The safety net for children has been pulled out from under them in the past year and especially recent weeks. The Trump administration has cut back on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, funding for community health clinics, and regulations for environmental protection. Legislators have failed to protect children from gun violence.
Although, just this month, more funds have been made available federally, promises to limit assault weapons and ban bump stocks have not been kept. Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler has voted with this administration more than 80 percent of the time.
State Rep. Paul Harris, R-Vancouver, has supported kids, education and teachers, although his fellow Republicans have not. Rep. Liz Pike, R-Camas, Sen. Ann Rivers, R-La Center, Rep. Brandon Vick, R-Felida, and Sen. Lynda Wilson, R-Vancouver, voted against the homeless bill, against expanding the school breakfast program and against recent bills to keep kids safe from guns. According to Northwest Harvest, 1 in 5 kids in Washington lives in a household that struggles to put food on the table. I ask these legislators to imagine their child homeless, hungry or shot. Would that change their vote?
And so, kids advocate for themselves since adults and legislators have failed them. They march for their lives with courage and determination to change their world. Please stand with them!
