— Mark Schmeissing, Senior Policy Analyst —

This week, on Wednesday, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies will begin considering their FY 2013 Appropriations bill. Today, ahead of the consideration, Subcommittee Chairman Rehberg released the draft funding bill that will serve as the starting point for negotiations.

The draft bill includes level funding for the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), which includes $677 million for allocations to States and CAAs. The $712 million figure reported below includes the additional $35 million for  Community and Economic Development and Rural Facilities activities.

While it looks like the House is working toward completing all of the appropriations bills, it is unlikely that the Senate will be taking up this bill once it is complete, nor will they be doing their own bill in the near future.

Here are the details according to the House Appropriations Subcommittee Summary:

Administration for Children and Families (ACF) – The bill provides $16.37 billion in discretionary funds for ACF, which is $111 million below last year’s level and $192 million above the President’s budget request. This funding includes:

• $3.4 billion for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) block grant, which is the same as last year’s level and an increase of $451 million above the President’s budget request.
• $2.3 billion for the Child Care and Development Block Grant, which is $25 million more than last year’s level.
• $8 billion for Head Start – $45.5 million more than last year’s level.
• $712 million for the Community Services Block Grant, which is the same as last year’s level and $332 million above the President’s budget request.

More information can be found on the appropriations website:

Fiscal Year 2012 Labor/Health and Human Services/Education Appropriations Bill
Press Release

We will keep you updated as we receive more information and as this bill progresses through the House.