BEYOND THE NUMBERS
In Case You Missed It...
This week at CBPP, we focused on the federal budget, health, food assistance, the economy, housing, and income security.
- On the federal budget, CBPP President Sharon Parrott issued a statement responding to House Republicans’ release of a proposed short-term continuing resolution to fund the government. Joe Carlile and Devin O’Connor examined new data showing the Trump Administration's illegal and targeted withholding of funds. Sam Berger detailed the legal framework behind a government shutdown.
- On health, Arloc Sherman noted that the Census Bureau’s new Health Inclusive Poverty Measure shows the anti-poverty impact of Medicaid.
- On food assistance, Joseph Llobrera and Luis Nuñez found that nearly 2 million young children in the U.S. lived in food-insecure households in 2023.
- On the economy, Sherman highlighted that compared to the Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey data, the American Community Survey show the economy may have been stronger than previously reported in 2024.
- On housing, Erik Gartland wrote that new Census data show a persistent gap between incomes and rent, emphasizing the importance of rental assistance.
- On income security, Diana Azevedo-McCaffrey testified before the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities, asserting that the state should take steps to improve the child support program for families in poverty.
Chart of the Week — Housing Costs Are Rising Faster Than Renters’ Incomes
The Center was active on social media this week. Here are some of our posts:
- CBPP President Sharon Parrott posted a thread to X and Bluesky on the Trump Administration’s move to withhold and rescind funds, undermining the bipartisan 2025 funding deal.
- Zoë Neuberger posted a thread to X and Bluesky on reports that Congress may attach the Agriculture appropriations bill, which funds the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), to a stopgap finding measure.
- Sarah Lueck posted a thread to X and Bluesky on the benefits of premium tax credits, underscoring that they are well targeted to people with low and moderate incomes.
A variety of news outlets featured CBPP’s work and experts recently. Here are some of the highlights:
Obamacare is key to whether the government will shut down next month. Here’s why
CNN
September 17, 2025
The Trump administration’s attack on Social Security is looking worse
Los Angeles Times
September 17, 2025
Checks going away soon for Social Security, most federal payments
The Washington Post
September 16, 2025
Social Security is going ‘digital first’ — but what about the seniors left behind?
MarketWatch
September 16, 2025
MAHA Is Complicating One of the Hardest Parts of Parenting
The Atlantic
September 14, 2025
Black unemployment is rising. That's an ominous sign for the whole economy.
MSNBC
September 12, 2025
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