A deal within reach, President Joe Biden and Congress’ top Democrats edged close to sealing their giant domestic legislation, though the informal deadline appeared to slip as they worked to scale back the measure and determine how to pay for it.
Negotiations between the White House and Democratic leaders on Capitol Hill are underway on what’s now a scaled-back package.
The Department of Health did not explain why it abandoned a plan to change who administers a nutrition program for pregnant people and young children.
The Human Services Emergency Logistic Program (HELP) Act of 2021 would increase access to social services and mental health resources in hopes of reducing police interactions with people with disabilities, those experiencing mental health crises, and more.
Enrollment in the program rose by more than 388,000 people, or 13.7%, including in counties that, historically, have been wealthier than some of their counterparts.