Head Start and Social Safety Net Programs
Last updated: 08/05/2025

Upcoming Federal Deadlines:
  • July - House and Senate vote on appropriations, CR, or omnibus.
    • Having passed H.R. 1 "One Big Beautiful Bill Act", the U.S. House of Representatives turns its attention to marking up 12 appropriations bills before the end of July. With all markups already scheduled, at least some bills will be brought to the House floor for a vote before Congress breaks for the August recess. The U.S. Senate has not yet announced its plans for the FY26 spending bills, and with the focus on reconciliation, that timeline may slip to later in the year. 
  • August 13th - Deadline to submit public comment to HHS on Head Start PWORA ruling
  • August 4th to September 1st - Congress goes on recess
  • September 30 - Current fiscal year ends. Deadline for the President to sign the budget into law
    • Expiration of federal programs on September 30th - TANF & related programs, Medicare/Medicaid policies & healthcare extenders, SNAP & agriculture and nutrition programs
    • Federal agencies submit budget proposals to the President for the FY starting the following October
  • October 1 - New fiscal year begins with or without a new budget. If a budget is not adopted, Congress passes a continuing resolution or allows the government to "shut down"

Head Start Resources

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Immediate Action Items

Resources, Reports, and Factsheets:

Social Safety Net Programs

Immediate Action Items

Resources, Reports, and Factsheets:

Updates: