January to June 2013 Legislative Accomplishments

In February, the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) was re-authorized and sent to the President including an amendment reauthorizing the Trafficking Victims Protection Act. 

In March, Kentucky passed HB 3, The Human Trafficking Victims Rights Act which strengthens state law for fighting human trafficking and provides more services for victims. 

In March, Whole Foods took a huge step towards giving its customers the right to know what they are eating. By 2018, it will require any product containing GMOs sold in its stores to be labeled.

In March, the bipartisan Levin-Hatch Amendment 708 to the Budget Resolution was passed that that works on curbing corporate tax avoidance and stopping corporate offshore tax loopholes!

In April, delegates from 154 nations voted to adopt the first-ever international Arms Trade Treaty!  This treaty will help monitor and control the flow of arms and ammunition across borders.  Work continues on the adoption of this treaty by each nation. 

In May, the Senate Judiciary passed S. 744, immigration legislation out of committee.  It is now expected to go to the Senate floor in mid-June.

In June, Connecticut is the first in the nation to pass a strong GMO labeling bill that will require genetically engineered foods to be labeled. 

In June, the House defeated the Farm Bill that would have cut over $20 billion to SNAP (formerly food stamps), $2.5 billion in cuts to food aid, and policy changes that would have substantially increased hunger for years to come.

In June, the Louisville Metro Council passed a FY 2013-2014 budget that included $1 million in funds for the Louisville Affordable Housing Trust Fund that will begin to address housing needs of working families. 

In June, the U.S. Senate passed immigration legislation by a vote of 68-32 that includes a path to citizenship as well as further border security.