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Udall Promotes Legislation To Address Child Well-Being

US Senator Tom Udall (D-NM)
Senator Tom Udall (D-NM)
US Senator Tom Udall (D-NM)

  Senator Udall brought attention to the Saving Our Next Generation…or SONG…Act during a recent conference call with reporters.  Udall introduced the bill…which is designed to increase access to federal education and anti-poverty programs.

"Children are our future workforce," Udall said. "We must break the vicious cycle of poverty. The first step is to invest in child well-being."

Senator Udall urged New Mexico lawmakers to make the health and education of children a top priority as New Mexico is one of the lowest- ranked states in overall child well-being. Udall expressed his support for a proposal that asks voters to amend New Mexico’s constitution to set aside a portion of the state’s permanent fund to pay for effective early childhood programs.  And he says his federal proposal would also give children a better start in life.

"The SONG Act – which stands for Saving our Next Generation – will help do just that," Udall said. "It will invest in Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, Head Start, universal pre-K education and housing assistance. My bill will help ensure New Mexico children have the resources they need to grow up healthy, do well in school and escape the cycle of poverty."

Udall says the goal of improving child well-being in New Mexico will only be met if federal, state and local officials can work together. The bill is endorsed by several children’s well-being organizations in New Mexico.