Democratic Women’s Caucus Leaders Urge House Leadership to Advance Emergency Supplemental Child Care Funding

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC) leaders Chair Lois Frankel (D-FL) and Vice Chairs Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM) and Nikema Williams (D-GA) urged House leaders to advance the $16 billion in supplemental child care funding to stabilize the child care industry as requested by President Biden.  

In a letter, the Democratic Women’s Caucus leaders made clear that the funding is needed to address a looming child care crisis: “On September 30th, critical child care funds expired. Without Congressional action, it is estimated that 70,000 child care programs will likely close and approximately 3.2 million children could lose their child care slots.”

The letter to House leadership follows multiple calls by the Democratic Women’s Caucus urging action to address the crisis caused by expired child care funds—including public calls to include $16 billion for child care in an emergency supplemental funding package.

“Because of the high price of child care and loss of critical funding, thousands of families will be impacted. Failing to address this issue will force women out of the workforce and cost states billions of dollars in economic activity. Congress must help American families cut the costs of everyday living. When we invest in our children, we invest in our future,” continued the leaders.

The full letter can be found below and HERE:

Dear Speaker Johnson, Leader Jeffries, Chairwoman Granger, and Ranking Member DeLauro,

As leaders of the Democratic Women’s Caucus, we urge you to include robust funding for child care in fiscal year 2024 appropriations. We also urge you to take up the $16 billion in supplemental child care funding to stabilize the child care industry as requested by President Biden as soon as possible.

On September 30th, critical child care funds expired. Without Congressional action, it is estimated that 70,000 child care programs will likely close and approximately 3.2 million children could lose their child care slots.

Because of the high price of child care and loss of critical funding, thousands of families will be impacted. Failing to address this issue will force women out of the workforce and cost states billions of dollars in economic activity. Congress must help American families cut the costs of everyday living. When we invest in our children, we invest in our future.

Sincerely,

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