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Washington – As the Congressional “Super Committee” today announced that no deal had been reached to cut $1.2 trillion from the Federal Budget, First Focus is pleased that members did not come to an agreement that might have cut vital programs that children and their families rely on. However, without a deal, a “sequester,” or series of automatic budget cuts, worth $1.2 trillion over 10 years could be triggered, split equally between defense and non-defense spending While a number of important programs are exempt from sequestration, the cuts could be particularly devastating to K-12 education, early childhood programs, and housing programs.

“Inaction by members of the Super Committee means programs like Medicaid, SNAP, and the Earned Income Tax Credit that children and their families rely on will be preserved,” said First Focus President Bruce Lesley. “However, the Committee had an opportunity to reach an agreement that spared children any harm and unfortunately they chose not to do that. We remain concerned that the sequestration that could go into effect would make terrible cuts to vital education, health, and housing programs like Head Start, Title I, IDEA, and Homeless Assistance.”

If enacted, reports from the CBO and other organizations show that non-exempt discretionary programs could be cut by as much as 9% in 2013 by sequestration. Beginning in January of 2013, sequestration would hit all of these programs equally. From 2014 to 2021, the proposed cuts would impact the overall appropriation levels in the Federal budget.

“If carried out, these across the board cuts could set back years of progress federal funding has made for children. At a time when investments in our young people are most needed, these cuts would be a penny wise, and a pound foolish,” said Lesley.

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First Focus is a bipartisan advocacy organization dedicated to making children and families a priority in federal policy and budget decisions. For more information, visit www.firstfocus.net.