U.S. Rep. John Rose Votes to Reauthorize the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Visiting Program with Key Program Improvements in Honor of the Late Congresswoman Walorski

Washington, D.C.--On Friday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 8876, the Jackie Walorski Maternal and Child Home Visiting Reauthorization Act of 2022, by a vote of 390 – 26. U.S. Rep. John Rose (TN-06), a cosponsor of the bill, voted “Yes” to reauthorize the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Visiting program (MIECHV) and increase annual funding by $500 million over the next five years.

U.S. Rep. Rose released the following statement:

“I couldn’t think of a better way to honor Congresswoman Walorski than by passing this legislation, that not only helps to ensure the success of at-risk children, but it does so in a more targeted and accountable way,” said Rep. Rose. “I’m very pleased that this legislation requires the federal government to reduce administrative burdens, so states can focus on improving family outcomes.”

The legislation includes an increase in base funding for every state and territory and additional matching grant opportunities; however, it also includes a targeted funding formula that will allocate new funds to states based on their share of children under age 5, including disadvantaged children. The bill also ensures the bulk of grant funding is spent directly on services by limiting administrative spending to 10%.

The legislation includes important safeguards, including a new “outcomes dashboard,” allowing Congress and the public to get an annual report on the program’s success. It also limits the use of virtual home visits and requires at least one in-person visit per year.

Background: The MIECHV program helps new parents and their children from before birth through kindergarten with in-home support. It’s been proven to improve maternal and child health, safety, and school readiness.

U.S. Representative John Rose is currently serving his second term representing Tennessee's Sixth Congressional District and resides in Cookeville with his wife, Chelsea, and their two sons, Guy and Sam. The Sixth District includes Cannon, Clay, Coffee, Cumberland, DeKalb, Fentress, Jackson, Macon, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, Robertson, Smith, Sumner, Trousdale, White, and Wilson counties as well as portions of Cheatham and Van Buren counties. Representative Rose is an eighth-generation farmer, small business owner, and attorney, and currently serves on the House Financial Services Committee.