NEWS IN U.S. POLICY

The Tax Bill's Winners and Losers. As noted by The New York Times, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017—recently passed by Congress and signed into law—benefits some and hurts others. The people who might be most adversely affected include those buying health insurance, the elderly, and low-income families.

Future for Dreamers Still Uncertain. As noted by Reuters, Republicans and Democrats are getting closer to a deal on Dreamers—undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children—but as of this writing, no legislation has been signed.

White House Establishes New "Conscience and Religious Freedom Division" within HHS. As noted by the The Washington Post, women's and LGBT+ rights groups—and many health care provider associations—have expressed concern over the establishment of a new division within the Office of Civil Rights at the Department of Health and Human Services.

White House Takes Steps to Allow Work Requirements for Medicaid Recipients. Some of the most vulnerable people are now at risk of losing their health insurance. According to the Los Angeles Times, a group of Medicaid recipients is suing the federal government because new guidance from the White House allows states to impose work requirements on some enrollees. 

NEWS & OPPORTUNITIES IN INTERNATIONAL POLICY

2018 Scholars at Risk Network Global Congress: The University and the Future of Democracy. Join the Scholars at Risk Network April 23rd - 26th, 2018 in Berlin, Germany. Through a series of keynotes, panels, and workshops, attendees will explore the role of scholars in defending democratic values. 

Nepal Criminalizes Banishing Women to Menstruation Sheds. The practice was formally outlawed by the Nepalese government in 2005 but no penalties were put in place at that time. As reported by the BBC, efforts to end the practice increased after two women recently died while sleeping in sheds. Now, anyone who makes a woman observe the custom faces a three-month jail sentence and a $30 fine.

A Chinese #MeToo Movement? The New York Times recently reported on the burgeoning #MeToo movement in China, and efforts by government censors to hobble its progress. The Chinese #MeToo movement gained momentum after Luo Xixi, a graduate of Beihang University, published an essay online that said she was one of seven women harassed by a former professor, Chen Xiaowu. 

Top UNICEF Official: World is "Becoming Numb to the Killing of  Children." Nearly seven years into the conflict in Syria, children continue to be the hardest hit by unprecedented destruction, displacement, and death. In Afrin, where some of the worst fighting is now taking place, the majority of shops have closed and UNICEF-supported child protection services—including a child-friendly space and psychosocial support activities—have been suspended.

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OTHER EVENTS, OPPORTUNITIES, & RESOURCES

• Register Now for COSSA's Annual Science Policy Conference and Social Science Advocacy Day in Washington - 4/31 - 5/1, 2018

• Keep Kids Out of Courts, Says Daily Press Editorial

• Nominate a Scientist for the 2018 Golden Goose Award - Nominations Due 1/31/18

• Calling for Proposals: AAAS "Engaging Scientists" Campus Events - Applications Due 2/9/18

• The Atlantic: Only 4% of Americans Can Name a Living Scientist

• The Kansas City Star: Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program Benefits Us All

• From the COSSA Blog: Why Social Science? Because Social Science Fosters Robust and Trustworthy Knowledge

• From the Annie E. Casey Foundation Blog: Nation Shifts Away From Costly, Unnecessary Confinement

• From the CLASP Blog: The Momentum for Paid Sick Days is Growing

• From the COMPASS Blog: How To Craft A Great One-Pager

• ecoAmerica Releases Survey Results: January 2018 American Climate Perspectives Survey