Dem Women’s Caucus on POTUS’ Child Care Funding Request: We’ll Fight to Get This Done
***LISTEN TO A RECORDING FROM THE PRESS CALL HERE***
Washington, D.C. – Today, the Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC) held a press call on the path forward to advance critical child care resources following the White House’s request of $16 billion in emergency child care funding. The press call included DWC Chair Lois Frankel, House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro, and House leads on the Child Care Stabilization Act, DWC Members Rep. Sara Jacobs and Rep. Suzanne Bonamici.
Currently, child care costs more than a public college tuition on average—and child care is expected to get more expensive and harder to find after child care funds provided through the American Rescue Plan Act expired on September 30th. Without an infusion of funding, it is estimated that millions of families will lose access to child care and thousands of child care centers will close.
DWC Chair Rep. Lois Frankel said, "Unreasonable child care prices are not only forcing families to choose between care for their children and paying for basic needs, but they're now forcing women to leave the workforce altogether. It's damaging to the financial solvency of families as well as the economic prosperity of our country. As we bring attention to what's happening in the world, we also have to pay attention to what's happening here at home. We're grateful for President Biden making child care a priority in his supplemental domestic funding request, and the Democratic Women's Caucus will be fighting hard for child care funding going forward."
“A basic tenet of quality child care is a low adult-to-child staffing level. But maintaining that ratio, and ensuring each child gets the direct and attentive care they need and deserve, means either each child’s family pays even more, or the provider’s income is hardly above the poverty line. Maintaining the status quo, and forcing parents and providers into these untenable circumstances is not an option,” Ranking Member DeLauro said. “If there is one cause worthy of our investment, it will always be America’s children. Child care is critical infrastructure. When it is accessible and affordable – parents and children thrive. It is long past time that we step up our investments to help parents, improve the social and emotional learning of our children, and help providers deliver the highest level of care.”
Rep. Sara Jacobs said, "I’m so grateful that President Biden’s supplemental appropriations package recognizes our child care crisis and helps providers and families provide and get the care they need. This $16 billion – which is in line with annual funding in the Child Care Stabilization Act, which I’m so proud to co-lead – is a lifeline for providers and families across the country. And I hope that my colleagues across the aisle will join us in supporting this common-sense investment in our future."
Rep. Suzanne Bonamici said, “In every district child care is a need and child care is a good investment. We need to get this funding passed as quickly as possible because it's going to help lower costs for families and also keep the economy strong. And importantly, it will get kids -- the future leaders of our country -- off to a good start.”
The Democratic Women’s Caucus has led the charge in urging action on child care, including by hosting a shadow hearing on the looming funding cliff, endorsing a letter to the President requesting funds for child care in any supplemental request, and endorsing the Child Care Stabilization Act—which would provide urgently needed funding to replenish expired funds. Last month, the Democratic Women’s Caucus also led a letter calling on then-Speaker McCarthy to immediately provide additional child care resources. Most recently, DWC leadership met with White House officials on Tuesday to discuss the Biden Administration’s plan to address the child care cliff.
###