The weak economy and pressure to bring federal deficits under control made 2011 a difficult year for advocates working to protect low-income children and families from harsh budget cuts. Fortunately, some of the most severe policies were either defeated or delayed and there were even a handful of key investments enacted to help some of our most vulnerable children and families.
Click here for a complete federal policy recap of 2011.
The second session of the 112th Congress is likely to be equally challenging. Important issues expected to be considered in 2012 include:
- Expiration of the short-term extension of Unemployment Insurance benefits, the TANF program and the payroll tax cut at the end of February
- Budget and appropriations proposals for Fiscal Year 2013, including funding for important early education and child care programs
- On-going discussions about federal deficit reduction, including ensuring protections for key low-income programs, such as Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and refundable tax credits as agreed to in the Budget Control Act, are not weakened or modified
- Efforts to undermine or repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA)
- Reauthorization of the Farm Bill, including the SNAP
- Expiration of the 2001/2003/2010 tax cuts for the wealthy in December 2012
NEC members look forward to continuing to work on a policy agenda that meets the basic needs of children and their parents; makes educational and economic opportunities available to all; and helps ensure the financial security of all New England families.