Bonamici Leads 20 Members of Congress in Calling for Affordable Child Care

WASHINGTON, DC [07/16/2020] – Today Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) led 20 members in introducing a House resolution that calls for affordable, high-quality child care for all who need it.

In the resolution, Bonamici and her colleagues state that the House must pass legislation to stabilize the child care system and provide child care assistance to all families who need it – up to full coverage for those with the greatest need. They also called for child care workers to earn a living wage.

"Child care is essential to the well-being of families and our economy, but too many working families are faced with stress and few – if any – options regarding care for their children because child care is too expensive or unavailable,"said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici."This burden falls disproportionately on families of color and women, exacerbating existing inequities. Stabilizing our child care system and making it more affordable must be a priority, and I am glad so many of my colleagues are joining me in this fight for working families."

The full text of the resolution is available here. It was co-sponsored by Representatives Rosa DeLauro, Katherine Clark, Jahana Hayes, Adam Smith, Earl Blumenauer, Jim Cooper, Yvette D. Clarke, Nydia Velazquez, Thomas Suozzi, Bennie G. Thomspon, Peter DeFazio, Denny Heck, John B. Larson, Alan Lowenthal, David Trone, Tony Cardenas, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Alma Adams, Mark Takano, and C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger.

Bonamici has long advocated for increased investments in the child care system, especially in the wake of COVID-19. She recently released an in-depth report on the state of child care in Oregon and across the nation,"Child Care in Crisis: Solutions to Support Working Families, Children, and Educators."The report was informed by conversations with Oregon child care providers, early childhood educators, parents, and other advocates. It contains many of their stories and outlines a legislative path forward.

On Friday, July 17 at 10 a.m. PDT, the Congresswoman is hosting a roundtable discussion about the importance of child care and the threats it currently faces because of COVID-19. She will be joined by the Center for American Progress and other experts and advocates from Oregon and across the country. Those who are interested in participating canRSVP here.

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