As we near the end of the month, Congress must come together quickly to pass a short-term funding solution that provides more time for both chambers to continue and finalize bipartisan conversations on full year spending decisions. Today’s vote on the House Continuing Resolution (CR) however, is NOT the solution. 

First Focus Campaign for Children urges a NO VOTE on any FY2026 funding bills or short and long-term CR that fails to prioritize children and their unique and growing needs and neglects to protect Congress’ power of the purse by ensuring appropriated funds are implemented according to the law. 

Over 250 programs work in coordination to protect the health, well-being, and development of children, both here and abroad. According to preliminary analysis of the Children’s Budget report, FY 2025 will be the fourth consecutive year that federal spending on children has declined. At the same time bipartisan funding bills are being ignored and resources are being withheld and cancelled. Any spending bill that does not provide reassurances that those dedicated funds will reach children, their families and communities warrants a “NO VOTE.” 

We strongly urge you to use this moment to address the health care crisis by ensuring the permanent extension of the enhanced Marketplace premium tax credits. Over 24 million Americans are enrolled in plans through the Health Insurance Marketplace, including more than 2 million children. Ninety-two percent (92%) of Marketplace plan enrollees are eligible for premium tax credits that help them afford comprehensive health coverage. An estimated 4 million individuals will lose coverage if the enhanced tax credits are not extended. Now is an opportunity for policymakers on both sides of the aisle to do right by children and families and protect healthcare coverage by making permanent the enhanced Marketplace premium tax credits. 

Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provide health insurance to over 37 million children in the United States and Medicaid covers over 40% of births. H.R.1 includes the largest funding cuts to these programs in their history, jeopardizing children’s access to quality, affordable health care coverage. According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the law will cut nearly $1 trillion from Medicaid and CHIP over the next decade. These cuts will result in at least 10 million Americans losing health coverage. This figure includes the millions of children who rely on Medicaid or CHIP for their basic health care, putting their health, education outcomes, and future economic prospects at severe risk. The devastating impacts of H.R. 1 should be repealed.

We recognize the urgency of this moment. In critical decision points, it is always helpful to be guided by what is best for kids.

We urge Congress to VOTE NO ON TODAY’S CR and adhere to the following in all spending bill negotiations:

  • Center children when making upcoming decisions about FY2026 spending bills and opposing policy riders often debated as part of the appropriations process that could harm children’s healthy development, safety and well-being;
  • Reject any proposals to reorganize, restructure, or entirely eliminate federal agencies and departments during consideration of the FY2026 annual spending bills and continuing resolutions, 
  • Insist that the administration follows the law and releases the FY2025 funding that Congress enacted in March and does not withhold or cancel additional funding approved by Congress going forward;
  • Oppose future rescissions proposals that claw back congressionally approved resources for programs supporting children and their families;
  • Permanently extend the enhanced ACA Marketplace premium tax credits; and
  • Repeal the Medicaid/CHIP cuts enacted under H.R. 1.