Budget

Children’s Bureau Family First Call This Week

When the Children’s Bureau released their first guidance on services provided through the Family First Act, they also announced two call to provided further information. Those calls will be on Monday, December 17, 2018 from 2:30 – 4:00 PM ET or Tuesday, December 18, 2018 from 12:00-1:30 PM ET. Call-in Information: is: 888-391-9602 with the

Agriculture Bill is Reauthorized

  As part of the year-end clean up, Congress approved an Agriculture Reauthorization. The bill was unveiled Monday night and then quickly approved by the Senate by a vote of 87-13, an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote by senators. The bill was largely a victory for Senate Republican and Democratic leaders over their House counterparts. Senators on

Budget Extended To December 21

The memorials to President George H.W. Bush forced Congress to push off any discussion of the budget last week. As a result a short term continuing resolution (CR) was quickly agreed to and passed by Thursday. The extension now means that funding will run out shortly before the Christmas break. The memorial services also meant

Budget Finish Still Uncertain

With only 4 days until funding runs out on 25 percent of the federal budget, it is still unclear how the story of the FY 2019 ends. It appears likely there will be a short-term extension this week but that is because of the funeral and ceremonies in honor of former President George H.W. Bush.

Leaders Selected in Senate With House Partially Undecided

Congress returned last week mainly to start orientation for new members. Beyond that the Senate remained largely the same with Senator McConnell (R-KY) and Schumer (D-NY) staying in place. Senator Grassley, at the end of the week said he will give up the Judiciary chairmanship in exchange for the Senate Finance Committee chairmanship. The House

Congress Returns for 2018 Clean-Up and Look to 2019

The 115th Congress returns on Tuesday, November 13 to attempt to finish up their FY 2018 business and start to plan for a new majority in the House and a bigger one in the Senate. By December 7, funding will run out for a handful of departments including Homeland Security and the Justice Department. It

The Budget, the Wall and What Else

It is unclear how much the lame-duck Congress will accomplish in the last legislative days of the 115th Congress. Funding does run out for Homeland Security and the Justice Department and there will need to be some extension. There are hopes that funding will be completed through the end of the fiscal year on September

Low Wage Workers and the Role of Anti-Poverty Programs

Shaquita Ogleetree On October 15, the Hamilton Project, the Brookings Institution and the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities co-hosted a forum to explore work requirements and the role of anti-poverty programs. The Hamilton Project released its economic analysis report on how work requirements in Medicaid and SNAP affect the goals of a social safety

Senate Clean-Up As House Exits

In between the fight over the Supreme Court, the Senate passed a few bills that the House had sent over before they exited Washington the week before. The House has adjourned until November 13, 2018. The Senate may remain around as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) calculates both the political advantage of keeping senators

Budget Summit on Children

Shaquita Ogletree On Thursday, October 4, First Focus hosted their annual event, Children’s Budget Summit to discuss the findings in the Children’s Budget 2018 report. The report captures and analyzes historical funding data and spending trends across a wide range of policy areas including child welfare, early childhood, education, health, housing, income support, nutrition, safety

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