Government Spending on Babies is Not Meeting Their Needs, Say Advocates

The report also makes clear that underfunding is part of a years-long trend: From FY 2021 to FY 2025, the share of federal spending on babies fell nearly 20% — from 1.98% of the federal budget to just 1.59%. This decline was driven by the expiration of important child-centered programs, such as the fully refundable Child Tax Credit, the expanded Child Care and Development Block Grant, and the Child Care Stabilization Fund. Together, Medicaid and SNAP account for nearly half of all federal spending on infants, babies and toddlers, so these historic cuts disproportionately impact them. “Babies in the Budget 2025,” released by First Focus on Children, is available at firstfocus.org. “Giving babies a strong, fair start isn’t optional — it’s essential for America’s future,” says First Focus on Children President Bruce Lesley.