starts with you
Keeping up with the federal budgeting and appropriations process can feel overwhelming! While things don't always go as planned, this general timeline will help guide your advocacy efforts in the right direction throughout the year!
legislative timeline
July-february
Budget Formation and Budget Submission
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) gives guidance to federal agencies about levels of funding and priorities. Agencies work to structure a budget proposal and the OMB makes the final decision. Generally, the President's Budget is submitted to Congress around the 1st Monday in February.
Executive Branch Process
March-june
House and Senate Budgets and Appropriations Process
The House and Senate develop their own budget resolutions to set spending levels. These will often deviate from each other as well as from the President's request. The House and Senate Appropriations Committees, through their 12 subcommittees, hold hearings to examine the budget requests and needs of federal spending programs. The House and Senate then produce appropriations bills to fund the federal government. These bills are "marked-up," amended as needed, and approved by the Appropriations Committees.
Legislative Proceedings
July-october
Floor Consideration and
Final Passage
After approval by the Appropriations Committees, the bills head to the House and Senate floors where they may be further amended and eventually passed. Once a final bill has been negotiated between the two chambers, it must then pass the House and Senate and be signed by the President.
Finalization
in Congress
Language Education at a Crossroads: The Data Behind the Advocacy
Language education programs across the U.S.—from elementary classrooms to college campuses—are facing mounting challenges, from enrollment declines to staffing shortages and reduced institutional support. To advocate effectively, we must lead with evidence.
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Our latest national surveys provide critical, firsthand data from educators and institutions on the current state of language education—and what must happen next.
K–12 Language
Education Survey
This report captures a nationwide snapshot of K–12 world language programs, highlighting challenges, innovative practices, and actionable strategies to protect and strengthen language learning for students.
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Higher Education Language Survey
Based on responses from colleges and universities across the country, this report outlines the pressures facing higher education language programs—and offers a roadmap for data-driven advocacy and institutional action.
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​👉 Read the Higher Education Survey Findings & Recommendations
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Federal advocacy Resources
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JNCL-NCLIS Guides:
Communicating for success
