November 2, 2007

We are providing the roll call votes of your representative and senator on the Labor, HHS, Education and Related Agencies appropriations bill which funds Head Start and Early Head Start.

The House of Representatives voted to pass the bill (Jul 19, 2007) with a vote of 276 to 140 in favor, and 15 not voting, approving $75 million for Head Start and Early Head

(list provided below).

The U.S. Senate most recently voted (October 23, 2007) and passed its version of the Labor, HHS, Education and Related Agencies appropriations bill by a vote of 75 to 19, with six senators not voting, approving $200 million for Head Start and Early Head (list provided below).

On November 1, 2007, the House and Senate met and negotiated the funding levels for Head Start and other programs in the Fiscal Year 2008 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill. Congressional sources report that the Head Start and Early Head Start Programs are scheduled to be funded at $153,600 million for FY 2008. The official conference report or agreement between the House and Senate is slated to be officially filed and made public on Monday, November 5, 2007.

Accordingly, the NHSA Department of Research and Evaluation has calculated the impact of the funding level on programs. While above the $100 million cut proposed by President Bush, the proposed $153.625 million increase falls seriously short of the $200 million as proposed by the Senate, and the $189 million needed for Head Start and Early Head Start programs to keep pace with inflation in FY 2008.

Because this $153.625 million level of funding does not keep pace with inflation, it would be equivalent to closing Head Start and Early Head Start enrollment to 4,624 children and pregnant women in FY 2008. Under this below inflation funding, Head Start and Early Head Start programs would experience a 9 percent real cut since FY 2002.

The National Head Start Association is calling upon its national membership – parents, family members, staff, teachers, friends, volunteers, and community and business supporters to contact their U.S. House of Representatives representative and senator (list provided*) who voted against the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations, which includes Head Start and Early Head Start funding for FY 2008.

The House and Senate may vote on the Conference Report or agreement between the House and Senate some time in the week of November 5.

Contact your representative or senator - call the Capitol Hill switchboard at 202/224-3121

YOUR MESSAGE: If your representative and senator are on the list below voting against or not voting, contact and advise them that:

Head Start funding since 2002 has not kept up with inflation and was slated for a $100 million budget cut by President Bush for fiscal year 2008.
Head Start programs may have to reduce operating hours, cut staff, reduce salaries and benefits, endure high staff turnovers, lose highly qualified staff, cut transportation services, reduce supplies, cut training and professional development, and cut services to English language learners.
In order for Head Start to keep pace with inflation and continue to serve 42 percent of eligible children, $750 million is required.
Urge them to vote for funding that supports America’s children and families and will place Head Start in step with inflation.

How the United States House of Representatives and Senate voted on Head Start and Early Head Start funding

United States Senate Roll Call Vote on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations

(October 23, 2007)

To see how your representative voted on the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations (Jul 19, 2007), click here: House Roll Call Vote on Labor, HHS, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill