[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 190 (Wednesday, November 15, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1107]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      INTRODUCTION OF THE FOSTERING FAMILY COHESION NATIONWIDE ACT

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                  HON. GREGORIO KILILI CAMACHO SABLAN

                    of the northern mariana islands

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 15, 2023

  Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Fostering 
Family Cohesion Nationwide Act. The legislation makes Temporary 
Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), child support enforcement, and 
foster care programs available everywhere else in our Nation also 
available in the Northern Mariana Islands.
  My district is the only jurisdiction ineligible for such programs 
under Title IV of the Social Security Act. In every other part of the 
United States, these programs help low-income families with children 
achieve economic self-sufficiency, promote joint parental 
responsibility, and provide safe foster care placements for children 
who cannot remain in their homes.
  The continued exclusion of our islands is not only inequitable, but 
also violates the agreement negotiated in the covenant that established 
the current political relationship between the Marianas and the United 
States. Section 703 of P.L. 94-241 provides that the United States will 
make available to the Marianas the full range of federal programs and 
services available to the other territories. And by failing to remedy 
the Marianas' exclusion from programs under Title IV, Congress is 
reneging on its promise and perpetuating the unequal treatment of 
Americans residing in U.S. territories.
  My bill, the Fostering Family Cohesion Nationwide Act, makes this 
long overdue correction, and upholds our nation's statutory obligation 
to the people of the Marianas. Each child's right to a safe, nurturing, 
and permanent family must be safeguarded no matter where they grow up 
in the United States.
  I thank my colleagues who joined me in introducing this bipartisan 
legislation--Mr. Moylan, Ms. Radewagen, Ms. Plaskett, and Mr. Case.

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