February 1, 2006–The U.S. House of Representatives today gave their final approval, by a vote of 216-214, to a budget reconciliation bill (S. 1932) that cuts services and supports to abused and neglected children and families. With the Senate granting approval on December 21, the bill now goes to the President for his signature.

This bill cuts funding to grandparents and other relatives who are caring for abused and neglected children.

The final bill reduces federal spending by nearly $40 billion and includes a $600 million reduction in federal foster care. This devastating bill will also result in less health care for children and low income people, fewer children receiving child support, students paying more for school loans, parents facing harsher rules and receiving less help with child care as they move from welfare to work.

To see how your Representative voted on February 1, go to: http://clerk.house.gov/legisAct/votes.html

To see how your Senator voted on December 21, visit: http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=1&vote=00303

For a more detailed description and analysis of the bill go to http://www.cwla.org/advocacy/fostercare060201.htm

To see how many of the cuts contained in the bill affect your state go to: http://www.chn.org/issues/opportunityforall/statefactsheets.html

To learn more about how to advocate for children's issues, see the Child Welfare League of America website.