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Our Turn at Bat
As Congress moves forward with the annual appropriations process we are coming to a crucial time for the CAP Network. Next week, lawmakers are expected to pass a Continuing Resolution (CR) that will keep the government funded through November 18. To ensure that federal spending is in line with the $1.043 trillion discretionary spending cap set in the debt limit law, the CR will also contain a 1.5 percent across the board cut. Congress intends to have completed the FY2012 annual appropriations process by the mid-November deadline so they can work on long-term deficit reduction proposals due from the "Super Committee" by the end of November.
On Tuesday, September 20th, the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee for Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies (Labor H) will consider the bill which allocates funding for FY2012 for programs critical to Community Action like CSBG, Head Start, LIHEAP and Workforce Investment Act programs. The House consideration of this legislation is still delayed indefinitely, but I am confident that the ultimate funding levels for these programs will reflect our work all year on building a bipartisan coalition for Community Action. This is especially positive, as the "Super Committee" is a proverbial ticking time bomb on the cuts that might be imposed to Community Action programs.
Eventually, our strategy of utilizing our support in Congress is going to come into play. If we have a good experience with Labor H on Tuesday, which is chaired by Senator Tom Harkin, there will be a number of Members of Congress that we need to thank. We will keep you posted going forward.
David Bradley
Executive Director
National Community Action Foundation
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