WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-5) issued the following statement on the Commerce Department's announcement that semiconductor manufacturers must provide workers with access to quality, affordable child care in order to access federal funding under the CHIPS & Science Act.

"I applaud President Biden and Secretary Raimondo for championing child care in the implementation of the Democrats' CHIPS & Science Act. The pandemic highlighted an important truth: child care is economic infrastructure. It doesn't matter what state I'm in or who I'm speaking to – from business leaders to working parents – the high cost of child care is one of the major obstacles impeding our economic recovery and growth.

"By connecting our federal manufacturing investment to child care accessibility, we will create good jobs, diversify our workforce, bolster the economic security of working families, and improve our global competitiveness. This is the path to a more prosperous, self-reliant, and secure America."