He understands that our people are our greatest asset and will lead CBPP’s work to recruit and support talented and diverse staff who are empowered to advance our mission.

Larry is an accomplished people leader and brings over 30 years of deep expertise, a commitment to equity and inclusion, and a focus on partnering with other leaders to promote strong engagement, belonging, and growth across our staff community.

CBPP Announces New Chief People and Culture Officer The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) announced today that Dr. Larry LaDell Robertson has joined the organization as Chief People and Culture Officer, following a national search....

I’m thrilled to welcome Larry LaDell Robertson to the @CenterOnBudget as our new Chief People and Culture Officer! www.cbpp.org/press/press-...

The Republican megabill’s deep cuts to SNAP are already costing ppl food assistance -- 2.5M fewer ppl received SNAP between the law’s enactment in Jul 2025 & Dec 2025. New @centeronbudget.bsky.social interactive tracks the decline in SNAP participation in every state: www.cbpp.org/research/foo...

My full statement on President Trump's 2027 budget proposal: www.cbpp.org/press/statem...

Stay tuned – more analysis coming.

…and massive tax cuts over the last two decades have robbed us of the resources needed to tackle these problems with creativity and boldness. This budget provides no roadmap for seizing opportunities and addressing challenges. It is fundamentally unserious.

Bottom line: The nation faces enormous opportunities and challenges. Too many people struggle to afford the basics, inequality is glaringly large, AI holds promise and the possibility of dislocation, we need a clean energy transition to address demand and costs,…

What else is missing? The budget lays out no serious plan to address our fiscal challenges, which last year's megabill (HR 1) made worse to the tune of $3.4 trillion over a decade.

What are the priorities identified? Massive defense funding increase; deployment of huge HR 1 immigration dragnet $$; cuts in a range of areas that matter to families & a view that we should cede control of the energy transition innovation runway to our int’l competitors.

First, the budget lacks any commitment let alone policy ideas to address families’ struggles to afford housing, health care, food, utilities, and child care. Stunning given where the public is focused.

A few initial thoughts on the President’s FY27 budget. Big picture: Today’s budget isn’t a serious plan to address real issues facing families and the nation and isn’t worthy of the American people.

We’ll be giving real-time commentary and analysis of tonight’s speech so be sure to follow along using #CBPPSOTU. And check back for more analysis on the President’s budget in the coming weeks.

…And advancing policies that help make it easier for people to afford rent and utilities, buy food, and go to the doctor.

Trump Administration, Congressional Republicans Are Worsening Affordability Challenges in Many Ways A look at the Trump Administration’s policy choices and priorities demonstrate that the Administration and congressional Republicans have taken action after action that has or will raise the cost of g...

Addressing affordability starts with abandoning Admin policies that have raised costs for families… www.cbpp.org/research/pov...

The megabill singled out immigrants w/ lawful status & their families for particularly harsh cuts and pumped $170 billion into an immigration detention and removal dragnet that is violating basic rights, terrorizing communities, and making people less safe.

The Republican megabill signed into law in July included deep cuts to SNAP, Medicaid and ACA marketplaces, taking food assistance and health care away from people who need it. All to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy.

2 questions to ask about the agenda the President lays out:

- Does it undo the harm already inflicted?

- Does it further hurt families’ ability to afford the basics?

Tonight, during the State of the Union address, we’ll hear President Trump’s priorities for the year ahead. It’s worth comparing what he says to the extreme actions his Administration took last year.

And as CBPP’s new Vice President for Communications, Michele will lead the communications team and work with leaders across the organization to guide the Center’s use of strategic communications to shape the public debate and advance the organization’s policy goals.

Shannon brings to this new role a focused vision for communications and storytelling. Her proven ability to develop effective messaging, manage complex issues, and elevate CBPP's research while centering people will be invaluable.

CBPP Announces New Roles on Leadership Team The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) announced today the promotion of two exceptional leaders to new roles: Shannon Buckingham as Executive Vice President for Communications and External....

I’m thrilled to announce two new roles on @centeronbudget.bsky.social's leadership team: Shannon Buckingham as Executive Vice President for Communications and External Affairs and Michele Vaughn as Vice President for Communications: www.cbpp.org/press/press-...

If a lapse in DHS funding dragged on, problems would mount including delays in pay – but there is no reason for a lapse to be long-lived if policymakers get to work on addressing the need for guardrails to protect people’s basic rights and safety.

The Admin’s lapse plan also shows that about 95% of Coast Guard employees stay on the job if funding lapses.

Take FEMA. Its work providing disaster aid through the Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) continues & 84% of all FEMA staff continue to work during a lapse, according to the admin’s lapse plan. There was more than $20B in the DRF at the end of December.

Second, if the DHS funding bill lapses, there are unlikely to be serious issues in the near term. Many agencies within DHS have funds still available to them, and much of DHS's work continues during a funding lapse.

First, there is no sound reason for Congress not to pass the 5 funding bills that continue to have bipartisan, bicameral support. The Senate should pass those bills & the House should cut short its break and do the same.

Reworking the DHS funding bill to better protect public safety does not need to cause major harm within DHS or the government agencies covered by the other 5 funding bills, *if* Rs are prepared to govern responsibly. Claims to the contrary are an admission of sorts.

Our democracy depends on Congress exercising its authority & the executive branch following the law, and both branches working in service and protection of the people.

This use of the budget process is central to Congress’s constitutional power of the purse, its responsibility to provide oversight of the federal government, & the system of checks and balances that is a foundation of our democracy.