On Monday, October 18, 2021, Senate Democrats put out a series of 12 appropriations bills that would fund the government through the rest of FY 2022 (September 30, 2022). The Labor-HHS-Education numbers are similar to the House numbers; however, any final Senate bills will have to have at least some agreement with Senate Republicans. The Senate bills will be re-shaped and then perhaps renegotiated again if they are to get support in the House of Representatives.
One of the roadblocks is that Senate Republicans want more money for the Defense Department. The Senate Democrats funding would provide a 5 percent increase but Republicans want more. In addition to that challenge, they have to negotiate a budget cap or ceiling which will also likely be less than what the House operated under when they acted on their appropriations. If they can’t agree (current funding expires on December 3, 2021) then the ugly result could be a year-long CR which would mean 2021 spending levels and very few increases.
Some areas of agreement or near agreement between the Senate bill and the House of Representatives Labor-HHS-Education bill this past summer: Within CAPTA, state grants receive $125 million (Senate the same)–$35 million above the FY 2021. The House increased the CB-CAP program to $90 million (Senate $85 million), $30 million more than FY 2021. Also included in both bills a new $100 million to address racial inequity within child welfare through competitive grants; a significant increase of $9 million for the Family First Act Clearinghouse (up from $2 million), $7 million in additional Regional Partnership Grants (RGPS) for substance abuse treatment, and $30 million for formula grants to states and tribal agencies to develop, enhance, or evaluate Kinship Navigator programs. For the House chart go here.
