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
By 6-to-1 margin, voters say federal government should spend more on children
Michele Kayal | June 13, 2022 |
American voters believe — by a roughly 6-to-1 margin — that the federal government is spending too little on the health, safety, and well-being …
Our Kids Need and Deserve Champions
Bruce Lesley, First Focus Campaign for Children | June 2, 2022 |
First Focus Campaign for Children just released our 2021 Champions for Children Legislative Scorecard, which analyzed the sponsors of over 300 pieces of legislation …
Statement: Biden budget will “fuel investment” in our children
Michele Kayal | March 31, 2022 |
After studying President Biden’s FY 2023 budget proposal, released this week, First Focus on Children President Bruce Lesley offers the following statement: “We’re pleased that President …
“Good, solid budget” benefits children But leaves millions without free school meals
Michele Kayal | March 15, 2022 |
The $1.5 trillion spending bill signed this afternoon by President Biden keeps the federal investment in children from returning to historic lows. During the …
A Senate Majority Is Allowing Child Poverty to Nearly Double
Bruce Lesley, First Focus Campaign for Children | January 6, 2022 |
Former Secretary Robert Reich asks a very important question: Why has America chosen to dramatically reduce poverty among the nation’s elderly but not among our children? …
What’s at stake for kids if Congress doesn’t pass Build Back Better
Aubrey Edwards-Luce, Averi Pakulis, Cara Baldari, Carrie Fitzgerald, Conor Sasner, Elaine Dalpiaz, Haley Winter, Kathy Sacco, Michelle Dallafior, Miriam Abaya, Olivia Gomez, First Focus Campaign for Children | December 22, 2021 |
As negotiations have stalled and the fate of the Build Back Better Act hangs in the balance, children stand to lose access to monthly …
Just in time for the holidays, Congress may slash benefits for struggling families
Tim Smith, First Focus Campaign for Children | December 9, 2021 |
Next week, millions of families will receive the last child tax credit payment of 2021. That we know for certain. But much else when …
2021 Children’s Budget shows largest year-to-year increase in the share of federal spending on kids
Michele Kayal | November 3, 2021 |
Sec. Xavier Becerra today reiterated the Biden Administration’s commitment to children, pointing to investments in child care, income supports, and the physical and behavioral …
Congress won’t cut kids out — if we do this…
Bruce Lesley, First Focus Campaign for Children | October 15, 2021 |
Right now, Congress has the opportunity to cut child poverty, ensure more kids have access to health care, and save our struggling child care system. Some …
Statement: $3.5T budget would benefit children, families
Michele Kayal | August 12, 2021 |
In response to the Senate’s passage of a $3.5 trillion budget plan, First Focus on Children President Bruce Lesley issued the following statement: “We …