77 Democratic Women’s Caucus Members Join Assistant Speaker Clark’s Letter to President Biden Urging Investments in Child Care
April 7, 2022
CONTACT: Michelle Moreno-Silva
Washington, D.C. – Today, Democratic Women’s Caucus Co-Chairs Congresswomen Lois Frankel (FL-21), Brenda Lawrence (MI-14), and Jackie Speier (CA-14), and Vice Chairs Congresswomen Veronica Escobar (TX-16) and Sylvia Garcia (TX-29) applauded the strong showing of congressional support for investments in child care and pre-k in a letter to President Biden led by DWC Members, Assistant Speaker Katherine Clark (MA-05), Congresswomen Suzanne Bonamici (OR-1), Katie Porter (CA-45), and Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11), as well as Congressman Jamaal Bowman (NY-16), and Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Tina Smith (D-MN). The letter was signed by over 150 lawmakers, including a record 77 DWC members (representing 84% of the Democratic Congresswomen in the House of Representatives). The letter urges passage of the President’s plan to reduce child care costs for families down to 7 percent of their annual income, provide universal pre-K to all 3 and 4-year-olds, and invest in the early childhood workforce and its infrastructure.
“Women have borne the overwhelming weight of caregiving responsibilities during the pandemic, and they have watched their careers, financial security, and mental health suffer,” said DWC Leadership. “That a record 84% of Democratic Congresswomen signed on to invest in child care and pre-k in reconciliation underscores the urgency of lowering care costs for families and supporting an economy that also works for women.”
“For too long, America has failed to recognize child care for what it is: an essential piece of our economic infrastructure. We lose a staggering $57 billion per year in earnings, productivity, and revenue because parents can’t find affordable quality care,” said Assistant Speaker Clark. “Our recovery and our ability to build a better, more inclusive America hinges on us creating a child care system that finally works for working families. This is how we will lower costs for families and ensure that our recovery leaves no one behind -- not one woman, worker, or child. I’m proud to lead this effort on behalf of American families.”
“Addressing our nation’s child care crisis remains essential to boosting labor force participation among mothers, helping lower everyday expenses for families and child care providers who are facing higher costs due to inflation, and ensuring all children access the benefits of quality child care that support positive physical and brain development,” the Members wrote in the letter. “As you know, the high costs of child care and the difficulty of finding quality, affordable child care are challenges facing too many families across the country.”
“Now is the time to make additional comprehensive, long-term investments in affordable, high-quality child care to build on the critical but largely short-term investments made through the American Rescue Plan. It is clear that child care and early learning investments are an integral part of our nation’s strategy for supporting a robust economy, lowering costs for families, and ensuring the long-term success of our children. With your leadership and support, we are ready to make these investments a reality.”
A copy of the letter can be found here.
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