Federal Budget

When it comes to prioritizing children in the federal budget, Congress is badly out-of-step with the needs and wants of the American people. While voters think more than one-fourth of federal resources should be invested in children, Congress allocates less than 8 percent. First Focus is working to change that, by publicizing detailed analyses of fiscal proposals from a children’s perspective, publishing an annual Children’s Budget, and advancing policy solutions to ensure that children are the priority in the federal budget.

Resources


Congress Is Shortchanging Children

| September 27, 2023 |

As part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) in 2021, Congress made unprecedented investments in children, as the share of federal spending on kids rose


Children’s Budget 2023: Funding negotiations endanger children’s health, education, and well-being

| September 21, 2023 |

New report from First Focus on Children tracks decline in share of federal spending on kids A new report from First Focus on Children


Children’s Budget Summit 2023

Event September 22, 2023 |

Sep 22 2023 Ended Children's Budget Summit 2023 Senate Budget Committee Hearing Room, Washington, DC


New research shows baby and toddler programs need greater funding

| August 24, 2023 |

“Babies in the Budget” outlines federal investment in the nation’s youngest children WASHINGTON, August 23, 2023 — New research released today shows that the federal government


Babies in the Budget

| August 23, 2023 |

Babies in the Budget — a report co-authored by ZERO TO THREE and First Focus on Children — examines federal investment in the nation’s


Watch: Invest In Kids Briefing

| June 15, 2023 |

Join in celebrating Father’s Day and Children’s Week by attending a briefing with Congressional leaders, Administration officials, and child advocates focused on the importance


Invest in Kids Briefing

Event June 15, 2023 |

Jun 15 2023 Ended Invest in Kids Briefing Whittall Pavilion at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC Join in celebrating Father’s Day and Children’s


Four ways the debt ceiling bill hurts kids

| June 1, 2023 |

Last night the House passed a debt ceiling bill that will stave off disaster for the country as a whole, but will hurt millions


Statement: Budget deal “short-sighted, unfair and fiscally irresponsible,” children’s advocate says

| May 31, 2023 |

Deal undercuts an already shrinking share of spending on kids First Focus on Children President Bruce Lesley released the following statement in response to the


Fact Sheet: Babies in the Budget

| May 31, 2023 |

Federal Share of Spending on Infants and Toddlers: FY2017-FY2023 The 11.4 million babies and toddlers in the United States represent 3.4 percent of the