Reconciliation Bill: Senate Version, CACFP as a program is left untouched, but there are many concerns

The House passed its version of the reconciliation bill, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, in May. The Senate has to draft and vote on its version of the bill. If too much changes, it has to go back to the House to pass.

Where are we right now? The Senate is negotiating key provisions. The parlimenterian, a non-partisan staffperson, is reviewing the bill to ensure that the provisions in the bill meet the strict requirements to allow the Senate to be able to use the reconciliation process. Reconciliation is a simplified process and only requires a simple majority of votes, not 60 like typically required in the Senate. The parliamentarian, it has been recently reported, has indicated some provisions don't meet this rule - they have to do with Medicaid.

President Trump is pushing for a vote before July 4th, and Congress is rushing to meet this expectation. There is still a lot of negotiating happening and the Senate will need to address the provisions that the parliamentarian says don't meet the standards of the Byrd Rule.

What does the Senate bill do?

It hurts children and families relying on food assistance programs and Medicaid, and is reported to be more aggressive than the House bill. It does not directly impact CACFP but does harm the children and families in the CACFP community.

Learn more here

• The Senate's Budget Reconciliation Bill is Bad for Children and Families, CLASP

• 8 Ways the Senate Budget Bill is More Extreme Than the House-Passed Big, 'Beautiful' Bill, Center for American Progress

• What's in the Senate Republican Tax Bill, Bipartisan Policy Center

Statements and Action Centers

• Senators Vote this Week on Cuts to Food and Health Care for Babies, The Baby Monitor, Zero to Three

• FRAC, Advocate

• Model Letter for CACFP Child Care Providers to support SNAP

This is separate from the President's Budget Proposal

It can be confusing as we seek to understand all of the moving parts. As we monitor Congress's reconciliation process and bills, you may also be hearing about the President's Budget Proposal and the cuts that are included in that. Things to keep in mind:

1. The President's Budget is a proposal, it is an indication of his administration's priorities and where he wants money to be spent or cut. Congress determines spending and funding.

2. It is still important for your Members of Congress to understand that if there are items he cut in his budget proposal, you do not support them and why.

3. FRAC's summary of the FY 26 President's Budget Proposal - the item that directly impacts CACFP is the elimination of funding for the Institute of Child Nutrition, an important and impactful resource for CACFP.

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Join us at our CACFP Roundtable Member Meeting on July 23 from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. pst. Not a member and just want to try it out, $25.00. Members for free! Join your CACFP community for conversation, learning, and support. And we always have some fun ice breakers, last time we asked "If you had to sing karaoke, what song would you sing?" We made a playlist. Enjoy!