Rep. Tim Griffin (R-Ark.) voted on Tuesday to pass the Head Start for Low-Income Families bill, which would provide appropriations to keep Head Start running during the federal government shutdown.
The Head Start programs provide early education to low-income families. Its services include health, nutrition and social services, as well as education and cognitive development programs.
The bill provides funding at the same rate as the previous year. In fiscal year 2013, Head Start received approximately $7.6 billion, according to the Washington Post.
“Hardworking Americans are looking to Washington for a solution to the government shutdown,” Griffin said. “That’s why I support this legislation that will keep the Head Start program funded and keep families from suffering from the shutdown.”
Chairman of the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations subcommittee Rep. Ander Crenshaw (R-Fl.) also voted for the bill. Crenshaw said educating our nation’s youngest should not fall victim to the government shutdown.
The bill passed the House on Tuesday with a vote of 248 to 168 and awaits approval in the Senate.
The Head Start for Low-Income Families bill is the tenth bill to be passed by the House to keep critical programs running during the government shutdown.