Recognizing May as "National Foster Care Month" and acknowledging that the House of Representatives should continue to work to improve the Nation's foster care system.

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 81 · Passed House without amendment · May 6, 2009

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Supports the designation of a National Foster Care Month.

Acknowledges the needs of children in the foster care system.

Honors the commitment and dedication of those individuals who work tirelessly to provide assistance and services to children in the foster care system.

Recognizes the need to continue work to improve outcomes of all children in the foster care system through the title IV program in the Social Security Act and other programs designed to: (1) help children in the foster care system reunite with their biological parents; and (2) find them a permanent, safe, and loving home when they are unable to return to their biological parents.

Read the summary on Congress.gov

PlainBill analysis is coming later. This page presents official source data. We have not yet published a PlainBill explanation for this bill.

People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. McDermott, Jim [D-WA-7] · D–WA

Committees

Ways and Means Committee

10 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

May 6, 2009
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
May 6, 2009
On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5188)
May 6, 2009
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H5188)
May 6, 2009
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 391.
May 6, 2009
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5188-5190)
May 6, 2009
Mr. McDermott moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.
Apr 30, 2009
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Apr 30, 2009
Introduced in House
Apr 30, 2009
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Engrossed in House · May 6, 2009 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML
Introduced in House · Apr 30, 2009 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

HRES 1339 · Expressing support for designation of May as National Foster Care Month and acknowledging the responsibility that Congress has to promote safety, well-being, improved outcomes, and permanency for the Nation's collective children.

Source last updated: Jan 2, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

AI Conversation Starters

Explore the bill from different angles

Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.

Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.Res.391 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.Res.391, 111th Congress: Recognizing May as "National Foster Care Month" and acknowledging that the House of Representatives should continue to work to improve the Nation's foster care system.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-resolution/391

Text version to examine: Engrossed in House · 2009-05-06.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/111/bills/hres391/BILLS-111hres391eh.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-02T16:19:19Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.Res.391 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.Res.391 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.Res.391, 111th Congress: Recognizing May as "National Foster Care Month" and acknowledging that the House of Representatives should continue to work to improve the Nation's foster care system.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-resolution/391

Text version to examine: Engrossed in House · 2009-05-06.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/111/bills/hres391/BILLS-111hres391eh.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-02T16:19:19Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.Res.391 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.Res.391 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.Res.391, 111th Congress: Recognizing May as "National Foster Care Month" and acknowledging that the House of Representatives should continue to work to improve the Nation's foster care system.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-resolution/391

Text version to examine: Engrossed in House · 2009-05-06.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/111/bills/hres391/BILLS-111hres391eh.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-02T16:19:19Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.Res.391 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.Res.391 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.Res.391, 111th Congress: Recognizing May as "National Foster Care Month" and acknowledging that the House of Representatives should continue to work to improve the Nation's foster care system.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-resolution/391

Text version to examine: Engrossed in House · 2009-05-06.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/111/bills/hres391/BILLS-111hres391eh.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-02T16:19:19Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.Res.391 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.