CHN just released our latest edition of the Human Needs Report, our regular newsletter on national policy issues affecting low-income and vulnerable populations. This edition includes articles on the ongoing appropriations process and the intersection of transportation, taxes and spending caps. See below for the full analysis and links to each section of the report.
Click here for the full PDF Human Needs Report: http://www.chn.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/August-03-2015.pdf

Odds of Year-End Deal on Spending Increase as August Recess Approaches
The Senate Appropriations Committee cleared its final appropriations bills on July 23, marking the first time in six years that all 12 appropriations bills have made it through that chamber’s committee (the House Appropriations Committee has also passed all 12 bills, and the full House has passed six of those 12). It looks to be a hollow milestone however, as it is unlikely any spending bills will get full Congressional approval by the September 30 fiscal year deadline. READ MORE »

Transportation and Taxes: A Bridge to Somewhere?
The House and Senate have agreed on stop-gap legislation to keep the transportation funding flowing for three months. Authorization to spend money on highways and public transit would have expired at the end of July, and failure to extend funding during the summer highway construction and maintenance season would have been a real job killer. In agreeing on a short extension, Congressional leaders hope to buy time to work out a deal for longer-term funding. The Senate simultaneously passed a six-year transportation bill only funded for three years that leaders hope will form the basis of a later negotiation. READ MORE »

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