This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions, political announcements and other government-related news concerning social advocacy issues. Once a week, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

Want to see GR activities in areas related to Social Issues? Don’t miss this week’s updates in Arts & Culture and Indigenous Affairs.

Dates: 2026-01-05 to 2026-01-16

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🏛️ This Week's Congressional Calendar
• 📜 Legislative Updates
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

This Week's Congressional Calendar

• Strengthening the Child Support Enforcement Program: Status, Challenges, and Opportunities for Modernization: The House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Work and Welfare will convene a hearing on January 21 to review the current status, modernization challenges, and opportunities for the federal Child Support Enforcement Program.
• Legislative Hearing: Veteran Housing and Mental Health Initiatives: On January 21, the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity will examine bills and discussion drafts on veteran suicide prevention, mental health care coordination, housing benefits, and homeless veteran support. Witnesses include Julie Howell (Paralyzed Veterans of America), Kenneth Smith and Chantile Stovall (Veterans Benefits Administration), Jeremiah Workman (Department of Labor), Kathryn Monet (National Coalition of Homeless Veterans), and others.
• Lowering Health Care Costs for All Americans: An Examination of Health Insurance Affordability: The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health schedules a meeting for January 22 to discuss health insurance affordability measures aimed at reducing costs for Americans.
• Markup: Charter Schools and School Facilities: House Education and Workforce Committee will conduct a markup session January 21 on H.R. 7082 (FLEX Act), H.R. 7086 (Equitable Access to School Facilities Act), and H.R. 4624 (Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act).
• Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families & Pregnant Students’ Rights Act: The House Rules Committee will meet January 20 to consider H.R. 6945 and H.R. 6359 focused on supporting pregnant individuals, parental rights, and related issues.
• Oversight Hearing: Housing Affordability: On January 22, the House Oversight and Accountability Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Energy Policy, and Regulatory Affairs holds a hearing on housing affordability. Witnesses include Edward Pinto (AEI Housing Center), Buddy Hughes (National Association of Home Builders), and Patrice Onwuka (Independent Women).

Legislative Updates

Clergy Act

Bill 227, known as the Clergy Act, was placed on the House Union Calendar No. 370. The legislation pertains to social welfare policies and advances on the House calendar, pending further legislative action.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Lady Liberty Act of 2025

Bill 670, Lady Liberty Act of 2025, deals with immigration policy. On January 8, Representative Walkinshaw was recognized as the first sponsor, superseding Representative Connolly, enabling expanded cosponsorship and reprinting for legislative consideration.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act of 2025

Bill 909, Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act of 2025, was received in the Senate, read twice, and referred to the Judiciary Committee. The measure focuses on crime victim compensation and administrative support for related programs.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Crow Revenue Act

Bill 725, the Crow Revenue Act, is listed on House Union Calendar No. 375 as of January 12. The legislation involves Native American interests and revenue provisions, with action pending in the House.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Miccosukee Reserved Area Amendments Act

Bill 504, the Miccosukee Reserved Area Amendments Act, addresses Native American reserved area amendments. The House Chair directed the Clerk to inform the Senate of the House’s action, signifying inter-chamber consideration.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Opinion | We Need Welfare Solutions, Not More Money: Debate emerges over welfare program structure and funding levels in the national press.
• Opinion | The Supreme Court and Minnesota’s Welfare Fraud: Legal scrutiny of welfare funding and fraud cases in Minnesota before the Supreme Court.
• Opinion | The Supreme Court and Girls’ Sports: Questions arise around Supreme Court reviews related to girls’ athletic participation.

.