Political Quotes

“I rise today in support of the Child and Family Services Improvement and Innovation Act, which this Chamber adopted late last night by unanimous consent. The bill demonstrates that improving the lives of vulnerable children remains a national priority. In the midst of deficit panels and continuing resolutions and fear of government shutdown, Congress came together to pass this bipartisan, bicameral legislation and that is illustrative of our concern for the needs of children. This legislation also reinforces our recognition of the need for flexibility and accountability. We must enable public agencies to be responsible stewards of public funds, manage performance, innovate and enhance their ability to achieve positive outcomes. The underlying law we reauthorized could not be more aptly named: Promoting Safe and Stable Families. I am particularly pleased that this bill continues to stress the importance of kinship care. This is something I know a little bit about. In the 1996 welfare reform bill, I successfully fought for the inclusion of an amendment with, Senator Coats, to ensure that relatives be given preference over stranger caregivers when the state determined where to place a child who had been removed from the home.…”