What's New

Committee Schedule

Prints and Publications

Rules and Jurisdiction

Legislative Resources

Search the
Committee's site

Committee Membership

Committee News Releases

Chairmen's Portraits Page

FULL COMMITTEE

Tax Issues Only

SUBCOMMITTEES:

Trade

Oversight

Health

Social Security

Human Resources

Select Revenue Measures

Privacy, Copyright, and Permission to Link Statement

Committee on Ways and Means
Subcommittee on Human Resources

For Immediate Release
Contact: Press Office 202-225-8933
January 17, 2002

“The Promoting Safe and Stable
 Families Amendments of 2001”
Summary of H.R. 2873 as Signed
Today by President Bush

 1.  Promoting Safe and Stable Families.  Current capped entitlement child welfare program with an authorization that expired at the end of FY 2001.  Provides funds to States for family preservation, family support, time-limited family reunification, and adoption promotion and support services on behalf of children and families involved or at risk of involvement in the child welfare system.

• Current funding: $305 million/year mandatory.
• President's proposal: $505 million/year through 2006, extra $200 million originally mandatory funding, reclassified as discretionary in August OMB Midsession Review.
• Ways and Means Committee-passed bill: authorizes $505 million/year for five years.  $200 million increase will be discretionary.

2.  Mentoring Children of Prisoners.  New program of Federal grants to local governments with high concentrations of children of prisoners to develop or expand mentoring networks for these children.

• Ways and Means Committee-passed bill: proposes $67 million in discretionary funds for each of fiscal years 2002-2006, as requested by the President; makes additional community and faith-based organizations eligible to compete for funds.

3.  Independent Living Education Vouchers.  Education vouchers would be added to current entitlement program supporting youths aging out of foster care. 

• Current funding: $140 million/year (not including new voucher program).
• President's proposal: adds $60 million/year for vouchers through fiscal year 2006, with extra $60 million originally mandatory funding, reclassified as discretionary in August OMB Mid-session Review.
• Ways and Means Committee-passed bill: authorizes, but does not require mandatory funds for the additional $60 million per year for the new voucher program.