H.R. 7432, H.R. 7463, H.R. 7343, H.R. 7529, H.R. 7655, H.R. 7995

you can't stop you can't stop you know like i just don't know how much it's gonna cost you know

hmm yeah

maybe now i was scared i can't stop i just don't know how much it's gonna cost you know yeah it's like a it's like a like a like a little bit more like a yeah like a uh like a uh yeah oh my god yeah yeah

thank you

oh my god

oh my god

yeah

thank you

yeah yeah very cool yeah

you're welcome

thank you

thank you

yeah very pretty yeah yeah

are we having a game for life

yeah mmm it's very pretty yeah

oh my god yeah i can't do anything on my own

oh oh yeah oh yeah oh yeah oh yeah oh yeah mmm oh yeah mmm yeah i actually don't think we can ever run out of food now i know yeah i know we have to have a good meal i think we all need a bowl of food we really need a bowl of food thank you i really thank you hmm yeah You ready? I don't know who I was. It's pretty funny. Okay. Yeah, it might be. Yeah. It's probably It should be. been a while. The committee will come to order. Before we start, I think it's very important that we wish one of our colleagues today um happy birthday, Mister Horsford, it is his birthday. Hooray. Hooray. So. It's his birthday. We won't sing to you, but we'll just send the wishes, so I'll get you desserts though. Yeah, he's very much like a So, um. he's good for something. Today the way today the Ways and Means Committee will consider six bipartisan bills to modernize the Chaffee program and provide the most significant reforms since its creation in nineteen ninety nine. During my time as Chairman, I have made it a point to make sure federal programs in our jurisdiction are authorized and work for the people that they are intended to serve. The Chaffee program helps current and former foster youth gain employment, obtain housing, pursue post-secondary education, and create meaningful connections with other adults as they transition to independence. Each year, nearly sixteen thousand foster youth age out of the foster Young adults who age out of foster care at age eighteen, experience high rates of homelessness, and are less likely to graduate from high school, gain employment, or enroll in post-secondary education compared to their peers. Foster youth deserve the same chance at a good education, meaningful work, and fulfilling relationships as every other child in America. I want to thank all of our members who joined us earlier this month for the remarkable round table discussion we had with the First Lady, Melania Trump, and our two foster youth leaders, Jocelyn and Jaden. These six bills we are considering today are strongly aligned with the First Lady's Fostering the Future initiative and would codify many of the policies laid out in the President's executive order. Not only did the round table demonstrate bipartisan agreement on foster care policy, it also showed We have showed the momentum for getting reforms passed into law. That momentum is desperately needed. Hearings we've held in the Work and Welfare subcommittee have revealed the current program's failings. Education and training vouchers do not allow foster youth to pursue alternatives to college. Program fragm- fragmentation exists across federal programs, supporting them, forcing foster youth to navigate a web of complex services. report being unaware of the services available to them through Chafee. The Government Accountability Office published a report last year that found states have been returning Chafee funds since at least two thousand and seven. Each year, thirty or so states returning about six to eleven million despite evidence of unmet need. During our round table, I made a commitment to the First Lady that this committee will advance reforms to Chaffey. Today we are following through on that commitment. The bipartisan bills before us are solutions that better help foster youth lead independent lives. Our first bill, introduced by Representatives Lahood and Gwen Moore, addressed stable housing, a top issue for foster youth by strengthening coordination between Chaffey and the foster youth to independence housing voucher program legislation from Representatives Chu and Moran, increases financial support for foster youth pursuing post-secondary education and bolster state efforts to make students aware of education and training vouchers, or ETVs. The next bill, led by Representatives Max Miller and Evans,

Yeah.

allows ETVs to pay for short-term workforce and vocational training and credentialing programs. This reform opens new career paths for foster youth that may have been previously unavailable to them. The city will then mark up legislation introduced by Work and Welfare subcommittee ranking member Davis and Chairman LaHood that expands access to legal services for foster youth and requires states to consider legal issues commonly facing foster youth as part of case uh part of case management planning. Legislation legislation from Representatives Yackem and Davis expands access to MICVI program, a home visiting program for expectant mothers. or women with young children to foster youth who are themselves parenting or soon to be parents. Our final bill, introduced by Representatives Gwyn Moore and Kerry, updates the purposes of the Chaffee program to include the importance of foster youth developing and maintaining meaningful connections with trusted adult and lifelong support networks. Each of these bills incorporates and reflects the feedback that we have received from Thank you, Chair. Thank you, Chair.

I appreciate the strong bipartisan work by our colleagues that has resulted in the six bills we are marking up this morning. They listened carefully and importantly to young people who have experienced the uncertainty of foster care, and each of these bills is a thoughtful solution to specific problems as they describe them. The genuine collaboration between Danny Davis and Darren LaHood is particularly apparent and I want to applaud them for sticking with it. Mr. Chairman, I hope this isn't where it ends. We want this legislation to head to the House. It's long overdue to enhance the Chaffee program and reach even more former foster youth. I knew John Chaffee. He was a genteel, kind Republican from Rhode Island. You would not have met a better advocate in my time and a more decent human being. We worked together to establish the Blackstone Valley Historic Corridor, and this is a fitting tribute to the memories that he created fondly for all of us across New England. and I believe he also had a very distinguished military career as well. That said, we know that these bills are just the first step. We have lots of work left in front of us to ensure every child who experiences foster care has the opportunity to transition to adulthood and to lead a successful life. The Chafee program is a strong example of Congress listening to the people affected by our decisions and investing in the kind of help that they will really need. There isn't much better use of federal dollars into help foster youth overcome their tough beginnings and tradition to an adult life where they have good jobs a place to live and people who genuinely love them. These are investments in our future and in our families. However, the program only currently reaches about a fourth of the youth who need our help, and when it does it often falls short of providing everything they need. Gwen Moore's Connect Act would help focus and refocus the Chaffee program to reach further and insure children who have been have strong lifelong relationships with adults and peers to help navigate life after some difficult moments for them. We must make sure that the JFE program, whose funding has essentially stagnated since nineteen ninety-nine, has the resources to help serve every former foster youth who needs our help. I know our colleagues here recognize the persistent challenges and areas we need to keep working at. I hope they will continue working together and that this mark-up on these issues will not end just this morning. We have much to do. I yield back.

Our first order of business is H R seventy-four thirty-two, the Foster Youth Housing Opportunity Act, introduced by Work and Welfare Subcommittee Chairman LaHood and Representative Gwyn Moore which will help youth transitioning out of foster care and former foster youth by strengthening coordination between chafe and the foster youth to independence housing program. Chairman LaHood has long been an outstanding champion for expanding access to housing of all types, such as through his work to improve the low-income housing tax credit. His collaborative work on this bill ensures that housing stability remains within reach for these young adults during a very vulnerable time, as they transition to independence and self-sufficiency. I urge my colleagues to support this bill and I'm pleased to recognize its sponsor, Mr. LaHood for an opening statement.

Thank you, Chairman Smith, and thank you for your leadership uh with these six uh separate bills that we're bringing forth today and also want to acknowledge uh the success of the round table we had with the First Lady and how impactful that was uh on raising awareness on fostering uh uh on fostering the future um and these six bills today. I also just want to mention the collaboration with my colleague um Congressman Danny Davis on the Work and Welfare Subcommittee. We started this process roughly two years ago, working collaboratively, uh, and I want to thank Danny for his leadership. These six bills would not be coming forward without the collaboration of uh Congressman Davis, and so grateful for the substantive work uh that that we've engaged in in the subcommittee. So thank you for that, Danny. Um, and as Chairman of the Work and Welfare subcommittee, I'm pleased to see the committee uh consider these six bills to modernize the Schaeffe program. These bills represent the second legislative initiative of First Lady Melania Trump, who has elevated foster care to the highest level of government, which is a good thing. Earlier this month, earlier this month, Mrs. Trump joined a bipartisan group of more than thirty committee members to discuss Shafi reforms and her efforts to uplift America's youth through the Fostering the Future initiative. We have arrived at a unique moment in time where there is shared bipartisan agreement to making reforms for this largely forgotten group in our country. The Wolken- the and Welfare sub-community has held two hearings leading up to this day to learn about challenges faced by foster youth, listening to their voices and what we can do to support their independence and success in the future. During our first hearing in June of last year we learned about a troubling report from GAO that red and blue states have been returning millions of dollars of unused, Shafi, and education and training vouchers uh funds since, two thousand and seven. In twenty twenty-two alone, more than thirty states, including Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Nevada, Wisconsin and Virginia returned eight point nine million in these funds despite unmet needs of foster youth. What we learned is that when federal programs like Schaefery remain on autopilot, they fail to adapt to changing needs and address the realities facing foster youth today. That's why this mark-up is so important. We are stewards of these programs, and it is our shared responsibility to ensure taxpayer dollars are being used effectively and working for the people we are trying to help. As a package, these six bills represent comprehensive reform that will truly provide foster youth with the tools they need for long-term stability. One of these bills is the Foster Youth Housing Opportunity Act, which I introduced with my colleague, Representative Gwen Moore of Wisconsin. Access to stable housing is one of the most significant challenges foster youth face as they work towards self-sufficiency. A staggering thirty-five percent of former foster youth experience homelessness by age twenty-one. Lack of stable housing increases the risk of human trafficking for foster youth. According to a survey conducted by the Administration for Children and Families, nearly twenty-eight percent of foster youth who self-reported human trafficking slept the most often on the street. This bill will improve access to housing for these youth by strengthening the Schaefer program's connection with the foster youth to independence housing voucher, which is run by HUD. The bill does a couple of key things to leverage resources across two different federal program. It ensures FYI voucher recipients receive housing supportive services which can help them build financial literacy skills, reduce the risk of eviction. It will also provide more flexibility to states by carving these services out of the current thirty percent limit on room and board in Schaeffe and aligning age eligibility program uh access across programs. This bill um has more than a hundred and sixty national, state and local endorsements. I'm confident that through the bipartisan work of this committee and the support of the First Lady and the White House we can deliver this bill and other meaningful and long t- long overdue reforms to Schaeffe to support the nearly sixteen thousand foster youth who age out of foster care every year. With that, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. seventy-four thirty-two and the other bills to modernize Schaeffe. By advancing these bills, we can set foster youth, our n- and our - our nation's future leaders on a path to thrive and fulfill their potential - their p- their full potential. With that, I yield back and thank the Chairman.

Thank you, Mister Llood, I now recognize the ranking member from Massachusetts.

Let me yield my time to the distinguished gentlelady from Wisconsin, Miss Moore.

Thank you, Ranking Member Neal, for yielding and thank you, uh, Chairman Smith. I want to start by thanking Chairman Llood for his partnership on this bill. And I would be remiss if I didn't mention our our ranking member in my good friend, Doctor Da- Danny Davis, who's been a long time champion for our foster youth, he'll be sorely missed uh in our next uh Congress. As the co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth, I am privileged to be able to fight for foster youth, including meeting youth who have lived experience in the foster care system. It's no secret that many youth who age out of foster care experience homelessness. In fact, research shows that up to forty-six percent of youth exiting foster care experience homelessness by age twenty-six. That's thousands of individuals, young people without stable and and consistent uh roofs over their head. This is unacceptable and entirely preventable. This bill, the Foster Youth Housing Opportunity Act, would be a good first step in helping to right this ship. By requiring state child welfare agencies to collaborate with public housing entities that administer programs specifically designed for foster youth we can begin to bridge the gap in housing services for youth, transitioning out of care, and reduce homelessness rates amongst former foster youth. This bill also exempts so-called housing supportive services. uh such as security deposits and utility connection fees from the thirty percent housing cap under Chaffee. This will allow states the opportunity to provide more youth with rental and housing assistance. We know that stable housing is the key to success, safety and improved health outcomes. Without housing stability, it's nearly impossible to hold stable employment, address physical and mental health concerns, and maintain supportive relationships. We owe it to these young people to ensure that they have the tools that they need, not just to survive but to thrive in adulthood. And that starts with safe, accessible, and affordable housing. Passing this bill is the first good step in ensuring that no foster youth is left to fend for themselves on the streets. And I hope my colleagues on this committee will

Thank you, Miss Moore. The committee will now proceed to consideration of H R seventy-four, thirty-two, the Foster Youth Housing Opportunity Act. Without objection, the measure will be considered as read and open for amendment at any point. At this time, I offer an amendment in the nature of a substitute, which was distributed in advance along with a green sheet explaining it. Without objection, the amendment in the nature of a substitute shall be considered as read, open for amendment at

Thank you, Chairman Smith and Ranking Member Neal. Thank you, Chairman Smith and Ranking Member Neal. H R seven four three two, H R seven four three two, the H Foster Youth Housing Opportunity Act modifies title four E the H Foster Youth Housing Opportunity Act modifies title four E of the Social Security Act at section four seven seven, as it relates to the Chafee program for foster youth. The bill makes several several modifications to provide more flexibility to states by modifying the thirty s- thirty percent cap in Chafee for spending on room or board this includes allowing the cap to be determined based on a rolling five year average and creating a new definition of housing supportive services to allow states to exclude services provided to youth, receiving an FYI voucher. Under this definition, supportive services may include counseling on financial literacy, use of credit, money management, counseling on rental lease contracts, and moving costs. The bill also aligns age eligibility between Chaffee and the FYI program up to age twenty-six. Finally, the bill adds a requirement that HHS and HUD provide joint agency guidance to states and public housing agencies to improve coordination. As reflected on the green sheet, the chairman's amendment in the nature of a substitute modifies

Thank you. Are there any technical questions about the amendment and the nature of a substitute? Seeing none, does anyone wish to strike the last word?

Mm.

Mister Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you for holding this hearing. I want to thank all of my colleagues who have participated in this great legislation, uh, that will really, uh, help foster youth in our country. Um, but I can't ignore the broader context. At the same time that we're advancing, uh, legislation to expand, in this case, housing access, um, my Republican colleagues in this administration are pursuing policies that make it harder for Americans to uh, own and to rent homes. The Trump administration has proposed a rule that could put as many as three point seven million people at risk of losing housing assistance, more than half of them children due to the rigid time limits and the burdensome work requirements. In California, my home state alone, that puts approximately three hundred and seventeen thousand people at risk. And this comes on top of an already severe affordability crisis. In my district, median household income falls short of what is needed to qualify for a mortgage on even a bottom-tier home. Buying a modest two-bedroom home is more than fifty percent more expensive than renting. And outdated tax provisions are discouraging homeowners from putting properties on the market further constraining supply. Mister Chairman, we're in a full-blown Incremental steps are good, but they're clearly not enough. We need serious, comprehensive solutions, not more tax advantages for corporate housing developers and venture capital that further distort the market. That's why I introduced the American Affordability Act with my fellow Ways and Means democratic colleagues. It expands the supply of affordable housing by moder- modernizing s- and strengthening low income house uh housing tax credits. Miss DelBene is a leader in that area. It supports renters and homebuyers with refundable tax credits to lower housing cost. Mister Panetta and Mister Gomez are leaders in that space. It incentivizes the conversion of vacant lots and underutilized commercial properties into af- affordable housing. It encourages more homes. to come onto the market by modernizing the capital gains exclusion for homeowners looking to downsize. Mister Panetta is a leader in that area, and it prioritizes development in rural communities and for veterans and tribal populations and I want to thank Mister Swazi, Mister Gomez, Miss Sanchez, and Miss Delbane for their leadership in that area. I'm proud to support this bill today, but our committee's needs to go.

Thank you, Mister Larson.

Uh, thank you, uh, Mister Chairman, and kudos to the committee. I couldn't help but looking out at the, uh, audience and realize because we have all these bipartisan bills, that have such a positive impact on people that uh wow, isn't it a difference when uh that's the case. So when you hear all this talk about how committees don't work together and how Republicans and Democrats can't get along or accomplish something uh kudos to Mister LaHood and Gwen Moore and of course our esteemed Danny Davis for the work that they've done I know that it impacts in my district, uh, clearly nonprofits like the Village for Children and Families and Our Piece of the Pie and Hartford Communities that Care that provide specialized care for foster youth, dealing with complex trauma as well. I would also, uh, uh, Mr. Chairman, also like to point out, uh, and agree with, um, uh, Mr. Thompson as well that, uh, and Mr. Neal that there's more that we could do, and more that we could do together. And uh certainly uh Mister Thompson's uh affordability act is uh one of the areas that I think across the board we could have bipartisan agreement for the work that he's put in there and that we could collectively all share and with that I yield back.

Mister Davis.

Thank you Mister Chairman. Mister Chairman, I strongly support this crucial common sense legislation introduced by my distinguished colleagues Chairman LeHood and Representative Gwen Moore. H R seventy four thirty two, the Foster Youth Housing Opportunity Act is designed to improve coordination across state local and federal government agencies and systems to better meet the housing needs of older foster youth as they navigate the critical transition to adulthood. The bill would also provide greater flexibility for program to help cover housing related costs and services, such as utility connection fees and security deposits that can be insurmountable barriers even for youth who have a way to pay rent. I've long recognized that stable housing like quality food and clean water is a fundamental need for every human in society. This need is even more urgent for transition age foster youth who through no fault of their own find themselves on the brink of independence as they exit or prepare to exit the child welfare system. This committee saw this need first-hand during the pandemic when we joined together to increase housing assistance for older foster youth. I praise this bill for integrating some of our lessons from those bipartisan efforts. Research conducted by Chapin Hall shows that youth transitioning out of foster care face higher risk of housing instability and homelessness compared to their peers, as thirty-one percent to forty-six percent of youth exiting foster care experience homelessness by age twenty-six. These deserving youth require robust extended care options and targeted support, and chief among these supports are dedicated housing resources and assistance. So, Mr. Chairman, I wholeheartedly support this legislation to strengthen housing stability and expand housing options for foster youth, transitioning out of car care. and into a brighter future. In addition to the important first steps in this bill, additional investment in the CHEFER program could help states realize its true potential to increase housing stability or transition aging youth. So in closing, I thank my good friends, Chairman Darren LaHood and Representative Gwen Moore their commitment to improving housing supports and stability for foster youth. I thank you, Mister Chairman, and yield back the balance of my time.

Thank you, Mister Davis. Uh, Mister Beier.

Mister Chairman, thank you very much. I want to thank um all the leaders here, especially Mister Lhood, Miss Moore for putting this together. And and I'm thrilled that we have yet another session here where we're doing this in a largely bipartisan fashion. Um, I intend to vote yes on all these bills, but I do wanna bring up five specific thing that came to me through the voices for Virginia's children. First was that they strongly encouraged us to increase the Chaffee funding by five hundred million. We know that it's remained basically around a hundred and forty million for since nineteen ninety nine. There's a hundred forty million in nineteen ninety nine, it's a hundred and forty three million right now. Obviously inflation's gone up a great, great deal. Three quarters of the eligible youth don't receive any Chaffee services, so While we're serving those quarter, I think, well, we have, we're missing an awful lot of these kids. And when we talk about money that's given back, let's also recognize that the states that do use it have used up virtually ninety-nine point nine percent of those money. The second argument is that we should extend the age of eligibility for Chaffee aftercare services to age twenty-three for all youth. I know about half the states already do it to age twenty-three, but there's half that don't, uh, because they don't have the specific thing. So this eligibility thing would would make a big difference. to make sure that youth all states have that opportunity. The third is to suspend participation requirements for young people in extended foster care. Of course, in general, we would like the kids to be in the work, school and program participations, but if they can't, we need to make sure that they can continue to receive the placement and support services so that they can stay on track to meet their goals. Without it, they may be pushed into homelessness and unsafe situations. Number four is put a moratorium on discharges from the foster care system for those older youth eighteen to Often, that's the critical time in their lives when they're they're just trying to get their feet on the ground. The additional time and support will help young people in child welfare agencies appropriately plan for the successful transition out of care and into adulthood. And finally, let's allow states to draw down the Title IV E funds until a young person reaches age twenty-two uh right now it's only till age twenty-one and again that extra year can make could be the difference for an awful lot of kids um I'm so glad we're doing I intend to support it, and I hope this is just the start of many more necessary reforms to the system. With that, Mr. Chairman, I yield back.

Thank you. Does any additional member wish to strike the last word? Seeing none, um, are there any amendments to the amendment in the nature of a substitute? If there are no amendments, the question is question is on the adoption of the amendment in the nature of a substitute. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye.

Aye.

Those opposed say no. In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it, and the amendment in the nature of a substitute is agreed to. I will now recognize Mr. Buchanan for the purpose of offering a motion.

Mr. Chairman, I move the committee favorably report HR seventy-four thirty-two as amended to the House of Representatives.

The question is on the motion to favorably report HR seventy-four thirty-two as amended to the House of Representatives the clerk will call the roll.

Mr. Buchanan.

Yes.

Mr. Buchanan. Nebraska.

Yes.

Mister Smith of Nebraska, yes. Mister Kelly. Mister Kelly, yes. Mister Schweikert. Mister Schweikert, yes. Mister LaHood. Mister LaHood, yes. Mister Errington. Mister Errington, yes. Mister Estes. Mister Estes, yes. Mister Smucker. Mister Smucker, yes. Mister Hearn.

Yes.

Mister Hearn, yes. Misses Miller. Misses Miller, yes. Doctor Murphy. Doctor Murphy, yes. Mister Kustoff. Mister Kutztopf, yes. Mister Fitzpatrick. Mister Fitzpatrick, yes. Mister Stubbe. Mister Stubbe, yes. Miss Tenney. Miss Tenney, yes. Mrs. Fischbach.

Yes.

Mrs. Fischbach, yes. Mister Moore.

Yes.

Mister Moore, yes. Miss Van Duyn. Miss Van Duyn, yes. Mister Feenstra. Mister Feenstra, yes. Miss Malia Takis. Miss Malia Takis, yes. Mister Kerry. Mister Kerry, yes. Mister Joachim.

Yes.

Mister Joachim, yes. Mister Miller. Mister Miller, yes. Mister Bean.

Yes.

Mister Bean, yes. Mister Moran.

Yes.

Mister Moran, yes. Mister Neal.

Yes.

Mister Neal, yes. Mister Doggett. Mister Thompson.

Aye.

Mister Thompson, yes. Mister Larson.

Yes.

Mister Larson, yes. Mister Davis. Mister Davis, yes. Miss Sanchez, Miss Sanchez, yes. Miss Sewell. Miss DelBene. Miss DelBene, yes. Miss Chiu. Miss Chiu, yes. Miss Moore. Miss Moore, yes. Mister Boyle.

I

Mister Boyle, yes. Mister Beyer. Mister Beyer, yes. Mister Evans. Mister Schneider. Mister Schneider, yes. Mister Panetta. Mister Panetta, yes. Mister Gomez. Mister Horsford. Mister Horsford, yes. Miss Plaskett. Mister Swazi. Mister Swazi, yes. Mister Doggett. Miss Sewell. Mister Evans. Mister Gomez. Miss Plaskett. Chairman Smith. Yes. Chairman Smith. Yes.

The clerk will report the vote.

Mister Chairman, the yeses are forty and the noes are zero.

There being forty yeses and zero noes, the motion is agreed to and H. Thank you. R. seventy-four thirty-two as amended is ordered favorably. Without objection, I ask that staff be authorized to make technical and conforming changes to H R seventy-four thirty-two and that members have two additional days to file with the committee clerk's supplemental additional dissenting or minority views. Our next order of business is H R seventy-four sixty-three, the Foster Youth Post-secondary Education Access and Success Act, introduced by Representatives Judy Chu and Nathaniel Moran, which will provide greater academic support for fostered youth per se. a post-secondary education and increased awareness about the education and training voucher program. Representative Moran has been a leader in identifying these government bureaucracies that government bureaucracy gets in the way of success. He has worked closely with the Texas Workforce Commission to expand opportunities for work for all types of Americans making him a perfect fit to lead this effort on behalf of foster youth. Another Texan, Jaden Martinez, who testified at our round table, made a compelling case to update the Chaffee program to increase the value of the voucher and level the playing field. We're glad to have Texans of all stripes leading this effort, and I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I'm pleased to recognize the gentleman from Texas, Mister Moran, to provide an opening statement.

Thank you, Mister Chairman. I rise in strong support of H. R. seventy-four sixty-three, the Foster Youth Post Secondary Education Access and Success Act. which I am proud to co-lead with Congresswoman Chu. Several weeks ago, I had the privilege of hearing from Jaden Martinez, a student from Stephen F. Austin University, just about an hour from my house. Jaden's st- story is one of resilience in the face of instability, abuse, and constant uncertainty, circumstances no young person should have to endure. His parents were unable to care for him and like so many foster youth, he was forced to navigate life in the midst of uncertainty. Unfortunately, Jaden's experience is not unique. Thousands of young adults aging out of foster care face similar challenges as they try to build a future. At the same time, a Government Ac- Accountability Office report found that in fiscal year twenty twenty-three twenty-eight states returned unused education and training voucher funds, including more than one point three million from my home state of Texas, despite the clear and ongoing need among foster youth for these funds. This statistic alone underscores why this H. R. seventy-four sixty-three strengthens the education and training voucher program by doing two things. First, increasing the maximum a amai- amount annually that can be awarded from five thousand to twelve thousand, without increasing overall program appropriations. And second, by giving states the flexibility to provide a short structured grace period for students who are striking- struggling academically. It aligns with President Trump's directive to ensure that unused federal the funds intended for foster youth are actually redirected to support their e- educational success. This is a practical bipartisan solution that better aligns resources with the needs and give foster youth a fair chance to succeed. We have a responsibility to invest in the next generation, especially those who have had to overcome the greatest obstacles. Students like Jaden are not just stories, they're inspirations and they are the future of this country. I am proud of them.

Thank you. I now recognize the ranking member.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and let me yield my time to the gentlelady from California, Miss Chu.

Thank you. I'm so proud that today this committee is marking up my bill, HR seventy-four sixty-three, the Foster Youth Post-secondary Education Access and Success Act, which I co-lead with Congressmember Nathaniel Moran. Foster youth, faith, so many barriers in so many areas of their lives, including attaining a college education. That's why in two thousand one Congress created Education and Training Vouchers, or ETVs, under the Schaeffe program, which provide foster youth a voucher of up to five thousand dollars per year to attend college. However, during a subcommittee hearing last year, a former foster youth witness described the unique challenges he faced while navigating college. and shared that he wasn't even aware of resources he was eligible for, including ETV, until it was too late. The data backs this up. Currently only about one-third of eligible youth who attend college even receive an ETV. Another witness at the hearing shared that the maximum value of the ETV, five thousand dollars per year, is far too low to truly help cover the cost of higher education. In fact, that amount hasn't been up. since the program was created twenty-five years ago. That's exactly why I in I introduced HR seventy-four sixty-three. My bill would raise the maximum value of the ETV from five thousand dollars to twelve thousand dollars to make higher education more affordable for foster youth. It would also address many of the barriers we know youth face in accessing ETV. First, it would improve state outreach to ensure that more more youth are made aware of ETV. It would also make it easier for youth to apply for ETV by requiring a simplified application that is user-tested, easy to understand, and available electronically. And finally, the bill would help more foster youth maintain their voucher for the full duration of their education. Currently foster youth lose access to ETV if they fall short in meeting their state's satisfactory academic progress. This can happen for many reasons. As we know, foster youth face disproportionate challenges that may hinder their studies. My bill would allow for a grace period for youth who are temporarily struggling so they can get back on track a academically without losing their voucher. This bill will make important progress toward ensuring more foster youth can earn a degree. But if we want to truly ensure that all foster youth can pursue higher education, and follow their dreams, this legislation must also be paired with a corresponding increase in overall funding for Shafi'i ETV. Without an increase, many states will be forced to choose between either raising ETV award amounts or serving fewer young people. In my state of California, for example, The ex- maximum award has already been reduced to four thousand five hundred per year so that states can serve more youth, and yet there are still over six hundred young people on a waiting list to receive ETV. Only additional funding can address these shortfalls and ensure that all youth receive full support. ETV's funding authorization of sixty million dollars hasn't been updated since the program was first created in two thousand one. If this were adjusted for inflation alone, it would probably be over one hundred million dollars now. We must also increase funding for the entire Shafi program, which has only been increased by a measly three million dollars since Congress created the program in nineteen ninety-nine. If we are serious about wanting to improve outcomes, our investments must reflect the real needs of the young people we are trying to serve. So while my bill and other bills being marked up today would make meaningful progress toward ensuring the Shavey program works better for foster youth, we must not stop here. After today's mark-up, I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to increase funding for Shavey and ETV to truly meet the needs of our youth. And I look forward to strengthening other programs that help support older foster youth, such as my bipartisan bill,

Thank you. Thank you. The committee will now proceed to consideration of H R seventy-four sixty-three, The committee will now proceed to consideration of H R seventy-four sixty three, the Foster Youth Post-secondary Education Access and Success Act. the Foster Youth Post-secondary Education Access and Success Act. Without objection, the measure will be considered as read and open for amendment at any point. At this time I offer an amendment in the nature of a substitute, which was distributed in advance along with a green sheet explaining it. Without objection, the amendment in the nature of a substitute shall be considered as read, open for amendment at any point, and considered base text for purpose of amendment. I will now turn to Sheryl Freeman, Work and Welfare Subcommittee Staff Director, to provide a technical description of the amendment in the nature of a substitute with an emphasis on the changes made since introduction. I ask that members hold their questions until after her presentation.

Thank you, Chairman. And then, I'll just go through the names of the candidates. I'll just go through the names of the candidates. I'll just go through the names of the candidates. I'll just go through the names of the candidates. I'll just go through the names of the candidates. I'll just go through the names of the candidates. I'll just go through the names of the candidates. I'll just go through the names of the candidates. I'll just go through the names of the candidates. I'll just go through the names of the candidates. I'll just go through the names of the candidates. I'll just go through the names of the candidates. I'll just go through the names of the candidates. I'll just go through the names of the candidates. I'll just go through the names of the candidates. parenthetical phrase to follow that program instead of training program, and by striking lines sixteen through seventeen. These changes are consistent with the intent of the provisions to correct references and make conforming changes. Mister Chairman, that completes my walk-through. I'm happy to answer any technical questions.

Thank you. Uh, are there any technical questions about the amendment and the nature of a substitute? Mister

No, strike the last strike the last word, sorry.

Oh. Any technical questions? Seeing none, we will move to strike the last

Thank you, Mister Chairman, and I want to thank uh everyone who's worked on this important uh piece of legislation. But again, we're making incremental improvements while our entire education system is under attack. This is like repainting the walls in your kitchen while the foundation is crumbling. We need to make sure that everybody has access to quality, affordable education. And you don't need an advanced degree to know that eliminating successful student loan repayment plans will increase costs for students. You don't need an advanced degree to know that capping borrowing options hiked the cost. And you don't need an advanced degree to know that eliminating the Department of Education will increase costs uh for students. Uh, I support this bill. I encourage everyone uh to vote accordingly. Uh, but I would uh urge everyone on the dais to work together to figure out how we lower uh the cost to make sure everyone will be able to get a good uh education. Failing to do so is gonna make it much more difficult for us to educate our doctors, nurses, teachers, social workers, other professionals, and e- even in the technical space, uh we're really putting students at a disadvantage. So, vote yes, let's agree to work on these issues, let's lower the cost of uh student loans, let's make sure that everybody has access to educational yield back.

Thank you, Mister Davis.

Thank you, Mister Chairman. I strongly support HR seventy-four sixty-three, led by Representatives Chu and Moran, that would improve access to sec- post-secondary education for foster youth. A college degree increases the likelihood of employment and higher earnings. Unfortunately, foster youth face significant barriers to accessing and completing college. Although the vast majority of foster youth want to go to college, less than ten percent of foster youth obtain a two-year or four-year degree by age twenty-three, with men being significantly less likely to complete college. Given that foster youth often experience considerable and given that Pell grants currently cover a small percentage of education expenses, Shafi education and training vouchers are essential supports for foster youth to access and graduate post-secondary education. Indeed, over the past few decades, many foster youth participating in the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute congressional intern program have asked for improvements to these training vouchers. So I applaud this bill for substantially raising the potential amount of these vouchers from five thousand dollars to twelve thousand five hundred, and for making it easier for foster youth to learn about, apply and use education, and train in vouchers. This bill is a strong first step. In addition, our committee the funding needed to deliver twelve thousand five hundred dollars in vouchers for foster youth. In the current environment where discretionary education funds keep getting cut, the Ways and Means Committee is in a unique position to guarantee the delivery of these funds. In addition, research is clear that for many youths, more than education and training vouchers is Research shows that foster youth who attend a four-year college and receive education training vouchers and who participated in college support systems were significantly more likely to graduate, with the first year of college being a critical intervention point. Additional support beyond the vouchers are critical. Further studies by Chapin Hall suggest several predictors associated with college and growth. High school grades, reading proficiency, education encouragement, and participation in independent living. In contrast, contemporary factors like child care responsibilities, working, and economic hardship. I strongly support this bill and urge its passage. foster youth need it tremendously. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Now you're back.

Thank you. Are there additional members that wish to strike the last word? Seeing none, we will move to amendments. Are there any amendments to the amendment in the nature of a substitute? With no amendments, the question is on the adoption of the amendment in the nature of a substitute. All those in favor, signify by saying aye.

I think an aye.

Those opposed, say no. In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it, and the amendment in the

Mr. Chairman, I move the committee favorably report HR seventy-four sixty-three, as amended, to the House of Representatives.

The question is on the motion to favorably report HR seventy-four sixty-three, as amended to the House of Representatives. The clerk will call the roll.

Mr. Buchanan.

Yes.

Mr. Buchanan, yes. Mr. Smith of Nebraska. Mr. Smith of Nebraska, yes. Mr. Kelly. Mr. Kelly, yes. Mr. Schweikert. Mr. Schweikert, yes.

Yes.

Mr. LaHood.

Yeah.

Mr. LaHood, yes. Mr. Arrington. Mr. Arrington, yes. Mr. Estes. Mr. Estes, yes. Mr. Schmucker. Mr. Schmucker, yes. Mr. Hearn.

Yes.

Mr. Hearn, yes. Mrs. Miller. Mrs. Miller, yes. Doctor Murphy. Doctor Murphy, yes. Mr. Kustof. Mr. Kustof.

Yes.

Yes. Mr. Fitzpatrick. Mr. Fitzpatrick, yes. Mister Stubbe.

Yes.

Mister Stubbe, yes. Miss Tenney. Miss Tenney, yes. Mrs. Fischbach. Mister Moore. Miss Van Duyn. Miss Van Duyn, yes. Mister Feenstra. Mister Feenstra, yes. Miss Malia Takis. Miss Malia Takis, yes. Mister Kerry. Mister Kerry, yes. Mister Yockem. Yes. Mister Yockem, yes. Mister Miller. Mister Miller, yes. Mister Bean. Yes. Mister Bean, yes. Mister Moran. Yes. Mister Moran, yes. Mister Neal. Yes. Mister Neal, yes. Mister Doggett. Mister Doggett. Mister Thompson. I Mister Thompson, yes. don't know who to pick. I don't know who to pick. Mister Larson. I can't. Aye. Mister Larson, yes. Mister Davis. Mister Davis, yes. Miss Sanchez. Miss Sanchez, yes. Miss Sewell. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Miss DelBene. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Miss DelBene, yes. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Miss Chu. Miss Chu, yes. Miss Moore. Miss Moore, yes. Mister Boyle. Mister Boyle, yes. Mister Beyer. Mister Beyer, yes. Mister Evans. Mister Schneider.

Yes.

Mister Schneider, yes. Mister Panetta. Mister Schneider. Mister Panetta, yes. Mister Gomez. Mister Horsford. Yes. Mister Horsford, yes. Mister Plaskett. Miss Plaskett. Mister Swazi. I. Mister Swazi, yes. Mrs. Fischbach. Mister Moore.

Yes.

Mister Moore, yes. Mister Doggett. Mister Doggett. Miss Sewell. Mister Evans. Mister Gomez. Miss Plaskett. Chairman Smith.

Yes.

Chairman Smith, yes.

The clerk will report the the vote.

Mister Chairman, the yeses are thirty-nine and the noes are zero.

There being thirty-nine yeses and zero no, the motion is agreed to and H R seventy-four, sixty-three as amended is ordered favorably reported to the House. Without objection, I ask that staff be authorized to make technical and conforming changes to H R seventy-four, sixty-three, and that members have two additional days to file with the committee clerk supplemental additional dissenting or minority views. Our next order of business is H R seventy-three, forty-three, the Foster Youth Workforce Opportunity Act, introduced by Representatives Max Miller and Dwight Evans, which will expand flexibility in the Chaffee Education and Training Voucher Program, to allow youth to access short-term workforce and vocational training and credentialing programs. Since coming to Congress, Congressman Miller has been an outspoken voice in favor of expanding opportunities to people from all walks of life. And he's been an outstanding champion for the vocational training schools in Ohio's seventh congressional district. His effort to insure young people have multiple career pathways to success, closely, closely complements the priorities he's been