Overview: While most of its members have yet to return to DC, the 118th Congress opened its second session on Wednesday. Next week, all members will enter negotiations again on the appropriations bills for FY2024. There are two deadlines looming: January 19 for funding the Departments of Agriculture, Energy, Transportation, and Veteran Affairs, and February 2 for all other departments.
Second Chance Act: The CCUSA Social Policy team submitted recommendations for the reauthorization of the Second Chance Act to the working group associated with the offices of Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV). The policy team's comments included better transition plans from imprisonment to employment, housing services, and youth-focused programs for all returning citizens. The team will continue collaborating with other advocacy organizations to support the introduction of a reauthorization bill.
Economy: In the week ending December 30, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial unemployment claims was 202,000, a decrease of 18,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 2,000 from 218,000 to 220,000. The 4-week moving average was 207,750, a decrease of 4,750 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 500 from 212,000 to 212,500. Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 216,000 in December, and the unemployment rate was unchanged at 3.7 percent.