Newly Elected California Congressional Delegation Members Take A Stand For Children

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Ten newly elected members of the California Congressional Delegation urged their colleagues to protect funding for programs that impact the lives of infants, toddlers, and their families, in California and across the country.

The letter, circulated by Representative-elect Julia Brownley with the support of First 5 LA calls on the members of the 112th Congress to keep in mind the impact of budget decisions on the youngest and most vulnerable children and families in California as they deliberate possible solutions to the fiscal cliff.

First 5 LA Executive Director Kim Belshe lauded the new lawmakers for their support of young children in the budget deliberations. "The efforts of Congresswoman-elect Brownley and her colleagues are to be commended. It is particularly noteworthy that these newly-elected representatives did not wait to be sworn in before standing up for children and families."

Congress faces some tough budget decisions between now and the end of the year. President Obama and Congressional leaders have been trading proposals for solving the growing federal deficit and debt problem, with no apparent resolution in sight. Absent an agreement, automatic spending cuts (sequestration) will be triggered and federal programs across-the-board will face significant reductions.