EXCLUSIVE: CLARK SAYS MAKE CHILDCARE A PRIORITY — Assistant Speaker Katherine Clark is calling on President Joe Biden to prioritize childcare in his administration's Covid-19 relief efforts.

Clark has been an outspoken advocate for childcare relief throughout the pandemic. Proposals Clark supports, including the Child Care Is Essential Act and the Child Care for Economic Recovery Act, could have a better chance of becoming law now that the White House, Senate and House are controlled by Democrats. Plus, after being elected assistant speaker, Clark has some new congressional clout.

Clark wrote a letter to the president with Oregon Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, a fellow Democrat. The lawmakers praised the $40 billion in childcare funding that Biden has proposed in his American Rescue Plan, and pointed out that women have borne the brunt of the childcare crisis.

"Child care is one of the most pressing and stressful issues facing our families during this pandemic and stabilizing the sector will be a key factor in safely reopening our economy," the letter reads. "We strongly encourage you to make child care a priority in any future COVID-19 relief efforts and throughout your administration."

-----------

Original story here.