Moms Leader Praises Additional Investments in Care Infrastructure in FY24 Federal Budget, But Warns Too Many Urgent Needs of Moms and Families Are Being Ignored
Lisa Lederer, 202/371-1996
“The FY24 federal budget Congress passed late last night contains some very welcome and badly needed advances, but in other ways lets moms and families down. Moms applaud the nearly $1 billion increase for child care and Head Start, which is a significant win not only for moms and families but also for businesses and our economy. Moms thank U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) for prioritizing child care and early childhood, families, child care providers, and businesses. We are grateful that our champions in Congress will continue to work alongside moms to pass comprehensive solutions in the near future, knowing that this investment is a starting point and not the finish line for families, providers, and our economy.
“Moms are similarly pleased with the $150 billion investment in improving access to care and jobs for care workers. But we know that the care workforce will not be strong until we create a path to citizenship for DACA recipients and other immigrant care workers. We know, as well, that the nation urgently needs paid family and medical leave if we are to set up moms, families, businesses and our economy to thrive. It is a profound loss for the country that paid family and medical leave is not supported in this budget.
“We welcome the increases in maternal health, maternal mental health, and mental health services, as well as rural health programs. But it is disappointing that lawmakers rescinded half of the IRS enforcement money, which held enormous promise for making sure the wealthiest individuals and corporations finally paid their fair share. That would help fund essential care infrastructure, health, and food and nutrition programs families need. And it is disgraceful that Congress did not increase Title X spending at this time when our country is facing a women’s health crisis.
“Still, we are pleased that many of the harmful “poison pills” proposed by House Republicans – attacks on women’s reproductive health and abortion care, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrant families, and the environment – were dropped from this funding bill. But moms also support balanced, constructive solutions to our immigration policies and on that, too, Congress has let the country down.
“America’s moms are relieved that Congress finally completed its work on the FY24 budget, nearly six months after the Fiscal Year began, and that a large part of the federal government will not shut down. We look forward to addressing many of the gaps in this budget in FY25.”