Angie Craig: “the Senate, by this action, has just passed a major reform in the foster care of this country, an issue that bipartisan…”

“the Senate, by this action, has just passed a major reform in the foster care of this country, an issue that bipartisan Senators have gathered on over the last several months to resolve. Senator Roth, of the Finance Committee, in the last several weeks, working with Senator Rockefeller, Senator Chafee, myself, Senator Coats, and Senator DeWine have taken on an effort to reform foster care in this country by the proposal of this legislation that we have now gained the concurrence of the Senate on. It is without question, in my opinion, a landmark piece of legislation because what it does, for the first time, is use foster care the way we intended it originally to be used. It ensures the safety for abused and neglected children. It promotes adoption. It accelerates permanent placement. It offers to children of this country in need an opportunity for a loving and permanent home. And it increases the accountability of reform. I am extremely pleased that at this late hour we could finally bring about a conclusion to this effort.”