Political Quotes

“Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 2683, the Child Care Protection Improvement Act. As a father of three and a member of the Education and Labor Committee, the issue this legislation seeks to improve is near and dear to me. After reauthorizing the Child Care and Development Block Grant in 2014, which passed with broad bipartisan support, Congress added a requirement for States to implement background checks for any childcare employee put in charge of supervising children. Childcare is an essential service as well as a source of employment for many Americans, so safety and care are of the utmost concern. Parents want to know that their children are in a good, honest, and safe environment. However, since this reauthorization, implementation has been very problematic. Many States have experienced a great amount of difficulties actually performing robust background checks. In fact, as of March 1, 2020, only three States have been able to fully implement the required background checks. If passed, this bill will establish a task force at the Department of Health and Human Services to monitor background checks and to make recommendations for improving implementation at childcare businesses. Keeping children safe from harm is a parent's number one concern when they leave them in someone else's care. Parents will be more assured when they know their caretaker and all of its employees have histories absent of criminal activity, sexual abuse, or any other forms of neglect.…”