[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 85 (Tuesday, May 19, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2343-S2344]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                              Foster Care

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, you might wonder how this Senator from 
Iowa gets involved in issues of foster youth.
  Thirty years ago, I hired a staffer from Urbandale, IA, by the name 
of Sarah Gesiriech. Sarah now works for the First Lady in the White 
House on this issue of foster care.


 =========================== NOTE =========================== 

  
  On page S2343, May 19, 2026, second column, the following 
appears: Thirty years ago, I hired a staffer from Urbandale, IA, 
by the name of Sara Gesiriech. Sara now works for the First Lady 
in the White House on this issue of foster care.
  
  The online Record has been corrected to read: Thirty years ago, 
I hired a staffer from Urbandale, IA, by the name of Sarah 
Gesiriech. Sarah now works for the First Lady in the White House 
on this issue of foster care.


 ========================= END NOTE ========================= 


 She was hired by me to work on banking and education issues, but she 
came to me 1 day and said: I was adopted by my parents, and there are a 
  lot of things wrong with the foster care system in the United States.S
o she said to me: Do you care if I work on that issue as well as the 
other issues you hired me to work on?
  So that is the story behind my being involved with foster care 
issues.
  You learn to listen to these kids who go from home to home maybe 
three times a year and change schools three times a year. If you listen 
to them, they say: I would like to have a mom and dad. I would like to 
have a permanent home. And that touches your heart.
  The need to support children in America who want a mom and dad is 
more important now than it was even 30 years ago.
  In 2025, there was an increase in the number of children who entered 
and were in foster care compared to 2024. Now, that increase is not the 
case in each and every State. For example, in Iowa, there was a slight 
decrease in the number of children in foster care from 2024 to 2025, 
demonstrating Iowa's success in supporting children and families.
  At the Federal level, I am committed to exploring policy solutions 
that improve long-term outcomes for children in foster care. So the 
bill that I am introducing--the bipartisan bill that goes by the title 
of Recruiting Families Using Data Act--modifies decades-old Federal 
requirements and empowers States to develop family partnership plans 
that incorporate best practices with quality data. By integrating 
quality data and best practices, States are better equipped to address 
the needs of children in their care.
  Today, I am releasing the discussion draft of legislation to support 
older youth in foster care. I do that by providing an opportunity for 
States to expand on services that help these young people achieve 
independence.
  My draft legislation would also require the Government Accountability 
Office to study the funding formulas used to allocate Federal funds to 
States as part of the John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful 
Transition to Adulthood. That is a long name for a program written 25 
or 30 years ago by former Senator Chafee of Rhode Island, who was also 
very much interested in this issue.
  In January of 2025, the Government Accountability Office published a 
report that studied how States use the Chafee program to support older 
foster youth who are transitioning out of foster care, which is natural 
when they reach a certain age. Sometimes it is 18. Sometimes it might 
be a little bit older. Aging out of foster care is a traumatic time for 
these kids.
  I asked for this report after it was brought to my attention that 
Chafee dollars were being returned while also hearing that not all 
eligible youth were being served by the program. As a cofounder and 
cochair of the Senate Caucus on Foster Youth, I continually hear of the 
challenges that foster youth face as they approach adulthood and how 
they can be better supported.
  By the way, I would like to thank Senator Lujan of New Mexico for his

[[Page S2344]]

cochairing this committee with me; so it is a very bipartisan effort.
  Now, after getting this report, I look forward to getting feedback on 
how Federal programs can encourage foster youth to achieve self-
sufficiency. We have a responsibility to protect children and their 
well-being.
  As we recognize the month of May as being National Foster Care Month, 
it is my hope that we can continue to find solutions to see that every 
child has the chance to build a bright future and an opportunity for 
permanent and loving homes.
  I want to congratulate First Lady Trump for her efforts in this area 
and in her recently holding a hearing in the House of Representatives 
on this issue.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.