Political Quotes

“Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 1091, as amended, the Supporting Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Act. This bill will provide support to the millions of grandparents and other older caregivers across the country who are raising children. As my colleague, Mr. Lewis, mentioned, more than 2.5 million grandparents are raising their grandchildren across the Nation today. Child welfare experts agree that substance use disorders, especially addiction to opioids, are behind much of the growing number of grandparents raising their grandchildren. Raising grandchildren can dramatically alter the lives of these grandparents, who can sometimes be overwhelmed by the unique challenges they face as they adapt to their new roles and responsibilities. The Supporting Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Act would create an advisory council charged with identifying best practices, resources, and other tools to help grandparents and other older caregivers address common challenges when raising children. This might include how to navigate a school system or access healthcare. This information is vital and will prove to be lifesaving to grandparents striving to care both for themselves and for their families. Madam Speaker, I thank Senator Susan Collins and Senator Bob Casey for their work on this bill, and I thank Congressman McGovern, Congressman King, and Congressman Lewis for their leadership in the House.…”