Weekly Update-11/17/2025
Capitol Advocacy Partners Weekly Update 11/17/2025
President and Administration:
The Trump administration plans a major shift away from long-term housing for homelessness: The administration is shifting federal homelessness policy, cutting funding for long-term housing and directing more resources to transitional programs that require work or addiction treatment. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) says this approach aims to promote self-sufficiency…
Supreme Court denies request to revisit same-sex marriage decision: The Supreme Court declined a request from former Kentucky Clerk Kim Davis to revisit its 2015 decision that legalized same-sex marriage. Davis had asked the court to overturn the ruling and reverse an order requiring her to pay more than $300,000 to a couple she denied a marriage license. The justices offered no comment…
Congress:
Appropriations: It is expected that next week that the Senate will see floor action on four FY’26 appropriations:
Defense (S2572);
Labor-HHS-Education(S2587);
Commerce-Justice-Science (S2354); and
Transportation-HUD (S2465).
Senators distance themselves from controversial payout provision: Senate Republicans are distancing themselves from a controversial provision in the government funding package that would allow lawmakers to sue the federal government for at least $500,000 if their electronic records were seized without notice during the investigation into the 2020 election. While eight Republican senators were reportedly subpoenaed, only Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) has publicly committed to using the provision, saying he intends to pursue legal remedies. The provision has drawn criticism from Democrats…
Democratic Rep. Grijalva (D-AZ) sworn in after seven weeks, becomes key signature on Epstein files petition: Rep. Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ) was sworn into the House after a seven-week delay, just ahead of a vote to reopen the government. Immediately after taking the oath, she signed the discharge petition to force a vote requiring the Department of Justice to release the full Jeffrey Epstein files, pushing the petition over the 218-signature threshold. Grijalva used her first floor remarks to call…
GOP plans to replace Obamacare have failed. Here’s what lawmakers propose now: Republicans are racing to craft a health care plan as enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies are set to expire next month, a change that could sharply increase premiums for tens of millions of Americans. The White House is advancing a proposal to redirect billions in ACA payments from insurers to individuals’…
California:
Schiff in the crosshairs: Trump’s escalating legal campaign against political adversaries may soon reach the Senate, according to new reporting. After securing indictments of former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, Trump is now focused on Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA)…
Education:
McMahon: The shutdown proved just how little the Department of Education will be missed: Education Secretary McMahon argued that the 43-day government shutdown demonstrated how unnecessary the federal education bureaucracy is, noting that schools operated normally while the agency was closed. She said the Department of Education largely functions as a pass-through…
Ed. Dept. layoffs are reversed, but staff fear things won’t return to normal: Hundreds of U.S. Department of Education employees will return to work after Trump signed a bill ending the record 43-day government shutdown and reversing October layoffs. The measure funds the government through Jan. 30 and blocks further cuts, reinstating 465 Education…
Supreme Court sets argument date for transgender sports cases: The Supreme Court will hear arguments on January 13 on whether states can bar transgender athletes from competing on sports teams that align with their gender identity. The consolidated cases challenge laws in Idaho and West Virginia that restrict transgender girls from playing on girls’ teams, citing biological…
Trump grant cancellations can face challenges in two courts, judge rules: A federal judge in Massachusetts ruled that Democratic-led states challenging the administration’s cancellation of more than $250 million in federal teacher training grants can proceed in district court. U.S. District Judge Angel Kelley said the states’ constitutional and statutory claims belong in district court…
Data from 3.3 million school texts highlights keys to tackling chronic absenteeism: A new report analyzing 3.3 million school text messages across 15 states found that timely, clear, and personal communication can help reduce chronic absenteeism. The study by SchoolStatus…