S. 3147 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, Nov 6, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryKeeps Head Start funded during budget gaps
Head Start programs provide early childhood education and services like meals and health care to low-income children to help them start school ready to learn. This bill makes sure Head Start keeps getting money for the 2026 fiscal year even if Congress doesn't pass a full budget on time, which can happen during government shutdowns. The funding lasts until either Congress passes a regular budget, or until September 30, 2026, whichever comes first.
How it affects you
Families with young children in Head Start programs benefit directly, as their kids' schools and services won't face interruptions if there's a gap in government funding. Teachers and staff at Head Start centers also know their programs will continue operating during budget delays.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, Nov 6, 2025)
Keep Head Start Funded Act of 2025
This bill provides FY2026 continuing appropriations to carry out Head Start programs without interruption during any period in which interim or full-year appropriations for FY2026 are not in effect (i.e., a government shutdown).
The Head Start programs provide comprehensive early childhood education and development services to low-income children. The programs seek to promote school readiness through the provision of educational, health, nutritional, social, and other services.
This bill provides FY2026 appropriations to continue projects and activities under the programs that were funded in FY2025. The appropriations are available until the earliest of
• the enactment into law of legislation that provides appropriations (including continuing appropriations) for Head Start,
• the enactment into law of legislation that provides regular or continuing appropriations for the Department of Health and Human Services without an appropriation for Head Start, or
• September 30, 2026.
This bill must take effect as if it had been enacted on September 30, 2025.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionS. 3147
A BILL
Keep Head Start Funded Act of 2025
Sponsor: Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) · Introduced Nov 6, 2025 · Education · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Nov 6, 2025: “Read twice and referred to the Committee on Appropriations.”