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The Human Needs Report is the Coalition on Human Needs'
newsletter on national policy issues affecting low-income and vulnerable
populations. It is published every other week while Congress is
in session.
If you would like to receive the Human Needs Report by email,
send an message to Adam Hughes with "subscibe
Human Needs Report" in the subject line.
- Chairman Grassley Floats A TANF Reauthorization Outline
Last week Senate Finance Committee majority staff began circulating an incomplete TANF reauthorization proposal, seeking agreement from committee members. Called PRIDE (the Personal Responsibility and Individual Development for Everyone), its main differences from current law are increased work requirements, funding for marriage promotion and fatherhood supports and improvements in distributing child support to families. The proposal does not contain a dollar amount for increased child care funding, although some increase is expected.
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- Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Bill Passes The House
On July 10 the House passed the FY 2004 Labor-HHS-Education appropriations bill (H.R. 2660). The $470 billion measure was approved by a vote of 215-208. The full Senate appropriations committee completed its mark-up on June 25 and the Senate plans to take up the bill (S. 1356) before the August recess. The House bill provides $138.3 billion in discretionary spending, $46 million more than the President's request and $445 million more than the Senate bill. The discretionary funding represents a $3.7 billion increase over FY 2003, but most programs and services for low-income families were flat funded or increased below inflation.
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- Child Tax Credit Compromise Not Reached; Democrats, Advocates Keep Up Pressure
Supporters of two very different bills to speed up an increase in the child tax credit for 12 million children in low-income working families have come no closer to compromise since the legislation was passed in mid-June. The Senate version has a $10 billion price tag, which is offset by extending customs user fees. The $82 billion House version is not paid for and holds the child tax credit hostage to even more tax breaks to upper income families. House Republican leadership has been unwilling to compromise and a conference committee has not yet met.
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- House Republicans Postpone Vote On Head Start
On Thursday, July 17, House GOP leaders withdrew their Head Start reauthorization bill (HR 2210) from the House floor schedule, fearing a lack of sufficient votes for passage. This delay was largely due to the immense pressure leveled by Head Start advocates and a number of Democratic leaders on House members. Advocates charge the bill will dismantle Head Start by block granting the longtime successful program and handing it over to states without the necessary supportive safeguards and funding assurances.
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