Pearce Votes to Support Families in Low-Income Communities Throughout New Mexico

Press Release

Congressman Steve Pearce today voted to pass H.R. 2824, the Increasing Opportunity and Success for Children and Parents through Evidence-Based Home Visiting Act, which extends the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Visiting (MIECHV) Program through 2022. This program provides grant funds to states, territories, and tribes for health, social, and child development services to families.

"The MIECHV program offers vital services to families, parents, and tribes in some of the most vulnerable communities throughout New Mexico. Our state is home to many rural and low-income neighborhoods who rely on these early childhood development and parenting services, and often don't have other options to turn to. I'm pleased to see this bill pass today in the House to guarantee underserved populations in New Mexico and across the nation can have continued access to these important family services," stated Rep. Pearce.

H.R. 2824 will continue the $400 million mandatory funding level for MIECHV and requires the States to provide additional funds to home visitation programs beginning in 2020. An amendment by Rep. Suzane DelBene (WA-01) passed the House Floor to eliminate the match requirement for Native American Tribes, as this would have large implications on their ability to utilize the program. H.R. 2824 passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a 214-209 vote.

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