Bill · H.R. 7432· House(119-HR-7432)
Fostering the Future Act
- Introduced
- 2/9/2026
- Last activity
- 5/20/2026 — Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- Sponsored by
- Darin LaHood
- Cosponsors
- - 4 - 2
- Introduced
- Passed House
- In Senate committee
What this bill would do
The Fostering the Future Act aims to modernize the Social Security Act to better support foster youth transitioning into adulthood. It expands educational opportunities by including costs for apprenticeships, general equivalency degrees, and remedial education. The bill also increases the maximum education and training voucher amount and improves access to housing through supportive services. Additionally, it focuses on connecting expectant and parenting youth with home visiting and support services. The Act seeks to improve youth awareness of available benefits through simplified application processes. Finally, it emphasizes building sustained, supportive relationships and lifelong connections for youth in the system.
Yes· 3 of 7
Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this?+8
The bill provides increased financial and housing support for youth transitioning into adulthood.
Does this make college cost less?+8
The bill increases the maximum education and training voucher from $5,000 to $12,000.
Does this make housing cost less?+7
The bill allows funds to be used for supportive services like security deposits and lease counseling to help youth retain housing.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Expanded Educational Opportunities: The bill allows vouchers to be used for apprenticeship programs, obtaining a general equivalency degree, or receiving remedial education (Section 2).
-
Increased Financial Support for Education: The maximum amount for education and training vouchers is increased from $5,000 to $12,000 (Section 3).
-
Extended Program Participation: For youth involved in remedial education, the period of participation can be extended to more than 6 years (Section 2).
-
Improved Housing Access and Stability: States may use funds to provide supportive services—such as financial literacy, help with rental leases, and assistance with security deposits—to help youth obtain or keep housing (Section 5).
-
Enhanced Outreach and Ease of Use: The bill requires states to make reasonable efforts to ensure youth are aware of benefits and mandates a simplified, user-tested electronic application process (Section 4).
-
Support for Expectant and Parenting Youth: The Act allows for tailored case management and resource coordination specifically for youth who are expectant or parenting (Section 10).
-
Connection to Early Childhood Services: Foster youth in eligible families can be connected with evidence-based home visiting and support services (Section 9).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No explicit negative impacts or burdens are mentioned in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Young Adults+8Good For Low Income Households+6Good For People With Disabilities+1
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Affordable Housing+7Improves Poverty Reduction+5
- Education And Technology
- Improves College Affordability+8
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Job Creation+3
- 5/20/2026
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- 5/19/2026
- The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3558-3560)
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3558-3560)
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 7432.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3558-3564)
- Mr. Smith (MO) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- 5/11/2026
- Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-643, Part I.
- Committee on Financial Services discharged.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 560.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/29/2026
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 40 - 0.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- 4/27/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/9/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
6 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
- 119-HR-7343: Foster Youth Workforce Opportunity Act
- 119-HR-7463: Foster Youth Postsecondary Education Access and Success Act
- 119-HR-7529: Fresh Starts for Foster Youth Act
- 119-HR-7655: Support for Expectant and Parenting Foster Youth Act
- 119-HR-7995: CONNECT Act
- 119-S-4854: Foster Youth Housing Opportunity Act
Vern BuchananRepublican · Florida
Danny DavisDemocrat · Illinois
Michael LawlerRepublican · New York
Nicole MalliotakisRepublican · New York
Gwen MooreDemocrat · Wisconsin
David SchweikertRepublican · Arizona