Women Leaders Elected and Newly Elected; Passed: The PREEMIE Reauthorization Act (S. 1440)
Senate Passes Bill to Reduce Preterm Delivery
On November 15, the Senate passed the Prematurity Research Expansion and Education for Mothers who deliver Infants Early Reauthorization Act, also known as the PREEMIE Reauthorization Act (S. 1440).
Senate Passes Bill to Reduce Preterm Delivery
On November 15, the Senate passed, by voice vote, the Prematurity Research Expansion and Education for Mothers who deliver Infants Early Reauthorization Act, also known as the PREEMIE Reauthorization Act (S. 1440). The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee approved the legislation on September 19 (see The Source, 9/21/12).
Sponsored by Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN), the bill would reauthorize the PREEMIE Act (P.L. 109-450) through FY2017; the law expired in 2011. Under the measure, the secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) would be required, acting through the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to conduct epidemiological studies on the factors relating to preterm birth and to improve national data to track the burden of preterm birth; $5 million would be authorized annually through FY2017 for such activities.
The legislation also would authorize $5 million annually through FY2017 to reauthorize and expand demonstration projects established by the PREEMIE Act in order to facilitate public and health care provider education and improve outcomes for preterm babies.
The bill would allow the secretary of HHS to establish the Advisory Committee on Infant Mortality, which would provide advice and recommendations to the secretary on strategies and efforts to reduce infant mortality and improve the health status of pregnant women and infants. It also would require HHS to conduct a study on hospital readmissions of preterm infants and to submit a report to Congress on the findings and recommendations resulting from the study.
During consideration of the measure, the Senate adopted, by voice vote, a substitute amendment by Sen. Alexander to strike provisions that would allow the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to expand and coordinate research efforts to reduce preterm birth.
Women to Fill Key Leadership Positions in 113th Congress
Last week, several women were reelected or newly elected to leadership positions in the upcoming 113th Congress.
In the House, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) was elected chair of the Republican Conference, following her tenure as vice-chair during the 112th Congress. The position of vice-chair will continue to be held by a woman, as Rep. Lynn Jenkins (R-KS) defeated Rep. Martha Roby (R-AL) for the position. Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) will serve as secretary of the Conference.
The House Democratic Caucus is scheduled to hold its leadership elections the week of November 29. Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) is expected to be reelected as Democratic Leader.
On the Senate side, Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) was reelected to the position of Democratic Conference secretary. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) will remain vice-chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee.
Also this week, the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) elected Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-OH) to serve as chair. Reps. Yvette Clarke (D-NY) and Karen Bass (D-CA) were elected to serve as second vice-chair and whip, respectively.
Rep. Linda Sánchez (D-CA) was elected second vice-chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, while incoming freshman Rep.-elect Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-NM) will serve as whip during the 113th Congress.
Neither the Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues nor the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus have held leadership elections for the upcoming Congress.
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