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CWLA Demands That Congress Make Children A Priority Criticizing Congressional Spending Cuts That Target Abused And Neglected Children
For more information, contact
Joyce Johnson
Phone: 804/492-4519
Cell: 703/980-7641
E-mail: jjohnson@cwla.org
December 21, 2005, Washington, DC -- The Child Welfare League of America is outraged at members of Congress who supported a budget bill that includes over one half billion dollars in cuts in federal aid for abused and neglected children being cared for by grandparents and other relatives.
The Senate approved the bill as amended today, while the House approved the bill early Monday morning. The House will now need to vote on the Senate approved bill.
The budget bill is intended to curb $40 billion in guaranteed federal spending on low-income programs that address the needs of children, families and others in need. Spending cuts for these services come as Congress is about to cut more than $60 billion in taxes.
Shay Bilchik, President and CEO of the Child Welfare League of America stated that "These actions are inexcusable and clearly reveal the skewed priorities of this Congress. Unfortunately, many members of Congress view these actions as the only way to cut federal spending. CWLA continues to demand that Congress fully examine and address the needs of the 800,000 children who are abused and neglected each year."
The budget bill also includes cuts to other crucial services for children and families including Medicaid and child support enforcement. The bill also imposes additional work requirements for people receiving federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families while failing to address the need for families needing additional child care services.
"Children should not come out on the losing end when Congress is preparing to pass additional tax cuts for the nation's wealthiest citizens," said Bilchik.
Since 1920, The Child Welfare League of America (CWLA) has been the nation's pre-eminent membership-based organization dedicated to ensuring that disadvantaged and vulnerable children are protected from harm and have the tools and resources they need to grow into the healthy and happy adults we want them to become. CWLA is the trusted authority for professionals who work with children and the only national organization with 900 public and private member agencies working across all sectors of the children's services field.
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