Native American Children's Safety Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. Speaker, we are all aware of the challenges that Native children face when it comes to their health, safety, and security. For example, Native children are 2.1 times more likely than other American children to end up in foster care. They are also 2.5 times more likely to become victims of abuse or neglect.

The Native American Children's Safety Act will help to address these disparities by strengthening background checks for prospective foster care parents prior to placement. In addition, the legislation will ensure that Federal and tribal agencies conduct these checks in a uniform manner.

The House previously passed an identical bill, H.R. 1168, introduced by our colleague from North Dakota (Mr. Cramer), and it is critical that we pass the Senate version as well.

Mr. Speaker, there are many troubling issues that we in Congress must address in order to reverse the alarming trends that we see today in the health, safety, and well-being of Native children.

These kids deserve far more of our time and our attention; yet, for too long their needs have been neglected by this body.

So, Mr. Speaker, I call on Congress to reverse this pattern of neglect and to start passing legislation like the bill before us today that will help protect and provide for our Native children.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Senators Hoeven and Tester for introducing and moving the Native American Children's Safety Act through the Senate.

I ask my colleagues to stand with me in support of S. 184 and in support of our Native children.

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