Senate passes bills to improve child health, fathers of veterans

The Senate passed a bill Wednesday to extend health service programs for children.

Through a unanimous consent agreement, the Senate passed the Emergency Medical Services for Children Reauthorization Act, S. 2154, introduced by Bob Casey (D-Pa.).

{mosads}The Senate also passed S. 2323, the Gold Star Fathers Act, which gives fathers of veterans with disabilities preference for federal employment purposes. Mothers already receive such preferential treatment. The bill from Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) extends that to fathers as well.

Both measures now head to the House for further action.

The Senate also passed H.R. 1233, the Presidential and Federal Records Act Amendments so that the Archivist of the United States makes presidential records public quicker. 

The bill from Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) passed in the House on a 420-0 vote on January. But since the Senate made minor changes to the bill, it will be sent back to the House.