Political Quotes

“I rise in support of H.R. 5403, the Safe and Timely Interstate Placement of Foster Children Act of 2006. I am pleased to be a cosponsor of this bipartisan legislation, which is sponsored by Mr. DeLay. There are approximately 518,000 children currently in foster care. The legislation before us today is an important first step in our efforts to improve the structure that exists to find a family for these children in order to prevent them from needlessly lingering in foster care. Specifically, H.R. 5403 would encourage states to expedite the safe placement of foster and adoptive children into homes across state lines. The data suggest that it takes 2 years on average for foster or adoptive children to be placed in homes across state lines. That is longer than the average time frame for placing children in homes within the same states. Under this legislation, states would be required to establish procedures to ensure interstate placements occur within 60 days. The legislation also would authorize incentive payments to states that place children in safe homes within 30 days. Since we first began providing incentive payments to promote adoption in 1997, the number of adoptions of children from foster care has almost doubled. We expect this new incentive program will help expedite the safe placement of children lingering in foster care, especially when relatives or others have expressed an interest in providing a loving home.…”