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First lady Melania Trump launched a plea to lawmakers on Wednesday, calling for “awareness measures” to secure the future of America's foster children by turning her latest executive action into permanent law.
During a bipartisan congressional committee meeting, Trump outlined his vision for turning at-risk youth into financially independent business owners, explaining that the American dream should be “their birthright.”
While describing the Fostering the Future executive order he signed in November as a “transformational idea,” he said Congress now has an opportunity to create lasting, positive impact by passing permanent legislation.
Since he started his national program, Fostering the Future, in 2021, the program has a track record at more than 20 universities across the country, including major institutions such as LSU, the University of Virginia, the University of Texas and Ohio State University.
First lady Melania Trump listens as she opens her speech to the House Ways and Means Committee on the foster care program at the Longworth House Office Building on Wednesday in Washington, DC. (Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images)
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Rather than relying on endless government aid, Trump said his goal at the university level is to prepare foster children to find jobs, become financially independent, start new businesses and create jobs.
He also highlighted the roadblocks to the current system, noting that only about 3% of the population in the community is being raised by people who receive a college degree.
First Lady Melania Trump and Rep. Jason Smith, R-Mo., arrived to attend a House Ways and Means Committee hearing on the development of legislation to protect American foster children, his second major legislative initiative of the Trump administration, on Wednesday on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)
“We can close this gap, but even so, youth raising children who are not born face special challenges outside the classroom that have a significant impact on their academic performance,” Trump said.
“These problems include housing instability, education barriers, financial barriers [and] the continuation of transportation,” he continued.
“The new foster care community law is a moral imperative.”
First lady Melania Trump gives opening remarks at a roundtable discussion with the House Ways and Means Committee on the foster care program. (Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images)
The first lady added that protecting the welfare of foster children helps “shape the integrity of our nation” and reminded the bipartisan lawmakers that “American children are morally equal.”
Jocelyn Fetting, center, and Jaden Martinez, right, who were in the foster care program, speak during a roundtable discussion about foster care Wednesday in Washington, DC. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
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“As parents and leaders, it is our responsibility to ensure that America's children grow up emotionally and physically in a safe environment,” Trump said.
“As a society, we strive to nurture our children's curiosity, protect their innocence and guide them with caring hearts. … But to get there, a strong knowledge base is needed. Education is the cornerstone of a child's future.”
