This Week in Social Issues — Washington (#10, 2026)

Congressional hearings focus on veterans affairs and child welfare; multiple bills advance maternal health, disability rights, and labor issues.

This Week in Social Issues — Washington (#10, 2026)

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. Also consider subscribing to our Social Issues - Ottawa edition covering critical GR news north of the border.

Dates: 2026-03-15 to 2026-03-21

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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


This Week's Congressional Calendar

  • House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Hearing: The House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations is scheduled to review several bills and discussion drafts addressing software assets, data management, fiscal modernization, parental leave, professional certification for sterile technicians, and law enforcement positions in the Department of Veterans Affairs. The hearing is set for March 25 at 18:15 ET in Room 360 of the Cannon House Office Building.
  • House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health Hearing: The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health will conduct a hearing on 'Policies to Protect Our Communities From Illicit Drug Threats' on March 26 at 18:00 ET in Room 2123 of the Rayburn House Office Building.
  • House Appropriations Subcommittee Hearing on Adoption Programs: The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies will hold a hearing about leveraging federal funding for adoption programs, with testimony from adoption institute executives and child welfare experts. The session takes place March 26 at 14:30 ET, Room 2358-C, Rayburn House Office Building.
  • House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Markup Session: On March 26 at 17:15 ET in Room 360, Cannon House Office Building, the Subcommittee will mark up bills including the Love Lives on Act, National Cemetery Administration Report Act, and several measures related to veterans' benefits, disability exams, and burial allowances.

Legislative Updates

Stand Strong Falls Prevention Act (S.2833)

The Stand Strong Falls Prevention Act was considered by the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Hearings were held on March 19 to address fall prevention issues, with implications for senior welfare policies.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Supporting Our Seniors Act (S.2762)

Hearings for the Supporting Our Seniors Act were conducted by the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions March 19. The bill covers social welfare supports for senior populations.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Family Caregiving Research and Innovation Act (S.3232)

The Family Caregiving Research and Innovation Act underwent committee hearings on March 19. The legislation is aimed at advancing research and innovation in caregiving, with focus on families.

Sources: www.congress.gov

A bill to provide for an international disability rights strategy (H.R.7990)

On March 18, the House Committee on Foreign Affairs received the bill to establish an international disability rights strategy.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Child Care Workforce Act (S.846)

The Child Care Workforce Act was reviewed in committee hearings on March 19. The Senate is considering provisions to address workforce stability in childcare services.

Sources: www.congress.gov
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What We're Reading This Week

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