This bill makes sure Head Start programs keep running without interruption if the government shuts down at the start of 2026. Head Start is a federal program that provides early childhood education and support services—including education, health care, nutrition, and social services—to children from low-income families to help them get ready for school.

Normally, when Congress doesn't pass a budget by the deadline, the government shuts down and many programs stop receiving money. This bill prevents that from happening to Head Start by automatically providing funding to keep the programs going. The funding would continue until one of three things happens: Congress passes a new budget that includes Head Start funding, Congress passes a budget that doesn't include Head Start (which would end the program), or September 30, 2026 arrives—whichever comes first. Essentially, this is a safety net to ensure that low-income families don't lose access to these early childhood services during budget disputes in Washington.

Keep Head Start Funded Act of 2025

Baldwin, Tammy

Keep Head Start Funded Act of 2025This 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.&nbsp;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<ul><li>the enactment into law of legislation that provides appropriations (including continuing appropriations) for Head Start,</li><li>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</li><li>September 30, 2026.</li></ul>This bill must take effect as if it had been enacted on September 30, 2025.&nbsp;