[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 165 (Friday, November 19, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S15201-S15205]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  FOSTER CARE INDEPENDENCE ACT OF 1999

  Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the Finance 
Committee be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 1802, and 
the Senate then proceed to its immediate consideration.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The clerk 
will report the bill by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A bill (H.R. 1802) to amend part E of title IV of the 
     Social Security Act to provide the States with more funding 
     and greater flexibility in carrying out programs designed to 
     help children make the transition from foster care to self-
     sufficiency, and for other purposes.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.


                           amendment no. 2797

  Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I offer a substitute amendment on behalf 
of myself, Senator Roth, and Senator Moynihan. It is at the desk. I ask 
for its consideration.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       The Senator from Maine [Ms. Collins], for herself, Mr. 
     Roth, Mr. Moynihan, Mr. L. Chafee, and Mr. Reed, proposes an 
     amendment numbered 2797.

  (The text of the amendment is printed in today's Record under 
``Amendments Submitted.'')
  Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the amendment be 
agreed to.
  The amendment (No. 2797) was agreed to.
  Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I am delighted to offer the substitute 
amendment on this legislation on behalf of myself, Senator Robb, and 
Senator Moynihan. This amendment is also cosponsored by Senators 
Chafee, Breaux, Jeffords, Kennedy, Reed, Graham, Snowe, Gorton, 
Feinstein, Gregg, Landrieu, Bond, Levin, and Kerry. It is a revised 
version of the Foster Care Independence Act of 1999, which our beloved 
friend and late colleague, Senator John Chafee of Rhode Island, first 
introduced with Senator Rockefeller earlier this year.

[[Page S15202]]

  I particularly commend the chairman and the ranking member of the 
Senate Finance Committee, Senator Roth and Senator Moynihan, for their 
leadership in negotiating and clearing this important bill so it could 
be sent to the President this year. Both have been long-time advocates 
for the well-being of foster children.
  I also know Senator John Chafee would be so pleased that his son, 
Linc, is carrying on his efforts to help the well-being of foster 
children.
  I thank the majority leader and the assistant majority leader for all 
of their work in helping us to bring this very important legislation to 
the Senate floor before we adjourn.
  This legislation was very dear to the heart of Senator John Chafee. 
He recognized it as a rare opportunity to provide needed assistance to 
one of our Nation's most vulnerable groups, children in foster care 
programs. Senator Chafee was well known as a guardian of the rights of 
children, and he had a particular soft spot in his heart for children 
in foster care programs. He was a fierce advocate on their behalf.
  It was tremendously important to Senator Chafee that we complete 
consideration of this legislation this year. This is why I am so proud 
this evening to be able to offer the substitute amendment as a tribute 
to Senator Chafee and to this commitment to help teenagers who are 
``aging out'' of foster care.
  Let me explain exactly what that means. Although practices vary from 
State to State, many foster children find themselves at risk of 
homelessness and being uninsured when they reach their 18th birthday. 
The families caring for them lose their financial assistance and the 
children themselves lose their health insurance coverage under the 
Medicaid program.
  This can occur, even if the child is still in high school, even if 
the child has not yet graduated but has turned 18. Each year about 
20,000 teenagers are forced to leave the foster care system simply 
because they have reached the age of 18. The legislation we are 
considering this evening will help remedy this very serious problem. It 
is similar to legislation that has already overwhelming passed the 
House of Representatives.
  Among other things, the legislation renames the independent living 
programs for older foster children to be John H. Chafee Foster Care 
Independence Program. The legislation doubles the funding for States to 
assist young people in making the transition from foster care to 
independent living. It will double the funding from $70 million to $140 
million a year.
  The bill also provides access to needed health and mental health 
services for the teenagers who are ``aging out'' of foster care by 
encouraging States to extend Medicaid coverage to these young people 
until they reach the age of 21. Moreover, the legislation recognizes 
our moral obligation to provide special help for young people, age 18 
to 21, who have left the foster care program.
  The last hearing that Senator Chafee chaired was on the issue of 
foster care teenagers. I remember his discussing with me how deeply 
moved he was by a teenage girl who had to finish high school while 
living in a homeless shelter.

  This legislation will help prevent these kinds of tragedies by 
requiring States to use some portion of their funds under the new John 
Chafee Independent Program for room and board for 18- to 21-year-olds 
who have left foster care. At the same time, the legislation also gives 
States greater flexibility in designing their independent living 
programs.
  Senator Chafee and Senator Rockefeller brought together a lot of 
these older foster children to meet with a number of us who were 
interested in hearing their stories. We heard incredible hardships of 
teenagers who were trying to finish high school while coping with 
medical problems and the loss of their foster homes. One of them was 
living in laundromats, was brushing her teeth at a McDonald's, was 
trying to keep her life together under very difficult circumstances.
  This simply should not occur. This bill will go a long way to prevent 
such awful situations by making sure we are helping these teenagers, 
these young adults as they transition from foster care to independent 
living.
  The Foster Care Independence Act will provide much needed support to 
vulnerable teenagers as they make the critical and always difficult, 
under the best circumstances, transition from adolescence to adulthood. 
It will greatly improve the lives of hundreds of thousands of young 
people who will move through the foster care system in future years. As 
such, it serves as a tremendous living tribute to the late Senator John 
Chafee, who was so committed to their care.
  I urge all my colleagues to join me in supporting this very important 
legislation.
  Mr. ROTH. Mr. President, I rise in support of the bill now before the 
Senate, the Foster Care Independence Act of 1999.
  Before I describe this bill, let me point out that this measure is a 
tribute to the late Senator John Chafee. This legislation was Senator 
Chafee's last child welfare initiative in the Finance Committee. As 
members know, the well being of the nation's youth, particularly the 
most disadvantaged, was very important to John.
  This legislation will provide important assistance to the nation's 
foster care children. Each year about 20,000 teenagers must leave 
foster care because they have reached the age of 18. They are then left 
to their own devices, to make a life for themselves, often with no one 
to rely on for emotional and financial support. Not surprisingly, these 
young people are more likely to quit school, be unemployed, have 
children out of wedlock, and end up on welfare or in jail.
  With this bill, we show that this country has not forgotten these 
young people. As parents, we do certainly not cut off our children at 
18. Indeed, children in foster care have more need than most for a 
helping hand if they are to succeed in adulthood. It is simply common 
sense and good policy to make a small investment to ensure that these 
young people become productive taxpaying citizens who can make 
contributions to society.
  The Foster Care Independence Act doubles the money available to the 
States for the independent living program, from $70 million to $140 
million per year. This program helps young people make the transition 
from foster care to self-sufficiency. The bill expands the program by 
providing former foster children between 18 and 21 assistance in 
preparing for further education, planning a career, or training for a 
job. These programs also offer personal support through mentors, as 
well as financial assistance and housing.
  This bill encourages, but does not require, States to provide 
Medicaid to young adults who have left foster care. The bill also 
increases the amount foster children may save and still be eligible for 
foster care. Such savings will help prepare these young people for the 
day when they will be on their own.
  Lastly, the bill includes a number of reforms that will reduce fraud 
in the Supplemental Security Income program. The SSI program is on 
GAO's list of high risk programs.
  A childhood spent in foster care is a big enough challenge. Let us 
help these children find a brighter future. I urge my colleagues to 
support this legislation in the memory of John Chafee.
  Mr. ROCKEFELLER. Mr. President, I rise today to join a bipartisan 
group of my colleagues in support of the John H. Chafee--Foster Care 
Independence Act of 1999.
  My friend and colleague John Chafee will be honored numerous times in 
the coming years for his extraordinary public service to both the state 
and country that he so loved. He should be. There will be many fitting 
ways to pay him tribute by advancing the many causes important to him.
  Enacting the fundamental principles of his bill into law today will 
be one small way that we can all honor a man who was an outstanding 
member and statesman in a way that I think he would appreciate because 
it helps some of our citizens who are most in need.
  Senator Chafee has been a tireless champion for children and young 
people who need a voice, and occasionally some muscle, for many years. 
I had the privilege to work with him on just some of his efforts to 
help children, and in particular, to help repair and improve our 
adoption and foster care policies.
  Senator Chafee's unflagging commitment to vulnerable young people was

[[Page S15203]]

exemplified by his work on the legislation now before the Senate. Just 
a few days before his death, he approached me personally to talk about 
what we could do to ensure that this legislation would pass into law 
this year.
  I also believe that John himself would not agree with honoring him as 
a motive--he would expect us to pass this legislation for the teens in 
foster care who need and deserve more help. On October 13th, Senator 
Chafee and I held a subcommittee hearing on this bill, and it was our 
last hearing together. John was engaged in talking to the teens at the 
hearing and after listening to them, he knew that fighting to get this 
bill done was the right thing to do.
  Since John cannot fulfill this vision, I am grateful to the 
Republican leadership for carrying forward in his name. Senators 
Nickles, Lott, and other members of the leadership have worked very 
hard to make this one of the final bills we will pass in 1999.
  Our First Lady, Mrs. Clinton, has also been a special leader on 
behalf of vulnerable children. In 1997, she helped focus the national 
spotlight on the need to promote adoption. This year, she has helped to 
focus much needed attention on the challenges facing teenagers who age 
out of foster care, and has challenged us to improve the system for 
such teens by expanding the Independent Living program.
  I am keenly aware of the child welfare work that remains. I have 
worked closely this year with Senator Grassley and understand the 
concerns that he has about the need for greater accountability and 
independent oversight for our nation's child welfare system. Senator 
Grassley believes that there must be independent review of the foster 
care system, and he is advocating that every state establish 
Independent Foster Care Review Boards composed of volunteers. I have 
agreed with Senator Grassley that this is a worthy strategy and I am 
committed to continue working with him next year as we seek innovative 
and effective ways to better serve all of our nation's abused and 
neglected children.
  In addition to Senator Grassley's concerns, there are other issues in 
child welfare that need continued work. That is why I have also worked 
with Senators DeWine, Landrieu, and others on a bill that will 
strengthen our child abuse and neglect courts, and another that will 
ensure that all abused and neglected children with special needs are 
eligible for adoption subsidy. These are just a few of the steps we 
need to take in 2000 and beyond.
  While we still have much to do, we have made some progress. We have 
been pleased to learn that one of the desired outcomes of the 1997 
Adoption Act, moving children more swiftly from foster care into 
permanent homes, has begun to become a reality. Adoptions throughout 
the country are up dramatically, far exceeding expectations. In 
September, the President announced that 35 states had exceeded their 
goals for adoption placements and received bonus payments as a result. 
This is wonderful news for America's foster children.
  Yet, at the same time, it's disturbing to know that approximately 
20,000 young people each year who turn 18 and ``age out'' of the foster 
care system suddenly face the cold and often cruel consequence of no 
home, no family, no medical coverage and no system of support in place. 
In my own state of West Virginia, only 185 of the more than 1000 foster 
children over the age of 16 were able to get additional help through 
the state's Independent Living program.
  A Wisconsin study tells us that 18 months after leaving foster care, 
over one-third of the teens leaving foster care had not graduated from 
high school, half were unemployed, nearly half had no access to or 
coverage for health care, and many were homeless or victims or 
perpetrators of crimes. These are not just numbers, each of these 
statistics represents a real person, like the young people who 
testified before the Finance Committee, Terry and Percy.
  When Terry turned 18 she was still in high school. She quickly became 
homeless, and shared with us the horrifying stories of sleeping in 
alleys, laundry-mats and hospital waiting rooms, brushing her teeth in 
MacDonald's restrooms so she could complete high school. She developed 
several medical problems including chicken pox and kidney problems for 
which she had no access to health care. Her problems worsened, and 
today, she has permanent kidney damage as a result of the lack of care.
  Like Terry, Percy aged out of foster care while still in high school. 
He did not become homeless, thanks to the support of a local 
Independence Living program, he was assisted in obtaining an apartment 
and a job. Still, it was a big challenge to be totally on his own while 
still finishing school. He graduated and was motivated to go to 
college, but soon had to drop out because of his lack of health care 
coverage. Today, Percy is a successful and popular police officer, who 
still has a dream of finishing college one day.
  This legislation before the Senate will provide resources and 
incentives to states so that fewer of our young people will become 
stories as horrific as Terry's, and more will receive the types of 
support that Percy received.
  One of the most significant provisions of the 1997 Adoption Act was 
the assurance of ongoing health care coverage for all children with 
special needs who move from foster care to adoption. This bill will 
establish, the John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program, as the 
essential next step to expand vital access to health care for 
vulnerable youth. This important legislation will make it possible for 
health care coverage for our foster care youths not to end when they 
turn 18. Young people who have survived the many traumas that led to 
their placement in foster care, and their journey through the foster 
care system often have special health care needs, especially in the 
area of mental health. Providing transitional health coverage at this 
crucial juncture in their lives can make the difference between 
successfully moving on to accomplish their goals, or becoming stuck in 
an unsatisfying and unhealthy way of life.
  Another key focus of the 97 Adoption Act is on moving children from 
foster care to permanent homes, and when possible adoption. Older teens 
in foster care have a great need for a permenant family. Although we 
propose to improve the Independent Living program and increase 
eligibility for services to the age of 21, it does end at that time. 
And yet a youth's need for a family does not end at any particular age. 
Each of us can clearly recall times when we have had to turn to our own 
families for advice, comfort or support long after our 18th or 21st 
birthdays. Many of us are still in the role of providing such support 
to our own children who are in their late teens or 20s. Therefore, an 
important provision in this Foster Care Independence Act states that 
Independent Living (IL), programs are not alternatives to permanency 
planning--young people of all ages need and deserve every possible 
effort made towards permanence, including adoption. It would be 
counterproductive to create any disincentive for adoption of teenagers. 
Therefore, our legislation would allow any enhanced independent living 
services to be carried out concurrent with adoption services for older 
teens, and involves adoptive parents in assisting these teens in 
becoming successfully independent.
  Independent Living programs were designed to provide young people 
with training, skill-development and support as they make the 
transition from foster care to self-sufficiency. In some states, with 
creativity and innovation, these programs have seen remarkable success 
in that effort. In other localities, the programs have provided minimal 
support, and young people have faced an array of challenging life 
decisions and choices without the skills or support to make them 
successfully. This bill will provide the resources to improve 
Independent Programs so that they can achieve the basic goal. Funding 
is provided for national evaluation and for technical assistance to 
states to promote quality, and reports back to Congress so we can 
follow the progress of these efforts.
  These will be valuable steps in our efforts to more effectively 
address the needs of our Nation's most vulnerable young people, on the 
brink of adulthood. I urge my colleagues to join us in passing this 
bill for foster teens and in memory of John Chafee's long career 
dedicated to the children and others in need of his immense dedication 
and caring heart.
  Mr. MOYNIHAN. Mr. President, some 4 months ago I was proud to 
cosponsor

[[Page S15204]]

this legislation when it was introduced by the late Senator John 
Chafee. I am prouder today that we are passing it. I am saddened, 
though, that he is not here with us to see it happen.
  This legislation is typical of the work of Senator Chafee. It helps 
disadvantaged, often forgotten, children--those who are victims of 
abuse and neglect and have to be taken into foster care. It is 
practical. The bill is targeted and will help expand small-scale 
efforts already on the ground. And it is bipartisan, representing a 
consensus on how to move forward now.
  In particular, this bill will help a group of our children in dire 
circumstances--foster children who leave foster care because they ``age 
out,'' not because they are reunified with their birth families or are 
adopted. About 20,000 children a year ``age out'' of the foster care 
system. They reach 18 and we, in large part, abandon them to the world. 
Many make their way successfully. But far too many, alas, do not, and 
these children are more likely to become homeless or end up on public 
assistance.
  More than a decade ago, we recognized that these children needed 
additional help in preparing for life on their own. I am proud to have 
helped create the Independent Living program, which provided Federal 
support for efforts that prepare teenagers for the transition from 
foster care to independence. The bill will double funding for the 
Independent Living program and increase the use of the funds to assist 
former foster care children until they reach 21, including, for the 
first time, help with room and board. As any parent knows, many 19- and 
20-year-olds remain in need of family support from time to time. For 
children who have ``aged out'' of foster care by turning 18, the 
government is, in effect, their parent and we should do more to help 
them become independent and self-sufficient, just as other parents do.
  This legislation has widespread support, including from the 
administration and key members of both parties. I would like to 
particularly thank the First Lady for her leadership in working on 
behalf of these children. Senator Rockefeller and Chairman Roth have 
been important as well. But, above all, I thank the late Senator 
Chafee.
  Mr. REED. Mr. President, I rise to join Senators Roth, Collins, 
Lincoln, Chafee, Moynihan, and others in support of the Foster Care 
Independence Act.
  The Foster Care Independence Act, a top priority of the late Senator 
John Chafee, addresses the needs of children aging out of the foster 
care system who are facing the loss of critical support and benefits at 
a point when they most need them.
  Nationally, an estimated 20,000 foster care children ``age out'' of 
the system each year. In my home state of Rhode Island, approximately 
30 percent of all children currently in foster care are older and will 
soon be leaving the system.
  When these young people leave the foster care system, they often find 
themselves on their own with few financial resources; limited 
education, training and employment options; no place to live; and 
little or no support from their community.
  The vulnerability of this population cannot be overstated. Studies 
show that those leaving foster care experience higher rates of 
unemployment and illegitimate pregnancies and are more likely to fall 
victim to crime. Indeed, twenty-five to forty percent of these young 
adults transitioning from foster care experience homelessness; only 
about half have completed high school; and less than half find jobs.
  Without the emotional, social, and financial support families 
provide, many of these young adults are not adequately prepared for 
life. If we do not arm them with the resources and skills they need as 
they transition out of foster care, we are sentencing these kids to 
failure and chronic dependency. We may see them again and again--on our 
welfare rolls, in our prisons, living on our streets. We do not want 
that legacy for any of our children, particularly when we know how to 
prevent such tragedies from happening in the first place.
  I am proud to be an original cosponsor of the Senate's Foster Care 
Independence Act, which will help these young adults make a strong and 
sustainable transition to independent adulthood by expanding resources 
available through the Independent Living Program; allowing states to 
use Independent Living funds for basic living needs, including room and 
board; and allowing states to provide health care, including coverage 
of mental health needs, through Medicaid.
  It is fitting that this legislation also renames the Independent 
Living Program after Senator John Chafee who worked so long on this 
issue and so hard on this legislation.
  I am confident, however, that Senator Chafee would have said that we 
need to do more for these young people. He advocated strongly for 
requiring states to provide health care to those aging out of the 
foster care system that need it. This requirement is not included in 
the bill we are passing today, but I encourage my own Governor and 
others to use the flexibility in this bill to provide health care to 
all those aging out of foster care. While I remain committed to 
continuing my work on this issue, I urge my colleagues to support this 
legislation. It is an important step in helping young people leaving 
foster care to live up to their fullest potential.
  Mr. L. CHAFEE. Mr. President, although I have only recently joined 
the Senate and did not have the privilege of working on this bill, I am 
honored to rise as a cosponsor of the John H. Chafee Foster Care 
Independence Act of 1999. I cannot think of a more fitting tribute to 
the memory of my late father than approving this legislation renamed in 
his honor.
  I thank the leadership for bringing this bill to the floor so soon 
after my father's passing. And I would also like to acknowledge the 
hard work of the others who led the effort: Senators Rockefeller, 
Collins, Snowe, Jeffords, Moynihan, Bond, and others. Along with my 
father, your efforts will provide assistance to one of our nation's 
most vulnerable groups: older children in the foster care program.
  Currently, Independent Living Programs for older foster children end 
at their 18th birthday, abandoning these teens in the middle of a 
critical transition period from adolescence to adulthood. Sadly, these 
young people are left to negotiate the rough waters of adulthood 
without vital health and mental health resources and critical life-
skills.
  However, this legislation will cushion a usually abrupt transition by 
funding Independent Living Programs for foster children through their 
21st birthday. It also provides states the option to extend health and 
mental health care benefits to these youngsters until age 21 under the 
Medicaid Program and specifies a minimum grant of $500,000 for smaller 
states like Rhode Island to provide such benefits.
  Before he died, my father learned first-hand of the need for this 
legislation when several older foster care children who had ``aged-
out'' of the system testified before his Finance Subcommittee. These 
youngsters told moving stories; sleeping outdoors, eating out of 
dumpsters, and accepting the charity of their teachers to pay for 
medical bills became their harsh reality because they were too old to 
remain in an Independent Living Program or a foster family. As a 
result, many of his Senate colleagues and First Lady Hillary Clinton 
cheered him on in his efforts to enact this legislation.
  Indeed, ensuring that the most vulnerable members of our society 
retained basic human dignity guided my father's actions during his 
years of public service. Bipartisanship was also a watchword he live 
by. This bill encompasses both of these noble qualities and I know he 
would be honored by the passage of this legislation today. I urge my 
colleagues to join me in supporting this important measure.
  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I rise today to discuss the critical 
issue of foster care. Today, there are more than 500,000 children and 
teens in our nation's foster care system. These children represent one 
of the most vulnerable segments of our population: Children who have 
been taken from unsafe homes, and children who have suffered from abuse 
and neglect. This group of children deserves all the love and attention 
of a loving, caring and permanent family. Foster care is not 
permanency. I repeat, foster care is and should not be viewed as 
permanency for children.
  Unfortunately, some youth in foster care--estimated at 20,000 each 
year--

[[Page S15205]]

are not placed in a permanent, safe home before they are graduated from 
the child welfare system. These youth are expected to be self-
sufficient, in many States at the age of eighteen. Foster care 
independent living programs, also known as ILPs, were initiated in 1985 
in an attempt to provide this segment of the foster care population 
with the skills necessary for self-sufficiency. States have flexibility 
in the type of services they provide to their older foster youth; some 
options include assistance in locating employment, help in completing 
high school, or training in budgeting and other living skills.
  The results of ILPs have been, at best, mixed. Two weeks ago, the 
Government Accounting Office released a report entitled ``Effectiveness 
of Independent Living Services Unknown.'' GAO conducted a study of ILPs 
at the request of House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Human Resources 
Chairman Nancy Johnson. This report reveals that only one national 
study has been completed to date, and the study determined that ILPs 
have the ``potential to improve outcomes for youths.'' The study went 
on to say that ``while HHS is tasked with overseeing implementation of 
ILP, it has done little to determine program effectiveness and has no 
established method to review the states' progress in helping youths in 
the transition from foster care.'' The GAO report recommends that the 
Secretary of HHS develop ``a uniform set of data elements and a report 
format for state reporting . . . and concrete measures of effectiveness 
of assessing state ILPs.''
  I have, for a number of years, been concerned about the issue of 
accountability within the child welfare system. And, the GAO report 
supports my belief that more explicit information is needed from the 
States and HHS in order to ensure that Federal money is being spend in 
a manner that truly benefits the lives of our nation's troubled youth.
  Today, the Senate passed legislation that will double the amount of 
money provided to States to conduct independent living programs. And, I 
am highly disappointed in the lack of specificity and accountability 
measures within the bill. Yes, the Secretary of HHS will be required to 
develop outcome measures and identify data elements in an attempt to 
collect uniform data from the States. However, there is great leeway 
provided the Secretary in developing such measures and States are not 
required to improve upon their own past performance. The Foster Care 
Independence Act, as passed by the Senate, does require the Secretary 
to report within 12 months her plans and timetable for collecting data 
and information from States. I am committed to following the progress 
of the Secretary in collecting data and developing standards for the 
States. Rest assured, I will be watching. And, I will do whatever is 
required of me to ensure that our nation's foster youth are provided 
with the most effective and worthwhile services their State agencies 
can provide.
  Accountability is critical in any human undertaking. It provides an 
environment for those doing well to be commended and recognized. And, 
it sheds light on those acting irresponsibly. We in Congress have the 
responsibility to see that taxpayer money is spend wisely. I see a no 
more critical responsibility than in ensuring States are responsibly 
spending money on vulnerable youth in foster care.
  November is National Adoption Month. Earlier this month, I joined my 
colleagues with the Congressional Coalition on Adoption in celebrating 
those who have made a difference through adoption. I was able to honor 
three worthy individuals from the great State of Iowa: Ruth Ann Gaines 
and Jeff and Earletta Morris. Ruth Ann adopted an autistic boy more 
than 14 years ago, and the Morrises adopted a teenager just over a year 
ago. I am grateful for their efforts and heart-felt belief in the value 
of family, and I am glad to announce them ``Angels in Adoption.''
  In closing, I want to reaffirm my commitment to finding permanent, 
loving families for each boy and girl currently without a loving and 
safe home. I am disappointed the Foster Care Independence Act did not 
contain more provisions supporting permanency. However, I will continue 
my efforts in support of permanency for children in foster care. Among 
others, Congresswoman Nancy Johnson has given me her word that she will 
work with me to improve accountability in the child welfare system. I 
look forward to working with all my colleagues in the next session to 
that end.
  Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the bill be read 
a third time and passed, as amended, the motion to reconsider be laid 
upon the table, and any statements related to the bill be printed in 
the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The bill (H.R. 1802), as amended, was read the third time and passed.

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