The Cliffhanger: What Will Become of Challenge Grants and Home Visitation?

A few weeks ago, we wrote about the imperiled fate of the proposed Early Learning Challenge Grants — a competitive federal grant program that would provide winning states with funding to improve quality and access to child care and pre-K programs for disadvantaged children, birth to 5. Today, it’s becoming clear that Congress’s machinations over health-care reform could determine whether this program passes this year.

Even before the latest developments, the health care bill was already a nail-biter for early childhood advocates. That’s because the bill, in both the House and Senate versions, includes “home visitation” — a popular and research-based support program for low-income pregnant mothers, new mothers and babies.

Now both of these eagerly awaited programs for young children — home visitation and the challenge grants — may hinge on whether health care passes through the convoluted process of reconciliation. Why? Remember that the challenge grant program is part of the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act, which passed the House in September. When budget rules were set last year, the Senate left open the possibility that it could be passed using the “reconciliation” process that requires a 51-vote majority instead of a filibuster-proof 60 votes. Now that Democratic lawmakers are preparing to use reconciliation to move the health care bill, they are seriously considering whether the student aid bill should come along for the ride. That is, unless the unwise opposition of a few Democratic senators prevents the two bills from being hitched. (Our colleagues at Higher Ed Watch called the senator’s actions shameful and we agree.)

The drama over the health care bill was already keeping us at the edge of our seats. Now the cliffhanger is upon us. We’ll keep you posted as we hear about developments over the next week.