Peoria Standard

Congressmen Darin LaHood and Danny Davis have emphasized the significance of the newly passed Supporting America’s Families and Children Act in an op-ed published in the Chicago Tribune. The legislation, signed into law by President Joe Biden, aims to improve child welfare across the United States.

The act is described as a comprehensive reauthorization and modernization of Title IV-B of the Social Security Act, addressing critical needs for approximately 370,000 children in foster care and families at risk of separation. "Every child deserves a chance to thrive," LaHood and Davis wrote, highlighting their responsibility to develop policies that provide safety and stability for children.

This bipartisan effort incorporates policies from 16 pieces of legislation supported by both Republicans and Democrats on the House Ways and Means Committee. It reflects a shared commitment to strengthen families, support caregivers, and ensure safe homes for children.

The Ways and Means Work and Welfare Subcommittee played a crucial role in advancing this legislation through Congress. The subcommittee held ten hearings on various topics such as kinship care, unemployment insurance, and support for youths aging out of foster care. A notable field hearing titled “The Dignity of Work” was conducted at Pacific Garden Mission in Chicago.

"This was the first-ever House committee hearing held in a homeless shelter," noted LaHood and Davis. They highlighted their pride as Illinoisans in showcasing Midwest sensibility to colleagues from Washington during visits to Project HOOD and Pacific Garden Mission.

As primary sponsors of the act, LaHood and Davis expressed pride in the bipartisan collaboration that led to its passage. They emphasized listening to youths' lived experiences to create meaningful policy changes: "It is a testament to what can be achieved when we put aside partisan differences."