Debt Limit Updates
Each week we draw closer to reaching the debt limit, which Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen has estimated will happen on or about June 1, 2023, just a few
Recruiting Families Using Data Act Introduced
On April 27, 2023, Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) reintroduced bipartisan legislation to improve recruitment, retention, and support for foster parents.
Fostering Youth Transitions 2023
The Annie E. Casey Foundation released a new data brief, “Fostering Youth Transitions 2023: State and National Data to Drive Foster Care Advocacy,” on
Bipartisan Demand for Investments in Youngest Children
ZERO TO THREE and Morning Consult released new poll findings showing that the vast majority of parents of infants and toddlers believe that addressing
Debt Limit Debate Continues
Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen announced on May 1 that the nation could hit its existing debt ceiling as soon as June 1, 2023,
Welfare Programs Reduce Disparities in Child Brain Development: Study
A new study from researchers at Harvard and Washington University in St. Louis and supported by the National Institutes of Health (NI), suggest that
House Passes Debt Ceiling Bill
On Wednesday, April 26th, 2023, House Republicans passed their budget and debt limit bill along party lines. As noted
Child Care for Working Families Act
Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and Representative Bobby Scott (D-VA) reintroduced the Child Care for Working Families Act (CCWFA) on April 27th. Introduced every Congress
Speaker McCarthy Unveils Budget and Debt Ceiling Bill
On Wednesday, April 19th, 2023, House Republicans unveiled legislation that would pair lifting the debt ceiling with steep budget cuts and budget caps for the
Testimony Regarding the TANF Program
On April 12, 2023, CWLA submitted testimony for the record on the House Ways and Means Work and Welfare Subcommittee Hearing, “Welfare is Broken:
Oversight of the ORR Unaccompanied Children Program
On April 18, 2023, the Committee on Oversight and Accountability held a hearing concerning the Office of Refugee Resettlement’s (ORR) unaccompanied children program. The
Lawmakers Seek Bipartisan Plan on Paid Leave
On April 12, 2023, Representatives Stephanie Bice (R-OK) and Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) wrote a letter to Speaker Kevin McCarthy and House Minority Leader Hakeem
CWLA Endorses: Resolution to Recognize Child Abuse Prevention Month
On April 19th, 2023, Congressman Dave Joyce (R-OH) and Congresswoman Ann Kuster (D-NH) introduced a resolution to recognize April as National Child Abuse Prevention
Separate Licensing Standards for Relative or Kinship Foster Family Homes
CWLA submitted a public comment in the Federal Register in support of the proposed rule that would allow Title IV-E agencies to adopt separate licensing requirements for kinship
Administration Plan to Prohibit Broad Transgender Sports Bans
On Thursday April 6th, 2023, Secretary Miguel Cardona of the Department of Education announced a proposed rule that would update Title IX to clarify
Expanded SNAP Benefits: Webinar
The Institute for Research on Policy hosted a webinar on April 5, 2023 titled “Expanded SNAP Benefits During The COVID-19 Pandemic: Lessons Learned.” Speakers for the event included Dr. Cindy
Pregnant Workers Fairness Act and PUMP Act
On April 10, 2023, A Better Balance hosted a webinar about the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) and PUMP Act. This webinar helped break
Gun Violence Claims More Lives
Gun violence claimed more children’s lives last week with the shooting at the Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee. As we noted in our statement after
Subcommittee Hearing on TANF Reform
On March 28th, 2023, the Work and Welfare Subcommittee of the House Ways and Means Committee held a hearing about the reauthorization of the
Congressional Dads Caucus Launches with Roundtable Discussion
On March 29, 2023 the Congressional Dad’s Caucus had its kickoff meeting with a panel of lived experience. Representative Jimmy Gomez (D-CA), the Chair
Spotlight on the SNAP Program
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is under consideration in both the Appropriations debate as well as the looming Farm Bill reauthorization due this year. These debates are happening as
Ways and Means Committee Hears from Secretary Becerra
On Wednesday, March 28th, the House Ways and Means Committee held a hearing on President Biden’s FY24 Budget proposal with HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra.
Agency Leaders Respond About Impact of Budget Cuts
In January, House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro sent letters to Federal agency heads asking for information about how the agencies would be
The Power of the Purse: Federal Budget Webinar
Voices for Healthy Kids hosted a webinar on Wednesday, March 22nd, titled “The Power of the Purse: Understanding the Federal Budget Process and How it