The U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary hosted a hearing on June 14, 2023 titled “Ensuring the Safety and Well-Being of Unaccompanied Children.” The hearing examined the fates of migrant children who enter the United States. Prominent speakers included Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Majority Member Alex Padilla (D-CA), and
On Tuesday, June 13th, 2023, the House Ways and Means Committee held a markup for a series of tax bills, including the Tax Cuts for Working Families Act. The package was eventually passed favorably out of committee by the Republican Majority. The bill would make several tax cuts and would increase the standard deduction; Republicans
On June 14, 2023, the Committee on Finance held a hearing, “Anti-Poverty and Family Support Provisions in the Tax Code,” to discuss tax policies that support children and families. Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR) gave an opening statement calling for the expansion of the 2021 Child Tax Credit (CTC) and Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) through
On June 15, 2023, First Focus on Children hosted a webinar “Invest in Kids Briefing” as part of their Children’s Week 2023. This event brought members of Congress and experts together to discuss how the Federal Government can work to meet the needs of children and families through increased funding. Representative Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) emphasized
As COVID-19 Pandemic relief funding is coming to an end, the child care sector is facing a severe funding cliff. On Thursday June 15, 2023, Senators Wyden (D-OR) and Warren (D-MA) reintroduced the Building Child Care for a Better Future Act, which provides new, permanent funding so that states, tribes, and territories have the critical
On June 13, 2023, Prosperity Now held an event for Children’s Week to address unequal wealth distribution and build financial security opportunities for future generations. The Director of Policy explained that baby bonds are one of many solutions to create opportunities for those who face the brunt of the wealth gap. The Vice President of
On Wednesday, June 14, 2023, the National Foster Youth Initiative (NFYI) and Congressional Research Institute for Social Work and Policy (CRISP) held a briefing on the Foster Youth and Driving Act. The bill has been reintroduced by House Ways and Means Subcommittee Ranking Member Danny K. Davis (D-IL) and Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth Co-chair
On June 13, 2023, the House Committee on Education and the Workforce held a hearing titled “Examining the Policies and Priorities of the Department of Health and Human Services.” Committee members asked Secretary Becerra of the Department of Health and Human Services questions about children’s health-related to gender-affirming care and unaccompanied children at the border.
In recognition of World Day Against Child Labor, on June 12, 2023, the Department of Labor’s Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) and the Wage and Hour Division hosted, “Within and Beyond Our Borders: Collective Action to Address Child Labor,” which discussed the power of different actors in the lives of children victimized. Panelists included
In celebration of National Reunification Month, the American Bar Association hosted a free informational webinar titled “What Child Welfare Agencies Can Do to Support Reunification Parent Partnerships and Reunification Practices” on June 7, 2023. The Oregon and Georgia Departments of Human Services shared steps their organizations have taken to best support children and families in
