Deb Haaland: “Childcare is a vital part of economic recovery. I know what it is like to struggle to make ends meet as a parent. I…”

“Childcare is a vital part of economic recovery. I know what it is like to struggle to make ends meet as a parent. I raised my daughter, Somah, on my own. And as a single mother working my way through law school, it was very hard to find childcare. In fact, I could never afford childcare. When she was 2, I found a preschool where I could volunteer in exchange for lower tuition so that she would have a place to learn while I worked. It was helpful and shows just how much New Mexicans are willing to support each other. But that should not be the reality for parents and kids across the country. During the pandemic, our State has helped childcare providers stay open by paying licensed providers a premium, but many of them still had to lay off employees because fewer children were showing up. As we look to a future when more parents get back to working outside their home, the childcare industry needs Federal support to safely adapt to the new normal and welcome families and employees back. That is why I am supporting the Child Care for Economic Recovery Act. This bill funds upgrades in childcare centers that are needed to meet new health and safety measures for the pandemic; it provides refundable tax credits for parents to return to their jobs; and, most importantly, it ensures a satisfactory, affordable, and guaranteed future for the childcare industry. Madam Speaker, by investing in the childcare industry, we invest in our economic future.…”