The Keep Head Start Funded Act of 2025 would automatically continue funding for Head Start programs in fiscal year 2026 if regular appropriations are not enacted. This would ensure that essential early childhood education and family services provided through Head Start can continue without interruption.
Latest Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
AI Summary
Plain-English explanation of this bill
The Keep Head Start Funded Act of 2025 would automatically continue funding for Head Start programs in fiscal year 2026 if regular appropriations are not enacted. This would ensure that essential early childhood education and family services provided through Head Start can continue without interruption.
Last updated: 12/29/2025
Official Summary
Congressional Research Service summary
<p><strong>Flood Protection and Infrastructure Resilience Act of 2023</strong></p><p>This bill modifies Department of Agriculture (USDA) watershed programs.</p><p>The bill modifies the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program to allow USDA to undertake certain measures that go beyond addressing the immediate impairment of the watershed. Specifically, USDA may undertake measures that increase the level of protection of the watershed if USDA determines that the restoration is in the best interest of the long-term health and the protection of the watershed from repetitive impairments. (The EWP Program assists sponsors, landowners, and operators in implementing emergency recovery measures for runoff retardation and erosion prevention to relieve imminent hazards to life and property created by natural disasters.) </p><p>In addition, for Watershed Rehabilitation Program (REHAB) projects that serve a limited resource area, the bill increases the federal cost-share to up to 90% of the total rehabilitation costs. Currently, the federal cost-share for all projects is 65% of the total rehabilitation costs. (REHAB assists project sponsors in rehabilitating aging watershed dams that are reaching the end of their design life or no longer meet certain federal or state standards.)</p><p>Further, the purpose of the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) is amended to include the prevention and mitigation of the effects of flooding and drought and the improvement or expansion of flood resiliency. (Under the RCPP, USDA enters into agreements with eligible partners to deliver conservation projects in specific geographical areas. Within an RCPP project, producers enter into contracts and agreements with USDA to carry out eligible conservation activities.)</p>
Key Points
Main provisions of the bill
Provides automatic continuing appropriations for Head Start programs in fiscal year 2026 if regular funding is not enacted
Ensures Head Start services can continue without disruption, such as preschool, child care, nutrition, and family support
Funding is available until regular appropriations are enacted or until the end of fiscal year 2026
How This Impacts Americans
Potential effects on citizens and communities
This bill would primarily impact low-income families and children who rely on Head Start programs for critical early education and family services. If passed, it would prevent these vital programs from being disrupted or shut down due to potential delays in the regular appropriations process, benefiting hundreds of thousands of children and families across the country.
Policy Areas
Primary Policy Area
Agriculture and Food
Scope & Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
3147, 119th Congress (2025). "Keep Head Start Funded Act of 2025". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-3147