by Bruce Lesley, Kathy Sacco, and Leila Ninatallah Mary (not her real name) was just a girl of eight when her mother fell ill. So ill that her mom no longer had the strength to dress, bathe or feed her children. HIV consumed her body, and with it came the…

Birthright citizenship, enshrined by the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, has stood as a pillar of inclusivity since its ratification in 1868. It reads: All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State…

by Bruce Lesley, Messellech “Selley” Looby, and Leila Nematallah It is well past time to have a national conversation about the now and future of our young people. We are failing our children and they cannot wait for our nation’s leaders to do something about it. Bruce’s mother, a lifelong…

NOTE: I am now also posting on Substack and urge people to follow First Focus on Children and me there. As part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) in 2021, Congress made unprecedented investments in children, as the share of federal spending on kids rose from an all-time low…

Just days after the end of Children’s Week, Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) and Rep. Marianette Miller-Meeks (R-IA) introduced the Child Tax Credit for Pregnant Moms Act (S. 2092/H.R. 4258). …

This blog was updated on June 15 to reflect the introduction of a Senate bill on the Child Tax Credit and an amendment offered in the House on the Child Tax Credit. Child poverty in our nation negatively impacts every aspect of the lives of children — their health, education…

During the House debt ceiling debate, several members of Congress evoked the “next generation” as a newly discovered interest and reason for addressing the federal budget deficit. While we appreciate the fresh interest in children and agree that the deficit is an issue of importance to the next generation, it…

On the House floor in last week’s debate over the debt ceiling bill (H.R. 2811), the House of Representatives passed a policy (217–215) that would cut 22% or more from education, child health, early childhood, child care, nutrition, homelessness, and child abuse prevention programs. In the debate, House Budget House…

Education is a children’s issue. While we have heard a great deal from politicians and well-funded right-wing groups about parental rights in education, education is a children’s issue. Their needs, concerns, and well-being must no longer be ignored by adults, including politicians. …