As Mother’s Day approaches, we’re celebrating a powerful display of MOMentum at the U.S. Capitol last week. Moms came together from across the nation to make sure our leaders heard the real impact of the affordability crisis on moms, families, small businesses, and our economy.

Together, we delivered a clear message to Congress: Moms can’t afford to wait any longer for lower costs. Join us now in telling Congress to make life affordable for families and stop cutting our health care, child care, and healthy food for kids.

Moms Take the Lead in Congressional Testimony

Last week marked a first: The first-ever mom-centered Congressional hearing on the affordability crisis and its impact on moms and families was held. Three MomsRising members, along with MomsRising leadership, testified in Congress about how the rising cost of child care, health care, groceries, and gas is squeezing our families until the math simply doesn't math anymore.

Powerful personal stories and policy needs were shared — as dozens of moms walked the halls of Congress bringing the “receipts” from MomsRising members around the country as proof of this affordability crisis. Receipts ranged from $6,000+ out-of-pocket medical bills to child care costs that rival second mortgages. All the receipts and a book of stories were given directly to leaders, representing moms across the nation who are working hard to keep their heads above water.

• Julie, a middle school teacher from Michigan, testified: "Paying for child care has been an enormous challenge. Before [my son] started elementary school, his child care cost about as much as our mortgage. I don’t know many people who can afford two mortgage payments!"
• Nicole from Florida testified about the terrifying reality of our health care system: "I’ve been dealing with a health issue that’s landed me in the ER... the nurse called me and told me the out-of-pocket cost would be nearly $6,000 — at an in-network, nonprofit hospital. I canceled the appointment.”
• Samantha, a child care director in Georgia, testified about her experience: "When families’ budgets are squeezed, some are forced to pull their kids out of care... One mom recently told me she might not be able to bring her daughter to school because she can’t afford the high cost of gas.”

The Economic Reality for Families

While President Trump and his allies in Congress called the affordability crisis a "hoax," moms know it is all too real:

• A pound of hamburger now costs more than the federal minimum wage.
• The cost of child care now exceeds the price of public college in most states — and more than rent in 17 states.
• Millions of Americans are being pushed off health care altogether as health care premiums double, triple, and even quadruple.
• The cost of the basic pillars of living — housing, health care, food, and child care — now consumes so much of the household budget that a typical family needs an annual income of $145,000 just to get by.

Don’t forget to add your name to build MOMentum for solutions to the affordability crisis this Mother’s Day.

We know the solutions: Affordable child care, paid family/medical leave, and lowering the costs of everyday essentials. These aren't just "mom issues" — they are economic imperatives. Passing these policies would boost our GDP by 3 percent and help close the motherhood wage gap, where moms overall are still paid just 74 cents for every dollar paid to dads.

Together, we are the persistent force that will move this nation toward a future where every family can afford to thrive.

— Kristin, Donna, Ruth, Olivia, Valeria, Lauren, Nina, Felicia, Hanna, and the whole MomsRising.org & MamásConPoder Team

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the ‘Moms Pay the Price’ hearing?
It was a historic Congressional hearing where moms testified directly to lawmakers about how inflation and the lack of social infrastructure, like affordable child care and health care, are impacting family budgets.

Why are families being told they need $145,000 to thrive?
Recent studies indicate that when you combine the skyrocketing costs of housing, health care, food, and child care, half of American families fall short of the income needed for basic economic stability.

How can I help lower costs for families?
You can join MomsRising in demanding that Congress prioritize funding for child care, SNAP, and health care. Sharing your personal story about rising costs is one of the most effective ways to influence policy change.

References

1. President Trump Remarks on the Economy | C-SPAN.org
2. A Pound of Ground Beef Now Costs More Than the Federal Minimum Wage | Money
3. Updated resource calculates the cost of child care in every state | Economic Policy Institute
4. Since Congress Let Obamacare Subsidies Expire, Millions Are Dropping Coverage | New York Times
5. ACA Marketplace Premium Payments Would More than Double on Average Next Year | KFF
6. A typical U.S. family needs annual income of $145,000 to thrive, study finds | CBS News
7. Trump says it's 'not possible' for the U.S. to pay for Medicaid, Medicare and child care | NBC
8. The Impact of Equal Pay on Poverty and the Economy | IWPR
9. The Wage Gap Robs Mothers of What They’re Owed | National Women's Law Center

This article recaps the first-ever mom-centered Congressional hearing on the affordability crisis and outlines the advocacy for child care and health care reform in 2026.