CHN just released our latest edition of the Human Needs Report, our regular newsletter on national policy issues affecting low-income and vulnerable populations. This edition includes articles on the omnibus spending package, low-income tax credits, the Affordable Care Act and other items Congress did – and didn’t do – before heading home for the holiday recess. See below for the full analysis and links to each section of the report.
Click here for the full PDF Human Needs Report: http://www.chn.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/December-21-2015.pdf

FY16 Omnibus Appropriations Bill Signed Into Law; Important Gains for Low-Income People Included, but Areas of Concern Remain
Congress wrapped up the FY16 appropriations season on Friday when the Senate passed (65-33) massive legislation that combined the FY16 omnibus spending bill passed by the House (316-113) earlier that day and a large tax cut package the House passed on Thursday. READ MORE »

Improvements to Working Family Tax Credits Made Permanent in Tax Cut Package
In a huge win for advocates, key provisions of tax credits for low-income working families were made permanent in a tax package that passed the House on Thursday and the Senate on Friday. READ MORE »

Senate Passes Repeal of Affordable Care Act; President Vows to Veto Measure
While the House has voted dozens of times to repeal all or part of the ACA, this is the first time a bill to do so cleared the Senate. The bill would repeal the law’s penalties for individuals who don’t obtain health coverage and for employers who don’t offer it. READ MORE »

Other Items Congress Did – and Didn’t Do – Before Heading Home
Before heading home for its holiday recess, Congress took care of a few other pieces of business. Unfortunately, they also left others to be dealt with next year. READ MORE »

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PS –

Be sure sure to join us December 22, 2015, from 4pm-5pm ET, for a special webinar with authors Kathryn Edin and Luke Shaefer, whose book $2 a Day – Living on Almost Nothing in America describes in depth the lives of families living in extreme poverty in America. They will be joined by a panel of experts: people who have lived in such deep poverty. At a time when some are intent on feeding divisiveness and hatred, please join us in this call to conscience. Register and learn more here.

PPS – In the coming year, political figures will make claims about what can help people in poverty. Your support will help us get the facts out about what works – what doesn’t – and help more advocates to join in a powerful choir of voices for economic security and justice. Details on donating to CHN can be found here. Thank you for considering a contribution to the Coalition on Human Needs – please help us to do this important work together.