July 12, 2026 to July 18, 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.

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

This Week's Congressional Calendar

• House Education and Workforce Committee Markup – bills on Title IX, union power, rural healthcare, and workforce standards: The House Education and Workforce Committee will conduct a markup on July 21 at 2:15pm, considering legislation including the Title IX Clarification Act, Ending Predator Access to Union Power Act, and Heat Workforce Standards Act.
• Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee Business Meeting – hospital price transparency, insulin pricing, and workforce development: On July 22 at 2:00pm, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee will meet to review bills covering hospital and insurer price transparency, provisions for insulin pricing, and nursing workforce development.

Legislative Updates

Securing Healthcare and Income Entitlements for Lawfully Domiciled Citizens (SHIELD Citizens) Act

Bill 9667, the SHIELD Citizens Act, has been referred to multiple House committees including Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce, Financial Services, Education and Workforce, and Agriculture. The proposed legislation addresses healthcare and income entitlements for legally domiciled U.S. citizens.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Background Checks Expansion Under the National Child Protection Act

Bill 3100 aims to amend the National Child Protection Act of 1993, allowing businesses and organizations working with vulnerable populations to request background checks for contractors, as well as for licensed or certified care providers. It was ordered to be reported (amended) by the House with a vote of 23-0.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Equity in Advanced Coursework in Schools

Bill 4988 proposes measures to promote equity in advanced coursework and programs at elementary and secondary schools. The bill was introduced in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Medicaid Coverage for Doulas, Midwives, and Lactation Support

Bill 9712 would amend title XIX of the Social Security Act, extending Medicaid coverage to services provided by doulas, midwives, and lactation support providers. The measure has been referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Workplace Accommodation for Menopause Symptoms

Bill 9671 seeks to expand access for workers experiencing menopause-related symptoms to reasonable workplace accommodations. The bill was referred to multiple House committees including Education and Workforce, House Administration, Oversight and Government Reform, and the Judiciary.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• I’ve spent years studying economic data. These Americans taught me what ‘affordability’ really means: Examines how inflation and housing costs have shaped perceptions of affordable living for U.S. families.
• Fraud investigations are crumbling this state’s Medicaid system: Details the effects of fraud probes on the stability of Minnesota's Medicaid program.
• UK plans to spend £250 million over three years to protect Jewish communities: Covers the UK government's new funding plan to enhance security for Jewish organizations and institutions.
• Opinion | Are We Still Supposed to Take This Conservative Legal Theory Seriously?: Analyzes debate on Supreme Court jurisprudence regarding firearms in the U.S.
• Opinion | A Vision of a ‘Society Without Capitalism’: Considers alternative societal models focusing on social equity, published in the New York Times.
• Video: Opinion | A Vision of a ‘Society Without Capitalism’: Features video commentary about social justice in economic systems.

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