Peggy Bailey
@peggybaileydc.bsky.social
@CenterOnBudget Executive VP of Policy and Program Development. Fighting for economic, health and housing justice. Tired dog mom, even more tired of excuses used to not help people eat, be healthy, and have a place to call home.
The drumbeat can't stop. Congress must extend the expanded health tax credits, install guardrails to stop the President from unilaterally undoing final appropriations agreements, & pass funding legislation that protects housing for formerly homeless folks & protects food asst.
@sharonparrott.bsky.social lifts up 2 key issues that remain unaddressed as the Senate considers bills to end the shutdown: the looming spike in health care costs for 20M ppl & the need for guardrails to stop the President from undoing parts of bipartisan funding laws www.cbpp.org/press/statem...
Beyond the Shutdown: Country Needs Congress and President to Address Health Care Cost Spikes and Rule of Law
Two fundamental issues remain unaddressed, and Congress needs to tackle them without delay.
www.cbpp.org
November 11, 2025 at 1:42 AM
The drumbeat can't stop. Congress must extend the expanded health tax credits, install guardrails to stop the President from unilaterally undoing final appropriations agreements, & pass funding legislation that protects housing for formerly homeless folks & protects food asst.
Remember the lesson to watch what people DO rather than what they SAY?
The Trump Admin has promised to help people afford basic needs like food, health care & housing but they are DOING the exact opposite.
No family needed to miss November SNAP benefits. USDA can fix this.
The Trump Admin has promised to help people afford basic needs like food, health care & housing but they are DOING the exact opposite.
No family needed to miss November SNAP benefits. USDA can fix this.
Why does a 50% cut to maximum SNAP benefits = a ~60% cut in average benefits?
A household's SNAP benefit = Maximum benefit - 30% of net income
Most SNAP households have some income & get less than the maximum. A 50% cut to the maximum is a much greater % cut to their benefits.
A household's SNAP benefit = Maximum benefit - 30% of net income
Most SNAP households have some income & get less than the maximum. A 50% cut to the maximum is a much greater % cut to their benefits.
We estimate that USDA’s plan will result in a roughly 60% cut in average benefits. Because of how the SNAP benefit calculation works, USDA's plan to cut maximum benefits for each household size by 50% results in a deeper cut to average benefits—and a much deeper cut than needed.
November 5, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Remember the lesson to watch what people DO rather than what they SAY?
The Trump Admin has promised to help people afford basic needs like food, health care & housing but they are DOING the exact opposite.
No family needed to miss November SNAP benefits. USDA can fix this.
The Trump Admin has promised to help people afford basic needs like food, health care & housing but they are DOING the exact opposite.
No family needed to miss November SNAP benefits. USDA can fix this.
Last Friday, the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) finally provided states guidance on how to implement the harsh, anti-immigrant restrictions to food assistance in the harmful Republican megabill.
fns-prod.azureedge.us
November 4, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Last Friday, the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) finally provided states guidance on how to implement the harsh, anti-immigrant restrictions to food assistance in the harmful Republican megabill.
Reposted by Peggy Bailey
Counterpoint airs Mondays 8-9:30pmET wpkn.org 89.5FM Bgpt #CT: @chadmarlow.bsky.social of @ACLU.org on Trump memo NSPM-7 authorizing fed investigations into opponents, perceived enemies; @peggybaileydc.bsky.social of @centeronbudget.bsky.social on govt shutdown, SNAP benefits & spike in ACA premiums
November 3, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Counterpoint airs Mondays 8-9:30pmET wpkn.org 89.5FM Bgpt #CT: @chadmarlow.bsky.social of @ACLU.org on Trump memo NSPM-7 authorizing fed investigations into opponents, perceived enemies; @peggybaileydc.bsky.social of @centeronbudget.bsky.social on govt shutdown, SNAP benefits & spike in ACA premiums
Reposted by Peggy Bailey
Doing the bare minimum because a court order forced their hand? That's not enough.
The Administration could & should use their legal transfer authority so low-income families receive full SNAP benefits for November—and full benefits could get to those families more quickly.⤵️
The Administration could & should use their legal transfer authority so low-income families receive full SNAP benefits for November—and full benefits could get to those families more quickly.⤵️
It is a relief that the Administration is finally agreeing to do the bare minimum and follow the law by using the #SNAP contingency reserve to partially fund November SNAP benefits & nutrition assistance in Puerto Rico & American Samoa.
November 3, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Doing the bare minimum because a court order forced their hand? That's not enough.
The Administration could & should use their legal transfer authority so low-income families receive full SNAP benefits for November—and full benefits could get to those families more quickly.⤵️
The Administration could & should use their legal transfer authority so low-income families receive full SNAP benefits for November—and full benefits could get to those families more quickly.⤵️
As @tyjonescox.bsky.social says in this @msnbc.com op-ed - “there is no need for more deliberation or clarification. The administration is sitting on billions in contingency funds and needs to release them.”
Opinion | The truth about who suffers from the White House's manufactured SNAP crisis
Opinion | The truth about who suffers from the White House's manufactured SNAP crisis
Opinion | The truth about who suffers from the White House’s manufactured SNAP crisis
To appreciate the seriousness of the situation, we need to understand whom SNAP helps and how.
www.msnbc.com
November 2, 2025 at 2:20 AM
As @tyjonescox.bsky.social says in this @msnbc.com op-ed - “there is no need for more deliberation or clarification. The administration is sitting on billions in contingency funds and needs to release them.”
Opinion | The truth about who suffers from the White House's manufactured SNAP crisis
Opinion | The truth about who suffers from the White House's manufactured SNAP crisis
As @tyjonescox.bsky.social says in this @msnbc.com op-ed - “there is no need for more deliberation or clarification. The administration is sitting on billions in contingency funds and needs to release them.”
www.msnbc.com
November 1, 2025 at 7:37 PM
As @tyjonescox.bsky.social says in this @msnbc.com op-ed - “there is no need for more deliberation or clarification. The administration is sitting on billions in contingency funds and needs to release them.”
The Administration is making a clear choice if it doesn't follow the law and use SNAP contingency reserves to help over 40 million families afford groceries. #shameful
Today’s rulings confirm what’s been clear all along: the Administration has been sitting on billions of available dollars that it is legally required to use to fund November benefits for the 1 in 8 Americans who need SNAP to afford their groceries.
October 31, 2025 at 8:36 PM
The Administration is making a clear choice if it doesn't follow the law and use SNAP contingency reserves to help over 40 million families afford groceries. #shameful
Watch @sharonparrott.bsky.social @centeronbudget.bsky.social explain what the Trump Administration should do to help families afford groceries & why there is no good excuse not to use SNAP contingency reserves.
Millions face losing SNAP benefits as shutdown continues with no end in sight
YouTube video by PBS NewsHour
youtu.be
October 29, 2025 at 1:40 AM
Watch @sharonparrott.bsky.social @centeronbudget.bsky.social explain what the Trump Administration should do to help families afford groceries & why there is no good excuse not to use SNAP contingency reserves.
It couldn't be clearer. The Trump Administration MUST use contingency reserves for SNAP benefits during the shutdown. It is the law & precedent.
The Administration's choice treats people like political pawns rather than people who simply need help affording groceries.
The Administration's choice treats people like political pawns rather than people who simply need help affording groceries.
The Trump Administration’s assertion that it can't use SNAP’s contingency reserves for SNAP benefits is contrary to:
▪️The plain language of the law
▪️Their own (now deleted) shutdown plan
▪️Guidance from prior Administrations
We have the receipts:
▪️The plain language of the law
▪️Their own (now deleted) shutdown plan
▪️Guidance from prior Administrations
We have the receipts:
SNAP’s Contingency Reserve Is Available for Regular SNAP Benefits, as USDA and OMB Have Ruled in Past
The Administration must use all available options to fund November benefits for the 1 in 8 people in the U.S. who need SNAP to afford their grocery bill.
www.cbpp.org
October 27, 2025 at 8:55 PM
It couldn't be clearer. The Trump Administration MUST use contingency reserves for SNAP benefits during the shutdown. It is the law & precedent.
The Administration's choice treats people like political pawns rather than people who simply need help affording groceries.
The Administration's choice treats people like political pawns rather than people who simply need help affording groceries.
Pitting families’ and their basic needs against each other is crazy in the richest country on earth. People need food & healthcare (& housing). Fighting for it all is common sense.
This article by @gennacontino.bsky.social @marketwatch.com highlights this point.
This article by @gennacontino.bsky.social @marketwatch.com highlights this point.
Why Nov. 1 is a make-or-break day for millions of Americans’ finances
If the government shutdown stretches beyond October, experts warn that Nov. 1 could mark a grim cutoff for low- and middle-income families.
www.marketwatch.com
October 25, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Pitting families’ and their basic needs against each other is crazy in the richest country on earth. People need food & healthcare (& housing). Fighting for it all is common sense.
This article by @gennacontino.bsky.social @marketwatch.com highlights this point.
This article by @gennacontino.bsky.social @marketwatch.com highlights this point.
The very definition of a contingency fund is to be there in case an emergency pops up. That is what Congress intended and what the Administration is legal bound to do.
Legal expert David Super @davidasuper.bsky.social explains.
Legal expert David Super @davidasuper.bsky.social explains.
DavidASuper on X: "My latest on the Administration's outrageously illegal shutdown of SNAP. Their argument ignores the interpretation on their website just days ago and the first Trump Administration. Balkinization: The Administration’s Shutdown of SNAP is Obviously Illegal https://t.co/skYVkGuOxI" / X
My latest on the Administration's outrageously illegal shutdown of SNAP. Their argument ignores the interpretation on their website just days ago and the first Trump Administration. Balkinization: The Administration’s Shutdown of SNAP is Obviously Illegal https://t.co/skYVkGuOxI
x.com
October 25, 2025 at 5:04 PM
The very definition of a contingency fund is to be there in case an emergency pops up. That is what Congress intended and what the Administration is legal bound to do.
Legal expert David Super @davidasuper.bsky.social explains.
Legal expert David Super @davidasuper.bsky.social explains.
Here @citizencohn.bsky.social with @thebulwark.com clearly explains that only citizens & people w/lawful immigration status would benefit from efforts to reverse the Republican mega bill health coverage cuts & enhanced ACA premium tax credits.
What to Say When MAGA Lies About Health Care
YouTube video by The Bulwark
youtu.be
October 2, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Here @citizencohn.bsky.social with @thebulwark.com clearly explains that only citizens & people w/lawful immigration status would benefit from efforts to reverse the Republican mega bill health coverage cuts & enhanced ACA premium tax credits.
“We need to have assurances that once we come to a deal, they’re not going to step in and say, ‘Sorry, no deal."
This has to be fundamental in the final package.
This has to be fundamental in the final package.
The other reason Democrats are taking Trump to the mat in a shutdown battle
Health care assistance is their No. 1 demand, but Democrats are battling over something even more fundamental.
www.politico.com
September 30, 2025 at 9:44 PM
“We need to have assurances that once we come to a deal, they’re not going to step in and say, ‘Sorry, no deal."
This has to be fundamental in the final package.
This has to be fundamental in the final package.
Saying this louder for the people in the back!
"Only U.S. citizens & people w/ lawful immigration status would benefit from efforts to reverse health cuts in the Republican megabill & extend premium tax credit enhancements."
The Democrats' proposal doesn't change this.
"Only U.S. citizens & people w/ lawful immigration status would benefit from efforts to reverse health cuts in the Republican megabill & extend premium tax credit enhancements."
The Democrats' proposal doesn't change this.
As Democrats push to reverse the megabill’s health care cuts and stop imminent cost increases in the marketplaces, Republicans have made false claims about who would benefit from these restorations in affordable health coverage. www.americanprogressaction.org/article/repu...
Republicans Are Telling Lies About Undocumented Immigrants To Deflect Blame for Health Care Cost Increases They Supported
Republican inaction on premium tax credits will cause health insurance costs to soar for more than 20 million people.
www.americanprogressaction.org
September 30, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Saying this louder for the people in the back!
"Only U.S. citizens & people w/ lawful immigration status would benefit from efforts to reverse health cuts in the Republican megabill & extend premium tax credit enhancements."
The Democrats' proposal doesn't change this.
"Only U.S. citizens & people w/ lawful immigration status would benefit from efforts to reverse health cuts in the Republican megabill & extend premium tax credit enhancements."
The Democrats' proposal doesn't change this.
Excited to join @staciberger.bsky.social, Adam Gordon @fairsharehousing.bsky.social, Bob Kim @edlawcenter.bsky.social & Jesselly De La Cruz Latino Action Foundation Network on Oct. 15 for 4th Crossroads NJ Conversation to discuss solutions for New Jersey’s housing, land use, & education challenges.
The Future of Housing and Education in New Jersey
Join us on October 15 at Princeton University for a powerful panel on housing and education—part of the 2025 Crossroads NJ Conversations.
tinyurl.com
September 25, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Excited to join @staciberger.bsky.social, Adam Gordon @fairsharehousing.bsky.social, Bob Kim @edlawcenter.bsky.social & Jesselly De La Cruz Latino Action Foundation Network on Oct. 15 for 4th Crossroads NJ Conversation to discuss solutions for New Jersey’s housing, land use, & education challenges.
As @kevinlindamood.bsky.social from Baltimore Health Care for the Homeless and @nhchc.bsky.social says in this article.
“By helping people get and keep housing, we improved their health and reduced public costs. THESE SERVICES SAVE LIVES.”
“By helping people get and keep housing, we improved their health and reduced public costs. THESE SERVICES SAVE LIVES.”
Trump’s Medicaid Cuts Could Hamper Efforts to House the Homeless
www.nytimes.com
September 21, 2025 at 12:15 PM
As @kevinlindamood.bsky.social from Baltimore Health Care for the Homeless and @nhchc.bsky.social says in this article.
“By helping people get and keep housing, we improved their health and reduced public costs. THESE SERVICES SAVE LIVES.”
“By helping people get and keep housing, we improved their health and reduced public costs. THESE SERVICES SAVE LIVES.”
Understanding government effectiveness starts with collecting the data. Hard not to see this as the Administration anticipating that they will want to hide the impact of their policy actions from the public.
Congress must act to protect government accountability.
Congress must act to protect government accountability.
The Administration acknowledged that it will stop the survey that measures food insecurity, just as tariffs push up food prices and the deep cuts to food assistance enacted in July start to take effect. Congress must intervene to save these vital data. www.wsj.com/economy/trum...
Exclusive | Trump Administration Cancels Annual Hunger Survey
The government has been measuring food insecurity since the mid-1990s but now says the report has become “overly politicized.”
www.wsj.com
September 21, 2025 at 12:27 AM
Understanding government effectiveness starts with collecting the data. Hard not to see this as the Administration anticipating that they will want to hide the impact of their policy actions from the public.
Congress must act to protect government accountability.
Congress must act to protect government accountability.
Passing appropriations bills or a CR with no promise that ‘a deal is a deal’ ignores reality.
Reality is how helping people and carrying out the basic functions of gov’t are getting tougher as more & more harm is caused by executive actions that should lie with Congress.
Reality is how helping people and carrying out the basic functions of gov’t are getting tougher as more & more harm is caused by executive actions that should lie with Congress.
“Regular Order” Means Bipartisan Negotiations and a Deal That Sticks | Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
Members of Congress should not be expected to cast their votes for compromise bipartisan legislation only to have it undone through unlawful or partisan actions.
www.cbpp.org
September 17, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Passing appropriations bills or a CR with no promise that ‘a deal is a deal’ ignores reality.
Reality is how helping people and carrying out the basic functions of gov’t are getting tougher as more & more harm is caused by executive actions that should lie with Congress.
Reality is how helping people and carrying out the basic functions of gov’t are getting tougher as more & more harm is caused by executive actions that should lie with Congress.
Black unemployment rates are the canary in the coal mine and Black women are feeling the negatives of what’s likely coming first. My @centeronbudget.bsky.social colleague @gbenga-ajilore.bsky.social explains.
Data shows us that Black women are disproportionately impacted by federal workforce cuts.
Why is this the case? CBPP Chief Economist @gbenga-ajilore.bsky.social provides analysis on the August #JobsReport released this morning. www.youtube.com/shorts/3R8t4...
Why is this the case? CBPP Chief Economist @gbenga-ajilore.bsky.social provides analysis on the August #JobsReport released this morning. www.youtube.com/shorts/3R8t4...
Black Women Have Been Hit Hard By Federal Workforce Cuts According to August Jobs Report
YouTube video by Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
www.youtube.com
September 5, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Black unemployment rates are the canary in the coal mine and Black women are feeling the negatives of what’s likely coming first. My @centeronbudget.bsky.social colleague @gbenga-ajilore.bsky.social explains.
Happy #NationalDogDay! Love my Lily!
August 26, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Happy #NationalDogDay! Love my Lily!
According to @calbudgetcenter.org the costs of criminalizing homelessness include:
• Jail: $300 per person/day ($109,000 for a year)
• ER visits: $2,000–$3,500 per visit
• Encampment sweeps: $1,200+ per action, not including clean-up or legal costs.
• Jail: $300 per person/day ($109,000 for a year)
• ER visits: $2,000–$3,500 per visit
• Encampment sweeps: $1,200+ per action, not including clean-up or legal costs.
What criminalizing homelessness and addiction costs
As cities turn to enforcement, Alameda County faces the true cost of criminalizing homelessness When city crews cleared the sprawling Wood Street encampment in May last year, officials pointed to fire...
www.pleasantonweekly.com
August 26, 2025 at 1:34 AM
According to @calbudgetcenter.org the costs of criminalizing homelessness include:
• Jail: $300 per person/day ($109,000 for a year)
• ER visits: $2,000–$3,500 per visit
• Encampment sweeps: $1,200+ per action, not including clean-up or legal costs.
• Jail: $300 per person/day ($109,000 for a year)
• ER visits: $2,000–$3,500 per visit
• Encampment sweeps: $1,200+ per action, not including clean-up or legal costs.
Alex Visotzky @naehomelessness.bsky.social explains:
No one wants to see encampments. They are a sign that we have not succeeded in connecting folks to housing & services. But there’s a human-centered, trauma-informed way to approach moving folks back into housing.
www.pbs.org/newshour/nat...
No one wants to see encampments. They are a sign that we have not succeeded in connecting folks to housing & services. But there’s a human-centered, trauma-informed way to approach moving folks back into housing.
www.pbs.org/newshour/nat...
Trump wants to clear homeless encampments. Here’s what usually happens, according to experts
Clearing encampments is part of a wider push across the country by Democrats and Republican lawmakers alike to take drastic action to reduce homelessness, but experts say it's usually misguided.
www.pbs.org
August 26, 2025 at 12:36 AM
Alex Visotzky @naehomelessness.bsky.social explains:
No one wants to see encampments. They are a sign that we have not succeeded in connecting folks to housing & services. But there’s a human-centered, trauma-informed way to approach moving folks back into housing.
www.pbs.org/newshour/nat...
No one wants to see encampments. They are a sign that we have not succeeded in connecting folks to housing & services. But there’s a human-centered, trauma-informed way to approach moving folks back into housing.
www.pbs.org/newshour/nat...
Right! Police action and forceable moving people from parks DOESN’T solve homelessness. It only hurts people who need help paying the rent and a health system that works. And now stressing a community’s resources who does things the right way.
Sat, 08/23/25
Influx of homeless from DC could strain state shelters
digitaledition.capitalgazette.com
August 23, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Right! Police action and forceable moving people from parks DOESN’T solve homelessness. It only hurts people who need help paying the rent and a health system that works. And now stressing a community’s resources who does things the right way.
“SNAP is irreplaceable.” @hsph.harvard.edu
SNAP funding cuts threaten food security, health | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Harvard Chan School's Erica Kenney and Cindy Leung share their reactions to the massive spending cut to SNAP and discuss the implications for SNAP recipients.
hsph.harvard.edu
August 23, 2025 at 12:48 AM
“SNAP is irreplaceable.” @hsph.harvard.edu