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Portland Press HeraldU.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, received the Champion of Children Award on Monday from First Focus, a bipartisan advocacy group for children’s issues.The award recognizes her continued support for the Children’s Health Insurance Program of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.The program provides federal matching funds to states that offer health insurance to families with children.More

WASHINGTON D.C. – Today, Representative Danny Davis (D-IL) introduced legislation that would provide an annual accounting of all federal money spent on children.The Children's Budget Act aims to make children a priority in the federal budget by requiring that the President's annual budget request includes a separate analysis of all spending on children's programs. This accounting would collect the diverse sources of funding for children's programs, in a unified place, communicating a clear picture of the federal funding benefiting America's young people."We commend Representative Davis for introducing this important legislation," said Bruce Lesley, President of the First Focus Campaign...

Washington D.C. – Today, the bipartisan child advocacy organization the First Focus Campaign for Children hails the introduction of the Strengthening State Systems of Early Learning Act by Senator Bob Casey (D-PA). This bill would provide funding and resources to states for building and strengthening “systems” of early learning and development so that more children, and particularly poor and disadvantaged children, ages zero to five, can have access to high-quality early childhood learning and development programs.The bill will help states increase the quality of their early childhood programs, improve workforce qualifications and development, and create a seamless system of care...

United States House of Representatives Votes to Turn Back the Clock on Health Care for KidsWashington D.C. - Today, the United States House of Representatives voted in favor of repealing The Affordable Care Act. The First Focus Campaign for Children, a bipartisan children’s advocacy organization, expressed disappointment in those Members of the House who voted to repeal the historic health reform law that moved America closer to universal coverage for children.Bruce Lesley, president of the First Focus Campaign for Children, issued the following statement:“The passage of The Affordable Care Act was a critical step forward in improving our nation’s broken...

Immigration Bill Falls Short in the SenateWashington D.C. – Today, the United States Senate failed to invoke cloture on the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act with a vote of 55-41. The measure required 60 votes for passage thereby thwarting the clear will of a majority in the Senate. If passed, the bipartisan DREAM Act would have provided undocumented students brought to the United States as children with the opportunity to earn permanent legal status upon meeting certain requirements.Bruce Lesley, President of the First Focus Campaign for Children, issued the following statement:"Once again, hundreds of thousands of...

Immigration Bill Moves to Senate after Victory in the HouseWashington D.C. - Late yesterday evening, in a historic bipartisan vote, the United States House of Representatives approved the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act. The First Focus Campaign for Children, a bipartisan children's advocacy organization, praised leaders in the House for passing legislation that will create a brighter future for hundreds of thousands of U.S. raised immigrant children while helping America build an educated workforce capable of competing in a global economy. The Senate is expected to vote on the measure as early as today.Bruce Lesley, President...

Washington D.C. – Today, in a bipartisan vote, the United States House of Representatives approved the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act (S. 3307), a bill that provides an additional $4.5 billion over 10 years to federal child nutrition programs, including school lunch. The First Focus Campaign for Children, a nonpartisan children’s advocacy organization, praised our nation’s leaders for passing legislation that will ensure that more low-income children receive access to the meals they need.Bruce Lesley, president of the First Focus Campaign for Children, issued the following statement:“Now more than ever, providing children access to healthy food is critical. Nearly one in...

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) will introduce the Children’s Act of 2010, a bill to address the challenges facing our nation’s youth by establishing a National Council on Children. The First Focus Campaign for Children, a bipartisan children’s advocacy organization, voiced its strong support for the legislation, which aims to establish the United States as a frontrunner in improving the lives of children.Specifically, the National Council on Children will annually assess the performance of the United States in ensuring the well-being of children. In addition, the Council will develop a set of...

Washington D.C. – Today, the First Focus Campaign for Children, a national, bipartisan child advocacy group, released the names of Members of Congress identified as the most valuable leaders on issues important to children. The announcement today launches the group’s inaugural campaign to recognize the top 100 Members of Congress who make improving the well-being of children a national priority.Of the 100 Members of Congress recognized by the group today, 50 Members were named “Champions for Children” on account of their extraordinary efforts to protect and improve the future of America’s next generation. An additional 50 Members were awarded...

Senate Continues to Delay a Vote on the DREAM ActWashington D.C. - Yesterday, the United States Senate failed to invoke cloture on the Defense Authorization Act, which contained the DREAM Act (S. 729) as an amendment. A minority of 42 senators chose to filibuster a procedural motion, blocking the will of a clear majority of the Senate and the American public who support the DREAM Act. This means that the DREAM Act will not be taken up for a vote this week and the future of the bill remains uncertain.The DREAM Act would provide undocumented students brought to the...