Policy Update

Coalition on Human Needs Report: Medicaid, Taxes, Child Support, Food Stamps, Etc.

11/15/2005

House Leadership Can't Dig Up Votes to Slash Medicaid, Child Support, Food Stamps, SSI, and Foster Care
Advocates for human needs scored a major victory on Thursday, November 10, when Republicans in the House conceded they did not yet have the votes needed to pass a budget reconciliation bill (H.R. 4241) before departing for a long Veteran's Day weekend.

Key Moderate Senator Forces Delay on Bill Cutting Taxes for Wealthy
While conservatives and moderates in the House were at odds over a budget bill, a similar dynamic unfolded in the Senate Finance Committee on Thursday.  Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME) refused to support a $68.8 billion tax bill that included cuts to the capital gains and dividend tax rates.

Funding for At-Risk Youth Cut
The House of Representatives voted November 9 to approve the conference report funding the Departments of State, Justice, and Commerce and other agencies for fiscal 2006 by a vote of 397-19.  The Commerce-Justice-Science (CJS) appropriations bill (H.R. 2862) includes funding for Juvenile Justice programs at $311.7 million, compared to $346.5 million appropriated for fiscal 2005. 

Appropriations Bills Moving Towards Completion; Across-the-Board Cuts Threatened
It appears Congress is on track for finishing all or almost all appropriations bills before a planned November 18 adjournment. An across-the-board cut that hits all domestic discretionary programs remains a possibility.

Complete Human Needs Report
http://www.chn.org/pdf/051111hnr.pdf (pdf)
http://www.chn.org/humanneeds/051111.html (html)