5 Things to Know That Might Influence Your Work

Federal Actions & Network Insights

Jasmine Jones
April 4, 2025

Quick Takes: 5 Things You Need to Know

Here’s a quick roundup of key federal actions and network insights that could shape your advocacy work in the weeks ahead.

Federal Budget Cuts Ahead
The latest Continuing Resolution slashes non-defense discretionary funding by up to $15 billion—putting key supports for children and families at risk, especially in states with limited resources.
Tax Cuts May Undercut Safety Net Programs
Republican leaders are pushing to extend 2017 tax cuts for billionaires—potentially forcing deep reductions to Medicaid, SNAP, and other critical programs if offsets are required.
Federal Layoffs Could Shift Costs to States
Major layoffs across agencies within HHS, HUD, and ED could disrupt service delivery and increase strain on state budgets—especially in health care, housing, and underfunded schools.
Advocates Are Building Capacity to Prepare for State-Level Impact
With federal programs at risk, network members are bracing for increased state responsibility, fueling the urgency to build stronger state advocacy capacity and coalition infrastructure.
Equity Framing Remains Essential in a Shifting Landscape
In politically charged environments, members are refining how they discuss equity—not backing down, but doubling down with strategic messaging that resonates locally.

1. Federal | FY25 CR Government Funding: Executive decisions could impact state-funding for programs.

On March 15, President Trump approved a Continuing Resolution (CR) that reduces nondefense discretionary programs and services by $13 billion and $15 billion compared to FY24 enacted levels and FY25 levels outlined in the Fiscal Responsibility Act agreement. Many critical programs supporting children and families now face inadequate funding.

The CR gives increased spending authority to the president and federal department secretaries, which could disproportionately impact states based on political priorities. Essential programs supporting mental health, maternal health, education, and rural development could be deprioritized. However, the WIC and Housing Choice Voucher programs received slight increases ($567 million and $3.7 billion, respectively).

Congress is currently working on FY26 appropriations, which will determine annual discretionary spending when the CR expires on September 30.

2. Federal | Reconciliation: The final Republican bill that passes could impact funding for state programs.

The budget reconciliation process determines mandatory spending for programs. While the House and Senate have passed budget resolutions, they must reach a final agreement on the overall outline.

Republican leaders have prioritized tax cuts for high-income households and high earning corporations, which could lead to significant funding reductions for essential programs that support children and families. A key provision within the reconciliation process prohibits bills from increasing the deficit beyond a 10-year window without offsetting the cost through spending cuts. Extending the 2017 Trump tax package is projected to cost trillions over the next decade. If made permanent—a priority for President Trump—deep funding cuts would be necessary.

Some argue that extending these tax cuts should not be considered a new cost since the policy is already in place. However, if Republicans determine that the expiring tax cuts must be offset, reductions to other programs will be required. Proposed cuts could affect programs such as CCDBG, Head Start, SNAP, Medicaid, TANF, CHIP, the Social Services Block Grant, the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs, EITC, CTC, family support initiatives, and foster care programs. If enacted, states may be forced to absorb the financial burden or reduce program eligibility and benefits, further straining social safety nets.

Advocacy Actions

The upcoming April recess is a key opportunity to convey the need to reject cuts and protect programs that support families and children. CBPP recommends ethe following actions:

Local outreach is essential. Lean into the local storytellers whose voices can be amplified in a local media opinion piece or morning radio show. Reach out to your Republican Members of Congress and their staff to share your blogs, reports, media hits, or re-up your coalition letters or sign-on letters with a new cover letter.
Make a clear ask to House and Senate: As the House and Senate attempt to finalize a budget agreement, we ask on behalf of your constituents who struggle to make ends meet for you to oppose any agreement that would allow a pathway to impose deep cuts in critical programs, especially Medicaid and SNAP. The House Republican budget plan would require very deep cuts in vital programs that would hurt millions of low-income children, working parents, people with disabilities, some veterans, and older adults in our state. And these very harmful budget cuts were combined with very costly tax cuts that will help wealthy families the most. The Senate budget was narrower in scope but could still have paved the way for very harsh cuts that would mean families seeing their health care and food costs go up. This is not what [STATERS] need. Rather than take away essentials like health care and food assistance, policymakers should ensure everyone can afford to see a doctor and put food on the table. We ask you to oppose any final budget resolution that could pave the way for damaging cuts in Medicaid and SNAP, including any resolution that calls for huge cuts by House Committees, but is less clear about cut levels required of Senate committees.

3. Federal | Mass Layoffs: Workforce Shifts could impact program implementation and state budgets.

Efforts to downsize the federal government workforce to save money has led to capacity shifts in the following departments. Many of the actions are being challenged in court.

The Department of Education: Nearly 50% of its workforce has been laid off, including the dissolution of the Office for Civil Rights and the Office of English Language Acquisition. On March 20, President Trump issued an executive order to close the Department of Education. The executive order could impact Title I and Title III funding, the employment of nearly 300,000 teachers nationwide, and shift costs to state education departments.
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): Approximately 20,000 jobs are being cut across key agencies like the FDA, CDC, ACF, and NIH. HHS plays a crucial role in public health, providing essential services like immunization programs, health disparity initiatives, and research on diseases affecting children and families. HHS administers Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), maternal health programs, child care programs, and child welfare services. Reduced federal staff and funding cuts could shift healthcare and public health program costs onto states.
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): A potential 50% reduction in HUD staff could hinder vital support to families through affordable housing programs, community development initiatives, and assistance for unhoused people, increasing pressure on state-funded services for rental assistance programs or expanding emergency shelter services. Rising homelessness and housing instability could strain state-funded social services.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Workforce reductions may affect enforcement of environmental health protections. The reduction in staff may affect the agency’s capacity to respond to environmental emergencies and enforce regulations.
Social Security Administration (SSA): Workforce reductions may impact children supported by grandparents or guardians relying on retirement benefits.

4. Network Discussions | Building Capacity to Prepare for State Level Impact.

As federal funding becomes more uncertain and federal agencies downsize, network members are proactively adapting to brace for an increased burden on state systems. With state legislatures playing a more prominent role in determining the scope and implementation of many social services and safety net programs, advocacy organizations are prioritizing efforts to build stronger coalitions, deepen relationships with state policymakers, and diversify funding streams.

However, building this new capacity requires more than strategy— it will require additional resources. Increased investment in this area is essential to drive long-term policy transformation and ensure the sustainability of critical programs.

To meet this challenge, many network members are exploring collaborative fundraising efforts, leveraging increased interest from individual donors, and aligning resources to protect critical programs and services most vulnerable to federal disinvestment.

5. Network Discussions | Advancing Equity in a Shifting Environment

Even as equity work remains essential to addressing disparities, members are adapting their messaging in response to heightened politicization at both the federal and state levels. With certain federal departments eliminating civil rights offices and programs targeted at underserved communities, equity efforts are becoming both more urgent and more strategically complex.

Network members are doubling down on their equity commitments while developing language that resonates across diverse political contexts, enabling them to maintain impact without compromising alignment with their core values. The Partnership is convening spaces for shared learning and strategy on advancing equity in today’s polarized climate.

Helpful Resource and Tools:

Racial Equity Tools, Countering Attacks on Racial Equity
Racial Equity Tools, Full List of Resources
Othering & Belonging Institute, Advancing Racial Equity Legal Guidance for Advocates
Building Movement Project, Navigating Uncertainty
National Black Child Development Institute, Movement Building and Advocacy in a Polarized Society
Scientific Reports, Diversity and inclusion have greater support than most Americans think (summarized here)
The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, The Fierce Urgency of Now: Messages that Advance Diversity and Equal Opportunity
PNAS Nexus Journal, Centering Historically Minoritized Populations to Design Effective Messages About an Evidence-Based Policy to Advance Social Equity

Building Collective Resilience

As we navigate these policy shifts, our collective strategy, shared resources, and sustained advocacy will be crucial in protecting and expanding programs that support families and children. We encourage members to stay engaged, share insights, and contribute to ongoing discussions. Please reach out if your organization has strategies, experiences, or resources to share with the network.