Budget Policy

Babies in the Budget: New Report

On August 23, 2023, First Focus on Children and ZERO TO THREE released Babies in the Budget, a new report that examines federal investment in the nation’s youngest children across more than 120 programs. Their analysis finds that the federal government invests very little in babies and toddlers – the federal share of spending on

Congress Leaves for Recess

On Thursday, July 27, 2023, Congress wrapped up their work for the summer and left town for the August recess. Members will spend the next 6 weeks in their districts and will return to Washington, D.C. after Labor Day to resume business on the Hill. The Senate moved quickly to pass each of the twelve

CWLA Comments for the Record on TANF

CWLA has submitted Comments for the Record on the recent House Ways and Means Subcommittee hearing on the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program, “Where is all the Welfare Money Going? Reclaiming TANF Non-Assistance Dollars to Lift Americans Out of Poverty.” The TANF program provides funding in several ways to the child welfare system

Legislative Update: Appropriations and More

With just one week left until the August recess, Congress has continued to make progress on a number of their top priorities for this year. Both the House and Senate have moved funding bills through various subcommittees and the full Appropriations committees; the House Rules committee has announced consideration of two of the Appropriations bills

THUD Bill is Marked Up By Full House Appropriations Committee

On July 18, 2023, the House Appropriations Committee marked up the House Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD) Bill. During the markup, the Committee Republicans turned down proposed amendments by the Democrats, which sought to impose housing requirements, allocate funding to climate initiatives, prohibit regulations on commercial motor vehicle speed limiters, support

Senate Appropriations Committee Marks Up Bills

On July 20th, 2023, the Senate Appropriations Committee held a full committee markup of Fiscal Year 2023 on Energy and Water Development, State and Foreign Operations, and Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Acts to discuss and make any amendments to the bills. The Chair and Senator Murray gave an opening statement commending bipartisan efforts

Healthy Futures Briefing about WIC

On Thursday, July 20, there was a House briefing titled “Healthy Futures: WIC’s Role in Growing A Stronger Next Generation” that focused on the impact of Cash Value Benefits (CVB’s) to families. Panelists included Madeline Curtis of the American Academy of Pediatrics; Sarah Manasran, a mother receiving WIC benefits from New York; Terelle Johnson of

House and Senate Appropriations Bills Move Forward

Congress returned from the July 4th recess last week and moved quickly on a number of initiatives, as there are only three weeks until the August recess begins. The Appropriations process is a top priority for both House and Senate Leadership, because the deadline for passing the spending bills to fund the government is fast

Senate Finance Hearing on the Child Tax Credit

On July 13th, 2023, the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Taxation and IRS Oversight held a hearing to assess the last 25 years of the Child Tax Credit and discuss future implementation of the credit. The hearing began with an opening statement from the Chairman and Senator Bennet(D-CA) that called for the expansion of the Child

The Farm Bill and Children’s Health: Advocacy Needed

On July 13th, 2023, The Child and Student Nutrition Alliance Held a webinar to discuss the Farm Bill and its impact on children's health. Claire Borzner, Senior Professional Staff, and Khadija Jahfiya, Professional Staff, from the Senate Agriculture Committee explained the current state of the Farm Bill and ways to bolster children's voices in negotiations.

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