The Coalition on Human Needs just released another edition of the Human Needs Report. Read on for the latest on early FY20 budget talks, the potential loss of food aid for millions, a blow to low-income consumers, ongoing immigration battles, and more. Click here to read a PDF version. 

In This Edition

Talks and Speculation Kick Off FY20 Budget Season
Fiscal Year 2020 budget talks and speculation have kicked off on both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue. President Trump’s FY20 topline budget is expected to be released the week of March 11. Congressional leaders are expected to try to negotiate a new budget deal to raise spending caps. And the debt limit, which had been suspended for a year, was reinstated on March 2.READ MORE »

Puerto Rico to Lose Food Aid without Quick Congressional Action
Some 1.4 million Puerto Rican people, who are U.S. citizens, will lose some or all food assistance beginning in March when funds boosted after hurricanes Irma and Maria run out. A bill has been introduced to provide the needed relief, but will Congress act in time? READ MORE »

SNAP Rule Could Force 755,000 Off Benefits
The Trump Administration has proposed a rule that would time-limit benefits for unemployed and underemployed people who can’t document sufficient weekly work hours. Anti-hunger advocates estimate the rule would cause 755,000 people to lose benefits and note that public comments are due April 2. READ MORE »

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Proposes Repealing Payday Lending Rule
In a blow to consumers and especially low-income consumers of color, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Kathy Kraninger has proposed repealing the bureau’s payday and car title lending rule before it goes into effect. Public comments are due by May 15. READ MORE »

House Votes to Nullify Trump’s National Emergency Declaration
The House on Feb. 26 approved a resolution to overturn President Trump’s declaration of a national emergency on the southern border. Four Republican senators have indicated they would vote for the measure, enough to pass it. READ MORE »

House Panels Hold Hearings on Family Separation Policy
Several House panels recently held hearings on the Trump Administration’s policy of family separation at the southern U.S. border. The hearings were partially in response to a report that found that likely thousands more migrant children were separated from their parents than had previously been made public. READ MORE »

The Human Needs Report is the regular newsletter on national policy issues affecting low-income and vulnerable populations from the Coalition on Human Needs. Sign up to get the Human Needs Report delivered directly to your inbox, subscribe to our blog, and follow CHN on Facebook and Twitter.