One hundred and twenty members of Congress fought to protect the interests of children in 2024, according to a new analysis by First Focus Campaign for Children, advancing bills to promote their health and well-being as hard-won supports slipped away.
“In less than two weeks Americans will head to the polls,” said Bruce Lesley, president of First Focus Campaign for Children. “Politicians love to talk about children and there has been plenty of talk this campaign season. But the members of Congress named in this report are those rare lawmakers who put actions behind their words. We invite voters to use this guide as they choose new leaders or support their current ones. There can be no issue more important to the future of the country than the safety, security, and prosperity of our children.”
The 2024 Legislative Scorecard identifies 40 Senators and 80 members of the House of Representatives from both parties as “Champions” or “Defenders” of children. Champions and Defenders earned their title by repeatedly using their legislative power to prioritize the well-being of children at home and abroad — sometimes against the instruction of their party leadership. See the list of recipients here.
First Focus Campaign for Children’s 2024 Legislative Scorecard ranks lawmakers according to votes and bill sponsorships taken during the 118th Congress. The new report examines key pieces of legislation designed to provide high-quality, affordable child care; prevent child labor; improve the child tax credit; better protect foster youth, Native American children, and other underrepresented kids; preserve the U.S. Department of Education; promote mental health access in schools; ensure that all families can afford their child’s insulin; and address other issues critical to advancing the needs of all children everywhere.
Women are 2.7 times more likely than their male peers to be Champions or Defenders. A total of 41% of all women currently serving in Congress earned the distinction compared to 15% of men. Women outnumber men on the scorecard by 62 to 58. Despite making up just 28% of Congress, women comprise a majority of the Champions and Defenders of Children in the 118th Congress.
Support for our nation’s children also breaks down distinctly by region.
- The Northeast is the Region of Champions. 42% of House and Senate members (44 of 106 total members) from the Northeast (Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware) were Champions or Defenders of Children in 2024.
- The West has increased support. The Western region (Alaska, Hawaii, California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Nevada) had 33% of its House and Senate members (30 of 91 total members) named as Champions or Defenders of Children, up from 31% in 2023.
- The Midwest remains in the middle. In 2024, 20% of House and Senate members (19 of 97 total members) from the Midwest (Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and Missouri) qualified as Champions or Defenders of Children.
- The Southeast needs more Champions. Just 12% of House and Senate members from the Southeast region (Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Arkansas) ranked as Champions or Defenders.
- The Southwest and Plains states lag behind. The Southwest (Arizona, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas) and Plains states (Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota) had 11% of their members (11 of 102 total members) represented on the list.
Download the full report here.