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County staff warn Head Start, Medicaid could be affected by federal reconciliation and rescissions push
Summary
County legislative consultants told the committee that a House reconciliation package and a pending White House rescissions submission could affect Medicaid and Head Start funding; consultants urged local advocacy and sharing county impact data with members of Congress.
County legislative consultants briefed the Alameda County Personnel, Administration and Legislation Committee on April 28 about federal activity that could affect local programs, warning that proposed budget changes at the federal level could put Medicaid and Head Start at risk.
Emily Bauke Da Silva of CJ Lake summarized House action, saying the chamber has scheduled multiple committee markups this week on a reconciliation package she identified as “renewing the American dream act,” and that members are also preparing Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolutions targeting several California regulations. “The CRA … enables Congress to review and overturn new regulations,” she said, and noted CRA resolutions this week would target rules including zero-emission truck mandates and California’s vehicle electrification standards.
John Assini, also with CJ Lake, said the White House is expected to send a rescissions package to Capitol Hill this week “totaling approximately $9.3 billion” in proposed spending cuts, with most reductions aimed at foreign aid and other program areas. He said the administration may also issue an executive order directing agencies to identify jurisdictions allegedly not complying with federal immigration laws. Assini said congressional leaders may seek a floor vote in the near term.
Supervisor Nikki Fortunato Bass pressed staff about local impacts. “We’re looking very closely at what the impacts will be to Medicaid,” she said. Staff replied that Head Start funding is uncertain: it could be included in a rescissions package or may appear as a zeroed-out line in the FY2026 budget request. “There is a likely inclusion of that program being zeroed out in the budget request,” Assini said, but he added that Congress ultimately decides appropriations and that members who represent affected constituencies typically face pressure to restore funding.
County staff recommended continued monitoring and advocacy, and urged compiling local data to show how many children and families would be affected if Head Start or other programs were cut. Committee members signaled support for county advocacy: Chair Tam said the county would move forward on the requested federal advocacy for Head Start and related priorities.
The consultants paused for questions and said they would update the committee as markups and any rescissions language become public.
