(Washington, D.C., Thursday, December 2, 2021) – As we wind down 2021 in both a political and literal sense, it is important to reflect on what was accomplished. No Congress will ever solve all of the world’s problems – let alone domestic ones – but neither is it completely lacking success either.

The Friends Committee on National Legislation reflects on what Congress has done in the last year. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Passage of the American Rescue Plan, which made temporary, but historic expansions to the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit, which could dramatically reduce child poverty this year;
• Passage of the Infrastructure bill, which included $11 billion for infrastructure needs in Indian Country, representing the largest investment tribal nations have seen in American history;
• The House also passed the Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act (FVPSA), the primary federal grant program dedicated to supporting victims of sexual and domestic violence. The bill is especially significant for tribal communities, which experience domestic and sexual violence at some of the highest rates nationwide; and
• The U.S. and Russia extended the 2010 New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) for five years, reducing both countries’ deployment of nuclear weapons beginning a new Strategic Stability Dialogue.

The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) is hoping Congress passes the Build Back Better Act before the end of the year, which includes historic investments for universal pre-k, in child care, housing assistance, and over half a trillion dollars towards clean energy and addressing the climate crisis—the largest financial commitment this country has ever made. FCNL is hopeful the final version includes protections for immigrants, particularly young Dreamers.

The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) lobbies Congress and the administration to advance peace, justice, opportunity, and environmental stewardship. Founded in 1943 by members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), FCNL fields an expert team of lobbyists on Capitol Hill and works with a grassroots network of thousands of people to advocate for peace and justice. FCNL is a nonpartisan organization with a long and trusted record of working across political divides to achieve positive change.