Bill Cassidy - Ranking Member of the Senate HELP Committee | Official U.S. Senate headshot
Bill Cassidy - Ranking Member of the Senate HELP Committee | Official U.S. Senate headshot
On August 16, 2024, U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, criticized a Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) final rule that significantly increases the cost of federal Head Start programs. According to Cassidy, this regulation violates federal law and will prevent 104,764 children from receiving educational services once fully implemented.
The final regulation closely mirrors a proposed rule by the Biden-Harris administration that Cassidy had previously opposed earlier this year. In addition to his objections, 25,000 Head Start teachers and parents wrote a letter opposing the proposed rule.
“The Biden-Harris administration is denying educational opportunities to low-income children by drastically increasing the cost of Head Start. Even Head Start teachers have come out against this,” said Dr. Cassidy. “Children should have access to more educational opportunities, not less. This rule is deeply misguided, not to mention illegal.”
The new Biden-Harris rule mandates federally imposed wage increases for staff, including a $15 federal minimum wage for all support staff. This policy contradicts federal law where Congress set a wage range considering location and average compensation in the area. HHS estimates that the wage mandate could increase costs for Head Start programs by $116 million annually, reducing funded slots available to low-income children by 14 percent or 104,764 children.
For updates from HELP Republicans, visit their website or Twitter at @GOPHELP.
Alerts Sign-up