BEYOND THE NUMBERS
In Case You Missed It…
This week at CBPP, we focused on the federal budget, health, food assistance, and income security.
- On the federal budget, CBPP President Sharon Parrott released a statement asserting that Congress must block the Administration’s illegal cuts and protect affordable health care in any government funding deal. Sam Berger pointed out that although the Administration’s plans to engage in mass firings of federal workers, a government shutdown provides no new legal authority to do so. Victoria Hunter Gibney and Cara Brumfield noted that federal data are disappearing as statistical agencies face budget cuts and political pressure. CBPP updated a timeline of the implementation of the harmful Republican megabill.
- On health, Nicole Rapfogel underscored that unless Congress acts, people with low incomes may lose their $0 premium marketplace health coverage plans.
- On food assistance, Zoë Neuberger emphasized that the Administration and state officials should take steps to keep WIC operating during the shutdown. CBPP updated a guide on SNAP eligibility and benefits.
- On income security, Victoria Bowden, Diana Azevedo-McCaffrey, Danilo Trisi, and Maria Manansala stressed that while the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program is a vital resource for people facing hardship, it needs to reach more families. We also released state fact sheets measuring TANF’s reach among families in poverty.
Chart of the Week – With PTC Enhancements in Place, Uninsured Rate Fell Most for People With Low Incomes in Non-Expansion States
The Center was active on social media this week. Here are some of our posts:
- Will Fischer posted a thread to X on the new rule from the Department of Housing and Urban Development that would take housing assistance away from millions of people.
- Shelby Gonzales posted a thread to X and Bluesky on false claims made by Republicans about health coverage for people without a documented immigration status.
- Kathleen Romig posted a thread to Bluesky on the impact of the deferred resignation program on staff at the Social Security Administration.
- Gideon Lukens posted a thread to X and Bluesky on how the expiration of premium tax credit enhancements could affect enrollees.
A variety of news outlets featured CBPP’s work and experts recently. Here are some of the highlights:
Why 4 million Texans are caught in the middle of the government shutdown
Houston Chronicle
October 3, 2025
US government shutdown threatens food-aid program for low-income Americans
Reuters
October 2, 2025
The GOP says the Obamacare subsidies at the center of the shutdown are unimportant. Millions of Americans would disagree
Los Angeles Times
October 2, 2025
Trump threatens mass layoffs as shutdown begins. Can he do that?
The Christian Science Monitor
October 1, 2025
With the government shut down, September jobs report is a blank page
Yahoo Finance
October 1, 2025
Rising Health Care Costs Are the Real Reason for the Government Shutdown
Time
October 1, 2025
The Republican Shutdown Argument is a Giant Lie
The Bulwark
September 30, 2025
US government is phasing out paper checks. Here’s what that means for you
Associated Press
September 30, 2025
What powers does Trump have during government shutdown? Experts weigh in
Miami Herald
September 30, 2025
Millions Could Lose Housing Aid Under Trump Plan
ProPublica
September 29, 2025
Where Jobs Are Scarce, Over 1 Million People Could Dodge Trump’s Medicaid Work Rules
KFF Health News
September 29, 2025
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