Ron Wyden

Using, in effect, ham-fisted methods for screening applications that basically let them just pile up.

The Inspector General's audit that spurred our inquiry found zero evidence of targeting or political bias.

Not one employee--not one--said there was any political bias.

The American people overwhelmingly disapprove of the Citizens United decision.

What we found on a bipartisan basis was alarming bureaucratic dysfunction.

I believe the way the IRS handled the 501(c)(4) applications was an unmitigated disaster.

If there is no oversight of who receives 501(c)(4) status, then political spending will be hidden even deeper in the shadows.

I know that Senator Wyden is planning to introduce legislation which would allow Federal funds to be used for services to help families stay safely together.

We are grateful to Senator Wyden for seeking input on his May discussion draft, carefully tailoring the current legislation, and incorporating recommendations from DAI and other child welfare organizations into S. 1964.

This is not in any way a condemnation of foster care.

I look back at those debates in the 1990s, and the seniors said then that they thought kinship care was going to make a big difference.

Thank you, Senator Wyden. The Family Stability and Kinship Care Act proposed is an encouraging measure.

This hearing is part of a bipartisan process to improve outcomes for vulnerable children and families.

I commend him for it, and I want the chairman and colleagues on both sides of the aisle to know I think we have an opportunity to rise to the occasion again.

Strong families mean strong kids. That is the bottom line.

Most youngsters in foster care are not there because of physical or sexual abuse.

Strong families mean strong kids. That's the bottom line.

I look forward to working with him and any other members of the committee on legislation that would reduce the reliance on foster care group homes and allow States to use their Federal foster care dollars for these prevention services.

So here we are in 2015, and I think we have an opportunity, as Chairman Hatch just suggested, for going even further to help these youngsters thrive with kin.

Helping my mom . . . helping my dad . . . helping my family.

I want to make it clear that this is in no way a condemnation of foster care.

In my judgment, every single one of those avenues ought to be explored before breaking the family apart.

I commend you for that. I look forward to building on that partnership.

Thanks very much for your years of good work, and I would just like to note, Mr. Chairman, that as we go forward under your leadership to work on this in a bipartisan way, the ideas that this panel has offered, these are not big, expensive…

I want to thank Chairman Hatch for holding this hearing.