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House Action Eliminates Social Services Block Grant

Submitted by Cecilia Fiermonte on 30 Apr 2012

Looking for ways to cut spending, the House Committee on Ways and Means, through the budget reconciliation process, eliminated the Social Services Block Grant (SSBG). SSBG has survived many threats over the years, including  last year’s House Budget Resolution.

According to ACF (Administration for Children and Families), some of the services for both children and adults funded by SSBG include: day care, protective services, case management, transportation, foster care, substance abuse and housing. It has been estimated that 12% of federal child welfare funds come from SSBG. … more

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Republican 2013 Budget

Submitted by Cecilia Fiermonte on 26 Mar 2012

House Republicans introduced their 2013 budget, which purports to cut $ 5.3 trillion over the next decade, with proposed cuts going beyond those agreed upon in last year’s Budget Control Act. The Republican blueprint, passed by the House Budget Committee, aims to lower taxes and “repair the safety net.” House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.), in a video released last week, said it would be immoral to do nothing in the face of this current debt crisis. The GOP budget would cut domestic programs while protecting defense spending. … more

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The 2013 Federal Budget

Submitted by Cecilia Fiermonte on 15 Feb 2012

Earlier this week President Barack Obama released his 2013 budget. Though spending decisions may be dominated by the The Budget Control Act of 2011, the federal budget works as a vehicle to promote spending priorities.

Generally, the President’s budget either increases or maintains 2012 funding for children’s programs.

Funding Increases

The 2013 budget increases funding for the following programs: … more

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How Children Fared Under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2012

Submitted by Cecilia Fiermonte on 11 Jan 2012

A chart prepared by the American Humane Association compares fiscal year 2011 with fiscal year 2012 appropriations and shows priorities of the Obama aAdministration, U.S. House, and U.S. Senate. Overall, spending was maintained for vital children’s programs.

It should be noted that Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) was only temporarily reauthorized during the recent battle over payroll tax cuts, so funds could be at risk again in February.

Supplemental TANF grants to states are also at risk and could cost the recipient states an estimated total $1.5 billion.

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Supercommittee 'On Brink of Collapse' as Deadline Nears

Submitted by Cecilia Fiermonte on 18 Nov 2011

The front page of Politico newspaper today featured a gloomy headline: Super Committee on the Brink of Collapse. According to the article, House Speaker John Boehner says the committee has a “long way to go,” and they’d have to “pull a rabbit out of a hat.”

The Supercomittee is charged with producing recommendations for $1.2 trillion in deficit reduction. The vote is scheduled for Nov. 23. … more

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