Virginia's Poverty Fighting Network

Almost all of the federal government (including the core community action programs) are operating under a continuing resolution which expires December 14, 2007. It is most likely that a new continuing resolution will be adopted, probably until December 21, 2007. The impasse between the White House and Congress is over the $22 billion in additional domestic spending which exceeds the President’s budget request. Of the $22 billion, about $9 billion is in the Labor/HHS Appropriations bill (which includes CSBG).

Earlier this month, the Labor/HHS Bill was vetoed by the President, and the House fell short of the two-thirds vote needed to override the veto. It is most important for you to understand that the funding levels already approved by Congress are likely to be reduced because of the President’s veto and the inability of Congress to override his veto. How the spending impasse is resolved and what the final numbers will be is still “up in the air”. If no agreement is reached by the end of December, the Democratic leadership in Congress supports a year-long continuing resolution.

“Despite the uncertainty in which we currently find ourselves, we continue to be optimistic that increases for Community Action Programs, particularly CSBG, can be achieved this year.” - David Bradley, NCAF Executive Director