Human Services News

National Women's Law Center

In 2005, the federal budget process will demand advocates' attention. The process begins early in the next session of Congress. It could be the first step toward drastic changes and cutbacks to critical programs such as Social Security, child care, Head Start, TANF, Medicaid, and countless others. In a budget resolution, Congress can issue instructions to various committees to cut entitlement programs in order to meet the budget spending target. Bills that are drafted in accordance with the instructions to cut programs to meet the budget target receive special procedural protections. These bills cannot be filibustered and only require 50 votes to pass the Senate.