Thursday, December 23, 2010 Friends - As we close 2010, I wanted to take a few moments to look back at the last 12 months of what we have accomplished – we began a robust implementation of health insurance reform; we ended combat operations in Iraq; we passed a landmark Wall Street Reform bill that will hold Wall Street accoundtable and protect consumers; we repealed the discriminatory... 

NASW has long urged Congress to repeal the military’s Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy, as we’ve noted in previous blog updates.  We are pleased to note that Congress passed a bill to end the 17-year old policy on Saturday, December 18.  NASW greatly appreciates everything our members did to support these efforts, such as responding to an action alert we sent out in the spring.  Read More →

On December 15, 2010 President Barack Obama signed a bill naming the post office located at 2 Massachusetts Avenue in Washington, DC in honor of the late Dr. Dorothy Irene Height, who was a social work pioneer and civil rights icon. She died earlier this year. The signature legislation of the social work profession, the Dorothy I. Height and Whitney M. Young, Jr. Social Work Reinvestment Act was named for Dr. Height.... 

House Majority Leader Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-PA) have introduced a bill seeking to end the military’s Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT) policy.  The bill’s language is similar to the DADT repeal that was stripped out of the National Defense Authorization Act earlier this year.  A vote is expected to occur on Wednesday, and we will update the blog accordingly.  Read More →

Due to the holidays and the anticipated adjournment of Congress, News from the Hill will publish only one edition in December. Congress Approves CAPTA Reauthorization Bill The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) Reauthorization Act of 2010, S. 3817, passed the final legislative hurdle on December 10 when the Senate, by unanimous consent, agreed to the few minor amendments made in the bill passed by the House... 

THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 8, 2010 Statement by the President on the House Voting to Approve the DREAM Act I congratulate the House of Representatives, Speaker Pelosi, Congressman Berman, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and other congressional leaders for taking the historic step of passing the DREAM Act today with a bipartisan vote. This vote is not only the right... 

The White House Office of the Press Secretary For Immediate Release December 07, 2010 Fact Sheet on the Framework Agreement on Middle Class Tax Cuts and Unemployment Insurance The framework agreement announced by the President secures vital tax relief and investments in our workers that will create jobs and accelerate economic growth. The plan has three key accomplishments: Working families will not lose their tax... 

Update from the White House Office of Public Engagement WEST WING UPDATE Dear Friends, It’s been an incredibly busy week as we continue to work with our allies in Congress and across the country to try to get the DREAM Act across the finish line. Here is a quick update. It looks like the House and Senate could take up the DREAM Act as early as this week. From the White House and Obama Administration we continue to... 

NASW is pleased to report that Congressman Edolphus Towns (D-NY) held a congressional briefing on the Dorothy I. Height and Whitney M. Young, Jr. Social Work Reinvestment Act (H.R.795/S. 686) on Wednesday, November 17, 2010. Speakers and their remarks can be found below. Congressional Briefing Dorothy I. Height and Whitney M. Young, Jr. Social Work Reinvestment Act Oversight and Government Reform Committee Room Wednesday,... 

WASHINGTON DC—The National Association of Social Workers (NASW), today called on congressional Democrats to elect current House Speaker Nancy Pelosi as Minority Leader in the new Congress set to begin this coming January. NASW is a long-time advocate of legislative goals championed by the Speaker, including strengthening human needs programs, supporting social justice legislation, and expanding women’s equality. NASW...