House Democrats and Republicans Urge Leadership to Prioritize Child Care Funding in Recovery Package

Two new letters – one signed by 41 House Republicans and the other from 72 House Democrats – have been sent to leadership calling for the recovery package to include emergency relief funding for child care.

From House Republicans, led by Representatives Rodney Davis (R-IL) and Tom Emmer (R-MN):

As Congress considers additional relief efforts for those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, it is critically important that child care providers receive timely and targeted assistance during this challenging period to help stabilize the industry. In the wake of widespread closures, additional federal relief will ensure that child care providers are able to survive this crisis in order to remain viable and available to serve children and families that depend on them. Parents, and the American economy, are relying on the child care industry for a successful economic recovery.

From House Democrats, led by Representative Katherine Clark (D-MA):

Unfortunately, the CARES Act did not provide enough funds to stabilize the  industry and the Paycheck Protection Program provided short-term relief to less than 6 percent of all child care providers. Child care is too essential to fail. The upcoming stimulus must invest in child care so that we can stabilize and secure American families and our economy. The House passed H.R. 7027, the Child Care is Essential Act and H.R. 7327, the Child Care for Economic Recovery Act in a bipartisan manner. This was a monumental first step. Passing those bills as part of the upcoming stimulus package must be a top priority so that we can begin the hard work of rebuilding and revitalizing our future.

Read more from the Republican letter here, and from the Democratic letter here.

Final negotiations on the economic recovery package are in full swing, and reports indicate a bill could be finalized as early as this Friday.

Read the latest on where things stand for child care with these negotiations.