WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-5) joined Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-3), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), and Chair of the Senate Appropriations LHHS Subcommittee Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) to celebrate President Biden’s domestic supplemental funding request that includes $16 billion to lower child care costs for families and keep child care providers in business. Below is a transcript of her remarks:

“Today, President Biden has answered the urgent call of parents and providers across the country. He is joining with Congressional Democrats to declare what has long been known to be true: child care is economic infrastructure. Ask any parent. Ask any business owner. Ask any caregiver.

“Under President Biden, we have just taken major strides toward a more just, more stable care economy. During the pandemic, it was Democrats that kept 220,000 care centers open. We kept over 9 million kids in classrooms and more than 1 million early educators on the job. But while House Republicans fought among themselves, they allowed this funding to run out. And that’s why Senator Murray, Ranking Member DeLauro, and I have joined Democrats in both chambers to introduce the Child Care Stabilization Act. 

“And today, President Biden has included the heart of this legislation in his supplemental request: $16 billion to lower costs for families and keep our care economy afloat. This is going to mean a quality education for more kids, peace of mind for more parents, and job security for more providers. Our vision is to grow the economy by growing the middle class. Child care is how you make it happen. 

“It has long been past time to get this critical funding to the President’s desk. I am so grateful to my partners on this call for the work you’re doing and the urgency [with] which we are going to push our colleagues to do this — because Senator Murray is right. This is the call of the American people. It is our time to get this critical funding through the House and the Senate and to the President’s desk.”

For the complete press conference, click HERE. 

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