As deadline approaches, Melania Trump gives lawmakers a closed-door ultimatum: “I want this on Donald’s desk by…”
Melania Trump’s most important legislative initiative is in danger of failing as a self-imposed August deadline approaches, with the bill currently stalled in the Senate.
The 56-year-old first lady has less than a month to meet a deadline she has set privately for key foster care legislation that must be approved by the Senate before Congress begins its August recess.
at a bipartisan roundtable capitol hill April, Melania Trump Missouri Rep. Jason Smith told Politico on Friday that she told House members that her goal is to get the bill to President Donald Trump “before the August recess.”
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The annual August recess of Congress will begin on August 10
Congress will begin its annual August recess on Aug. 10, giving the Senate until Sept. 8 limited time to take action before lawmakers leave Washington.
This legislation is part of the First Lady’s “Nurture the Future” initiative to increase access to housing, education and workforce training programs for individuals who qualify in the foster care system.
According to Politico, Smith was initially unsure about the wisdom of inviting the first lady to the bipartisan meeting because “Democrats really don’t like her husband.” However, Melania moved on and has since planned a roundtable Donald Trump The “Fostering the Future” executive order was enacted in November.
During the discussion, she emphasized that only 3 percent of foster children earn college degrees and described the legislation as a “moral imperative.”
Melania Trump issues closed-door warning to lawmakers
Smith said in private conversations that the first lady was clear about her goals.
“I hope to have this on Donald’s desk during the August recess,” she directed lawmakers.
The bill faced minimal opposition in the House and passed unanimously. At a congressional picnic at the White House on the day of the vote, both the president and the first lady called on the Senate to act quickly.
“Hopefully it will pass the Senate soon,” Melania said. “I’m sure it will. It’s a great thing.”
However, the bill remains stalled in committee, and the president has not made any public calls to the Senate on the measure since the picnic, Politico reported.
Federal data shows that there are currently more than 400,000 children in foster care across the United States.
