{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.hatch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/releases?ContentRecord_id=1169fd46-3030-49ea-b12d-8f0c776ea717", "Hatch, Baucus Laud Finance Committee Action on Proposals to Strengthen & Improve Child Welfare in America", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Orrin Hatch", "H000338", "www.hatch.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) today applauded Committee action on a bipartisan package of legislative proposals to improve child welfare in America. The Supporting At-Risk Children Act strengthens and renews adoption incentive and foster care policies; works to combat child sex trafficking; and improves the collection of meaningful child support payments from noncustodial parents living overseas.\r\nThe Chairman\u2019s Mark, which was favorably reported out of the Committee overwhelmingly by voice vote, included key provisions from Baucus that address increased permanency options for kids in foster care, creates a National Advisory Committee on Domestic Sex Trafficking to disseminate best practices, and child support enforcement provisions that help collect funds for tribal children and promote responsible fatherhood. The mark also contains key elements from Hatch\u2019s bill, S. 1518, the Improving Outcomes for Youth At Risk for Sex Trafficking, IO YOUTH. The measure further draws from a number of bipartisan proposals, including trafficking legislation (S. 1118) sponsored by Senators Ron Wyden (D-Wis.) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio) as well as child support legislation introduced by Senators Robert Menendez (S. 508) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa.)\r\n\u201cGiven the challenges plaguing America\u2019s child welfare and foster care systems, today the Finance Committee acted in a bipartisan way with smart policies that will better protect and improve the well-being of our nation\u2019s most vulnerable children,\u201d said Senator Hatch.\u00a0 \u201cThese proposals \u2013 from improving adoption assistance to taking steps to put to an end to domestic youth sex trafficking \u2013 will help foster a safer environment for our young people to put them on a path to leading happy, healthy, and successful lives. I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure these policies are enacted into law.\u00a0\r\n\u201cThe most important factors in a child\u2019s life are a strong family and supportive community.\u00a0 Unfortunately, too many of America\u2019s children lack this vital support network,\u201d Senator Baucus said.\u00a0 \u201cWhen families struggle, oftentimes it is the child welfare system that steps in to help. The legislation this committee approved today will go a long way towards strengthening America\u2019s child welfare system.\u00a0 This Committee\u2019s work on adoption and guardianship, trafficking, and child support will go a long way towards helping kids to get the resources they need.\u00a0 It will restore hope, strengthen families, and support America\u2019s future generations.\u201d\r\nThe Senate Finance Committee has jurisdiction over grants to states that provide aid and services to families in need of child welfare services, foster care, or adoption assistance. A summary of the Chairman\u2019s Mark of the Supporting At-Risk Children Act can be found HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.hatch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/releases?ContentRecord_id=1169fd46-3030-49ea-b12d-8f0c776ea717"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 2.0975638180971146, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}