Advocacy

As Congress returns from its August recess, the FY 2026 appropriations process is gaining momentum and the outlines of a final spending package are beginning to take shape. Before the recess, the Senate Appropriations Committee advanced its FY 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services (LHHS) funding bill. On September 2, the House LHHS Appropriations Subcommittee followed suit by marking up its version. Importantly, neither bill includes proposals to cut or eliminate Head Start or Migrant and Seasonal Head Start (MSHS).

On Sept. 25, just six days before the start of fiscal year (FY) 2025, the House and Senate passed a short-term spending bill otherwise known as a continuing resolution (CR) that extends federal funding at FY 2024 levels through Dec. 20, 2024.

National Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Association (NMSHSA) Executive Director Cleo Rodriguez, Jr. recounts tales of tragedy and triumph in the policy and advocacy work required to successfully expand Migrant Head Start eligibility for farmworker families.

Originally published in Progress Report, powered by UNIDOSUS.

The House Committee on Education and the Workforce's Subcommittee on Workforce Protections held a hearing on July 24th titled “Safeguarding Workers and Employers from OSHA Overreach and Skewed Priorities.” The discussion focused on the impact of OSHA's recent proposed rules including the pending rule on Heat Protections for various industries and small businesses, including agricultural and farmworker labor.

A Continuing Resolution (CR) from October, 21, 2021 allows the federal government to continue operating at FY 21 funding levels until December 3rd. If the CR expires before Congress passes the FY 22 appropriations or another CR, the government will shut down.