Mayor Bass issued the following statement today regarding the United States Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the Indian Child Welfare Act:
“Today’s Supreme Court decision comes as a relief to all those who fight in this country for the rights of children in our child welfare system. Young people who enter our system are some of the most vulnerable children in our country, and we must do all that we can to protect them and support their wellbeing.
“The Indian Child Welfare Act sets a powerful standard for our system. That’s why I worked with my colleagues in Congress to recognize the importance of this law. Just yesterday, I was in Washington D.C. meeting with young people who spent time in foster care as a part of the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth’s annual Shadow Day event. Their messages were clear - there are real steps that our country’s leaders can take to address the harm and pain that too often result from growing up in the child welfare system.
“We can - and we must - do more. I want to thank all of the advocates who fought tirelessly to push for today’s result, including my former staff member Heather Zenone, and for the work they all continue to do to protect the young people of this country.”