Senate Bill for FY 23 Appropriations proposes $85 million increase for 21st CCLC

The Senate Appropriations Committee released a Labor, Health, and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies (LHHS) bill on July 28, 2022. The Fiscal Year 2023 proposed bill would increase overall spending from last year’s LHHS appropriations by 10 percent or $21 billion dollars. The bill proposes an increase of $85 million for the Nita M Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Center Initiative (21st CCLC) – the only federal funding stream dedicated to afterschool, before-school, and summer learning programs. President Biden had proposed a $21 million increase for 21st CCLC, and the House Appropriations Committee passed a bill proposing a $120 million increase in June. The Senate’s increase sits between the President and House proposals.

Given that Congress will soon leave for its August recess and campaign season and mid-term elections will follow, there isn’t expected to be additional action on FY 2023 spending bills until after the mid-term elections. Rumors are that talks about a continuing resolution to fund federal agencies and programs temporarily have already begun. Passage of an appropriations bill or continuing resolution needs to be in place by October 1, 2022, when FY 2023 begins.

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