM workforce. The House will also consider suspensions from the Veterans Affairs Committee relating to Memorial Day to pay tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and meet our commitment to those who served. Finally, if it is ready, the House will consider a supplemental appropriation bill to address enhanced security needs for the Capitol complex and establish a commission to investigate the terrible events of January 6.
As the House continues to do its job and govern responsibly For the People, I hope that Senate Republicans will end their opposition to the very positive legislation we have passed that is broadly supported by large majorities of Americans. From economic empowerment to gun safety, from voting rights to workers’ rights, the legislation we have sent to the Senate would address critical and pressing challenges that should not be ignored or delayed. Americans want Congress to take action. Senate Republicans should stop blocking bipartisan progress and instead work with Democrats and the Biden-Harris Administration to deliver real results for the American people.
Thank you for continuing to demonstrate to Americans that they have a House they can be proud of, one that is fully engaged in advancing justice, equality, and opportunity for all. I look forward to working with you to carry that work forward in the next two weeks and beyond.
Sincerely,
STENY H. HOYER
House Majority Leader