Congress and the President couldn’t manage to pass a spending bill to keep the government open, after back and forth over the border wall, but they did manage to get some major bills passed and signed by Trump.
Here’s a look at three bills passed before the shutdown that could have a major impact.
H.B. 318
President Donald Trump signed H.B. 318, a bill focused on reducing the rising maternal mortality rates in the U.S.
The bill was prompted by the death of Charles Johnson’s wife, Kira, who died 12 hours after she gave birth to the couple’s second son. H.B. 318 authorizes $60 million over the next five years to prevent maternal mortality in America. The money will fund maternal health review committees in all 50 states, enabling them to collect data on what is killing women during or after childbirth.
FULL COVERAGE: Mother's Matter: An investigation into why mothers are dying
First Step Act
The president also signed The First Step Act, which seeks to reduce recidivism.
The act allows employees to store their firearms at federal prisons, restrict the use of restraints on pregnant women, expands compassionate release for terminally ill patients, place prisoners closer to family in some case, improves feminine hygiene in prisons, and mandate de-escalation training for correctional officers and employees.
Farm Bill
Trump also signed a farm bill into law, which protects crop insurance programs, offers fund to producers who rely on government support in times of disasters, doubles money provided for loads to farmers.
The $867 billion farm bills also rejected deep cuts to the federal food stamp programs. The bill also de-scheduled some cannabis products from the controlled substances act for the first time.