Pascrell Supports Needed Investment in America's Child Care

Statement

U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) today praised House passage of two measures that he cosponsors to invest more than $60 billion in America's child care industry amid the worsening COVID-19 pandemic. The Child Care is Essential Act (H.R. 7027) would appropriate $50 billion for the establishment of a grant program within the Department of Homeland Security's Child Care and Development Block Grants that would aid providers impacted by COVID-19. The Child Care for Economic Recovery Act (H.R. 7327) would create and expand tax credits for the industry and appropriate $10 billion to help states improve their child care infrastructure.

"With millions out of work and growing uncertainty surrounding the upcoming school year, today we are moving to provide some much-needed peace of mind to parents and guardians nationwide," said Rep. Pascrell, co-sponsor of both bills and longtime supporter of expanded access to affordable child care. "This pandemic has exposed unsustainable holes in American society and child care is no exception. How can parents return to work without knowing their child is in good hands? The simple answer is: They can't. It is unconscionable that any American should have to choose between providing for their family or caring for their children. Today, House Democrats have moved to alleviate these concerns and expand America's child care capacity for generations to come. Now more than ever, American families must have access to affordable child care and I will not stop fighting until they do. This is non-negotiable."

For years, Rep. Pascrell has led efforts to increase access to affordable child care services nationwide. He introduced legislation in 2015 to expand child care access to middle and working class families. Recently he helped secure more than $63 million in child care grants for New Jersey, the funding for which was provided by House Democrats' CARES Act which Pascrell supported in March.

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