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
Bruce Lesley, First Focus Campaign for 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
Michele Kayal | 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
Michele Kayal | 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
First Focus on Children, ZERO TO THREE | 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
Michele Kayal | 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
Michele Kayal | 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
First Focus on Children, ZERO TO THREE | 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 …