America’s Moms Applaud Biden/Harris Rule to Reduce Child Care Costs for 100,000 Families
Lisa Lederer, 202/371-1996
“The country’s moms and business leaders applaud the executive order Vice President Kamala Harris announced today, which will cut costs and improve options for some 100,000 families that receive federal child care subsidies. We especially cheer the cap on co-payments for families participating in the Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG) to no more than 7% of income; this will save an average of more than $200 a month for families in states that do not cap co-payments.
“Our nation’s lack of quality, affordable child care is a life-shaping issue for millions of moms and families, and it causes real and lasting harm to businesses and our economy. But the Biden/Harris administration has done what Congress largely has not, time and again finding ways to address the child care crisis and ease the burden it creates. Still, there is more work to do, and moms are counting on Congress to significantly boost federal child care support in the FY 2024 budget it is working on now. Child care makes it possible for moms and parents to hold jobs so they can support their families, participate in the workforce, and contribute to our economy. It is a wise, tremendously beneficial, and badly needed investment.”
-Statement of Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner, Executive Director and CEO, MomsRising
“The steps Vice President Harris announced today will reduce the cost of child care for working families and better support the child care workforce, which is under extreme stress. It delivers on the promise of the historic Executive Order on Care, announced in April of 2023, directing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to reduce child care costs and improve practices. MomsRising members have been taking action and speaking with administration officials, and we are so grateful to see this new rule and have these steps implemented.
“We are especially pleased to see the administration encourage states to eliminate co-payments for families of children with disabilities; children in foster care or Head Start or who are experiencing homelessness; and for families at or below 150% of the federal poverty level – and to encourage states to make it easier for families to access CCDBG funds by streamlining eligibility and enrollment processes and reducing red tape. Our nation and our economy are stronger when children have access to early learning, parents can stay in the workforce, and businesses can find the workers they need.”
-Statement of Lauren Hipp, National Director for Early Learning, MomsRising