Budget
O’Malley makes last ditch effort to secure Biden’s budget proposal for Social Security
The commissioner said that without a budget anomaly to boost funding at the agency, the Social Security Administration would need to institute a hiring freeze and would see its workforce fall to a 50-year low.
U.S. House speaker withdraws spending bill that would require ID to register to vote
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., walked back a plan to fund the federal government for six months Wednesday after Democrats and some Republicans balked at the proposal.
There is little consensus in Washington on spending following August recess
The House last weekend unveiled a continuing resolution that would fund federal programs for six months at fiscal 2024 levels and institute new voter ID provisions, a nonstarter for Democrats.
Maui wildfire recovery effectively paused without additional funds
Witnesses at a congressional hearing last week touted the federal government’s response to last year’s disaster but said long-term recovery is in jeopardy.
House GOP members unveil $3B VA supplemental funding bill
The legislation is intended to cover a budget shortfall at the department through the remainder of fiscal 2024.
Congress will land on $833B defense budget—and a CR of unknown length, top HASC lawmaker says
Another supplemental funding package might be possible later in fiscal 2025, Wittman says.
Biden administration seeks more Social Security funding, election and transition provisions in possible CR
The Office of Management and Budget made the requests as part of the process by which the White House and Congress prepare for the potential need to pass a short-term continuing resolution in September.
Forest Service chief signals budget belt-tightening is on the horizon for FY2025
Chief Randy Moore said in a statement that the agency is preparing for a pared-down appropriation following the end of the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding.
Republicans criticize EEOC over nixed one-day furlough
The agency said that no additional funding and a high pay increase for federal employees helped create its budget shortfall, but GOP leaders called it a failure to adjust spending.
Senator says rule to stem Head Start employee turnover could bar children from early education
The HHS rule would require wage and benefit increases for Head Start staff, but Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., claimed the proposed changes would reduce funded, if vacant, slots in the education program.
EEOC averts the threat of a one-day furlough
Chair Charlotte Burrows said in a statement that the agency found enough savings to avoid furloughing employees on Aug. 30.
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SSA has a plan, but wants more funding to get it done
The 2024 agenda’s top priorities for the remainder of the year stem from over 5,000 recommendations from employees.
EEOC workers could be furloughed for one day due to budget shortfall
No additional funding and a high pay increase for federal employees helped create the agency’s financial conundrum.
Congress limps toward the end of a disappointing session, with just 78 laws to show
A divided Congress has shepherded fewer bills to the president this session, often fostering little consensus in 2024, and things don't look to improve during election season.
Senate appropriators propose $500 million budget increase for Social Security overhead
The decision to include $14.7 billion for the Social Security Administration’s administrative budget sets up a fight with the House, which is proposing a nearly half billion-dollar cut.
House GOP spending cuts are a preview of Project 2025, lead Dem appropriator says
Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., told reporters Tuesday that the major spending cuts in Republicans’ fiscal 2025 proposal to fund the departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education would have significant impacts on workers, families and students.
The Forest Service will focus hiring on its ‘highest priority positions’ amid tighter budgets
Lower attrition means that the agency will continue to promote internal recruitment, but limit some outside hires to ensure it that it can align both funding and core mission functions.
Senate's FY25 spending bills gain bipartisan momentum
Committee reaches bipartisan agreement to boost funding levels that lawmakers say are key to avoiding furloughs and layoffs at agencies.
House GOP defeats effort to restore SSA funding to appropriations bill
Democrats said the planned half-billion-dollar cut to the Social Security Administration’s administrative budget would bring the agency’s workforce to the lowest level in 50 years.
Social Security in line for half-billion dollar cut in House GOP funding bill
Republican appropriators blamed “reduced in-person staffing” at headquarters to slash the already overworked and under-resourced agency’s budget.
