Budget Policy

Thirty Years Of The FMLA: Webinar

On June 28th, 2023, the Institute for Research on Poverty at the University of Wisconsin- Madison held a webinar, "Thirty Years of the FMLA: What’s Worked, What Hasn’t, and Recommendations for More Equitable Policies," to discuss the advantages and drawbacks of the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and ways to improve equity and

Appropriations Bills Move Forward

Both the House and Senate Appropriations Committees are moving forward in the Appropriations process, releasing text and holding mark-ups for several of the Appropriations bills over the past couple of weeks, including the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies bill, which is covered below. Leaders of both Committees have made a

Agriculture Appropriations Bills Pass out of Committees

Both the House and Senate have started the process of considering Appropriations Bills, including the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Bill. This bill includes nutrition programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Woman, Infants, and Children (WIC). On June 14th, the full House

Resolution to Fully Address Child Poverty

Representative Barbara Lee (D-CA) introduced a Resolution to Fully Address Child Poverty on June 23, 2023. The Resolution, which has 19 Democratic co-sponsors calls on Congress to address child poverty, recognizing that the United States continues to have a significantly higher rate of child poverty compared to other wealthy nations because we fail to sufficiently

House Marks Up Tax Package

On Tuesday, June 13th, 2023, the House Ways and Means Committee held a markup for a series of tax bills, including the Tax Cuts for Working Families Act. The package was eventually passed favorably out of committee by the Republican Majority. The bill would make several tax cuts and would increase the standard deduction; Republicans

Invest in Kids With the Mamas’, Baby, and Dads Caucuses

On June 15, 2023, First Focus on Children hosted a webinar “Invest in Kids Briefing” as part of their Children’s Week 2023. This event brought members of Congress and experts together to discuss how the Federal Government can work to meet the needs of children and families through increased funding. Representative Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) emphasized

Briefing: Investing in Baby Bonds

On June 13, 2023, Prosperity Now held an event for Children’s Week to address unequal wealth distribution and build financial security opportunities for future generations. The Director of Policy explained that baby bonds are one of many solutions to create opportunities for those who face the brunt of the wealth gap. The Vice President of

House Ed and Workforce Committee Questions Secretary Becerra

On June 13, 2023, the House Committee on Education and the Workforce held a hearing titled “Examining the Policies and Priorities of the Department of Health and Human Services.” Committee members asked Secretary Becerra of the Department of Health and Human Services questions about children’s health-related to gender-affirming care and unaccompanied children at the border.

Webinar: Keep Up the Fight to Improve the Tax Code for Kids

On June 16, 2023, First Focus on Child held a webinar, “Keep Up the Fight to Improve the Tax Code for Kids,” to discuss the importance of restoring the improvements of the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit. Senator Brown (D-OH) explains the importance of the Child Tax Credit in his career and

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