Representative Scanlon Named a 2020 Champion for Children

Representative Mary Gay Scanlon is a longtime advocate for children and has made the kids of Pennsylvania’s 5th District a central focus of her work in Congress since she first took office in 2018. Recently, Rep. Scanlon was named a 2020 Champion for Children by the bipartisan advocacy organization First Focus Campaign for Children. Just 40 members of the U.S. House of Representatives receive this distinction each year.

First Focus Campaign for Children’s 2020 Legislative Scorecard ranks members of Congress according to votes and bill sponsorships taken during the 116th Congress that prioritize the well-being of our nation’s children. The group’s 45-page report examines key pieces of legislation on children’s health insurance, child hunger, homelessness, tax credits, treatment of immigrant children, international adoption, and other issues critical to advancing the needs of our kids and families. Just 120 members of Congress in total, across both chambers and parties, were named Champions or Defenders for children in the 116th Congress. See the list of winners here.

Rep. Scanlon was recognized in the 2020 Legislative Scorecard for sponsoring two key bills: the Justice for Juveniles Act and the Help Grandfamilies Prevent Child Abuse Act.

In addition, Rep. Scanlon and her office have taken a number of steps to help the children and families of PA-05, including:

• Championed provisions in the American Rescue Plan, such as the expanded Child Tax Credit and SNAP benefits, that will lift children out of poverty.
• Secured over $21 million in federal funding to support early, secondary, and post-secondary education initiatives in the district during her first term.
• Advocated for healthy meals in schools and increased attention to the mental health struggles of students.
• Hosted regular meetings with the Congressional Youth Cabinet, a group of high school juniors and seniors from across the district interested in government and policy.
• Chairs the Youth Mentoring Caucus, a bipartisan group of members of Congress working to improve outcomes for kids by closing the ‘mentoring gap’ for the one and three young people currently growing up without a mentor.

A former school board member, Rep. Scanlon’s commitment to children runs deep. She has previously been recognized for her advocacy on behalf of children by the Philadelphia Bar Association, the Support Center for Child Advocates, and the Education Law Center of Pennsylvania.