Save the Children Action Network (SCAN) Statement on U.S. Presidential Election Result

November 7, 2020

SCAN Board Chair and Save the Children CEO: “Joe Biden Has a Strong Record on Children’s Issues”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: Suzanne Arnold, [email protected], (609) 610-4957 (M)

Washington, D.C. (November 7, 2020) – Following the U.S. Presidential election result announced today, Save the Children Action Network (SCAN) Board Chair and Save the Children CEO Janti Soeripto issued the following statement:

Save the Children and Save the Children Action Network (SCAN) together congratulate presumptive President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. From COVID to conflict and inequality to climate change, the stakes for children have never been higher or more pressing.

Joe Biden has a strong record on children’s issues and we look forward to working with the new administration, the 117th Congress, governors and elected leaders at all levels to ensure lasting, equitable change for children in the United States and around the world. Save the Children is calling on the newly-elected President and Members of Congress to:

  • Address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S. by supporting programs for children, specifically $50 billion in funding for child care programs and increasing SNAP benefits for children and families to ensure kids don’t go hungry.
  • Protect the rights of all children seeking asylum in the U.S., especially children coming through the southern border. These children should be allowed to apply for asylum and have their best interests protected throughout the asylum process.
  • Tackle the COVID-19 pandemic globally by supporting a COVID supplemental bill that includes $20 billion in funding to help address the worst impacts on children around food insecurity, violence, and loss of education – with a particular focus on supporting girls and children affected by conflict.
  • Restore U.S. leadership on the global stage with a strong International Affairs budget request and by re-asserting U.S. leadership on global health, gender equality, humanitarian response and climate change.
  • Launch a new initiative for investing in adolescent girls globally as a way to create a more stable and equal future.

In this critical time of transition, Save the Children – together with SCAN – is calling on all U.S. elected officials to focus on the urgent needs of children. You can read more about our vision for children today and in the future by visiting SavetheChildren.org/playbook.

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Save the Children Action Network (SCAN) was created in 2014 as the political advocacy arm of Save the Children, to be the political voice for kids. We work to ensure that the issues critical to children’s lives and futures are given top priority by our elected leaders, building bipartisan support to make sure every child has a strong start in life.