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April 3, 2001
ROCKEFELLER INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO STRENGTHEN FAMILIES AND CHILDREN
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) today joined a bipartisan coalition of senators in announcing a legislative package designed to help strengthen working families who are struggling to make ends meet and raise their children.
"This legislation represents more than a commitment to good policy, it’s a commitment to children and families and the fabric of our country," Rockefeller said. "It honors our values of work and self-sufficiency, and strengthens families who take responsibility for their children emotionally and financially."
The legislation is referred to as The Strengthening Working Families Act and includes six initiatives designed to support the efforts of families who have made if off welfare, but are at risk of falling backward -- especially in a weak economy. The provisions of the package include: 1) Promotion of Responsible Fatherhood; 2) Distribution of Child Support Directly to Families; 3) Expansion of the EITC for Larger Families; 4) Restoration of the Social Services Block Grant; 5) Encouragement of Employer-sponsored Child Care; and 6) Reauthorization of The Safe and Stable Families Act. (2-page detailed description of the initiatives are attached.)
"I am ready to work with this administration to improve services for abused and neglected children as well as those children who come from disadvantaged backgrounds. I’m pleased that we were able to act in a bipartisan manner to help some of our most vulnerable families who are working hard and deserve a better quality of life," Rockefeller added.
Senator Rockefeller helped create the Safe and Stable Families Act in 1993, and later supported its expansion and improvement in 1997 as part of the Adoption and Safe Families Act.
Rockefeller has also been an ardent supporter of the Earned Income Tax Credit and has consistently promoted expanding the program.
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