U.S. Senate Candidates Share Views on Child Issues

As election campaigns begin their final two months, Every Child Counts has released statements from U.S. Senate candidates Chuck Grassley and Roxanne Conlin on eleven important federal child policy issues.  (Last week we released the Gubernatorial Candidates views).

The federal government has a critical role in giving all children the opportunity for a bright future.  The federal budget includes over $100 billion annually in funds directed to child and family well-being and development, including health, mental health, nutrition, education, and family economic security.  Federal actions shape state child and family policy.

The responses by Senate candidates to the eleven questions are provided on the "It's About Our Kids Website."  The questions themselves were developed by a coalition of twenty-two Iowa policy and advocacy organizations.

 We are grateful to the candidates for responding to the survey and providing their thoughtful comments. It shows their commitment to and understanding of children's issues as a critical federal government role.

We hope you will study the responses and visit the website.  We want itsaboutourkids.org to be a 'one-stop' shop for voters concerned about child policy.  Candidates are willing to share their positions on important children's issues, but it is up to voters to ensure that child and family policy is part of the upcoming election discussion and debates.  While electing candidates is important, electing children's issues is just as important.