On the recordJuly 30, 2020
As we face the COVID-19 health and economic crisis, childcare centers across our country are on the verge of collapse. The consequences can be felt throughout our society: From children, to childcare workers, to working parents--disproportionately women--who were already struggling to stay afloat given the acute national shortage of affordable childcare services. For these parents, who depend on childcare in order to maintain their careers and pay their bills, the answer is more affordable childcare, not less. The Child Care Is Essential Act would provide direct financial support for childcare providers during and after this crisis. The Child Care for Economic Recovery Act would deliver crucial Federal investments in childcare facilities. These are two immediate steps that we can take on behalf of working families right now. Once we pass this legislation, our focus must turn to addressing the lack of affordability in childcare more so that we can finally ensure that every working family who needs childcare can obtain and afford it. We must support working families by expanding access to at-home learning and childcare. ____________________
