Democratic Women’s Caucus Joins 133 Lawmakers in Calling for $700B For Child Care in Infrastructure Package
CONTACT: Michelle Moreno-Silva
Washington, D.C. – Today, Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC) Co-Chairs Congresswomen Brenda Lawrence (MI-14), Jackie Speier (CA-14), and Lois Frankel (FL-21), and Vice Chairs Congresswomen Veronica Escobar (TX-16) and Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), joined a letter led by Assistant Speaker Katherine Clark (MA-5), Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (OR-1) and Jamaal Bowman (NY-16), and Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) that was sent to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (CA-12), House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (CA-23), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) urging them to include at least $700 billion over 10 years in direct spending on child care in the upcoming infrastructure package. The letter was signed by 133 lawmakers, including 64 DWC members.
“As the pandemic has made clear, child care is essential infrastructure that makes all other work in our country possible. High-quality child care also has long-lasting benefits for young children’s development. The next funding package should include at least $700 billion over 10 years in direct spending for long-term, structural investments in child care. We believe that this is a generational opportunity to invest in affordable, quality care for all children who need it, and we urge you not to let it go to waste,” the Members wrote.
Even before COVID-19, many families were struggling to find affordable, quality child care. A national analysis found that half of all families live in neighborhoods classified as child care deserts, where there is an insufficient supply of quality child care. On average, child care deserts have maternal labor force participation rates that are three percentage points lower than in areas with a sufficient supply of child care providers. Despite child care workers being crucial to our economy, they rank among the bottom two percent of positions by salary.
Click here for a copy of the letter.
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