NAEYC CHILDREN’S CHAMPIONS ALERT
MARCH 13, 2013
Call Your U.S. Senators Today and Tomorrow Morning
on Key Funding Amendment
There’s a lot swirling around relating to the federal budget this week, and one amendment that needs your focused attention and action. We have an opportunity to lessen the sequestration cuts with an amendment by Senator Harkin. We need you, your friends and colleagues to call or email today and tomorrow morning. See a suggested message and how to contact your 2 senators below!
Background
As you know, the funding for the current year was extended to March 27—and an agreement is needed to continue funding for Head Start, child care, education and many other programs by midnight March 27 or there is a government shutdown.
This week, the Senate is working on continuing funding through the remainder of the fiscal year. (The House already voted so all your calls and emails should be to the Senate.)
For some agencies, the Senate will pass full appropriations bills instead of Continuing Resolutions. But for the Labor/Human Services/Education agencies, they have a Continuing Resolution which does have some good news: $50 million increase for child care and $33 million increase for Head Start, which would lessen the blow of the sequestration cuts. Not every program is getting an adjustment, so we are very lucky and thankful.
Senator Harkin’s amendment, however, would create an appropriation bill instead of a Continuing Resolution with an increase for child care of $107 million and an increase of $39 million for Head Start, as well as increases for Part C early intervention, Title I and other education and health programs.
Although neither the Continuing Resolution nor the Harkin amendment eliminate the full impact of sequestration, they do help lessen the blow.
Action Needed NOW
Senator Harkin’s amendment is critical. By voting for the Harkin amendment, the impact of sequestration is not eliminated, but it reduces the cuts to child care, Head Start and other services.
We need you to call or email your Senators today—tell your friends and colleagues to do the same!
To find and contact your senators (remember that the House has voted, so contact your 2 senators only), all you need is your zip code and to click here.
MESSAGE:
- Vote YES on the Harkin amendment so that children do not lose vital child care and Head Start services that help families keep their jobs and that help children receive the education and developmental support they need. The current cuts hurt the economy and this amendment puts us on the right path.
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