S. 556 would reauthorize the Head Start program through 2012 and authorize two new,
related grant programs. Head Start was authorized through 2003 by the Coats Human
Services Reauthorization Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-285) and has since been extended
through annual appropriation acts.

CBO estimates that the bill would authorize additional appropriations of $6.1 billion in 2008
and $38.6 billion over the 2008-2012 period, assuming that annual authorizations are
adjusted for inflation when specific annual appropriation levels are not provided. (Without
such inflation adjustments, the authorizations would total about $38.1 billion over the 2008-
2012 period.) CBO estimates that appropriation of the authorized levels would result in
additional outlays of $34.5 billion over the 2008-2012 period, assuming annual adjustments
for inflation (and about $34.2 billion without adjustments for inflation).

Congressional Budget Cost Estimate, March 21.