Democracy Rules

For most American families living in the modern world, child care is a necessity. More than 75% of all single mothers, and 66% of all mothers with infants under age 6, are now employed. Child care expenses for these families often exceed $8,000/year. Nearly 5 million American preschoolers currently spend most of their waking day in childcare centers. These children come from diverse homes and bring with them a wide range of needs. Half of America’s children live in single parent families, one third of our children are poor, and one child in twelve struggles with a disability. Although quality childcare is often difficult to find, experts say it is vital to the well-being of our nation's kids. Unfortunately, the shortage of quality child care prevents many children from receiving this much-needed necessity. Federally-funded Head start programs are able to enroll only about 42% of children who are eligible. Advocates say we need more quality childcare centers staffed with better-trained and better-paid childcare providers.

Pending Legislation: S.268 - Child Care Workforce and Facilities Act of 2023
Sponsor: Sen. Amy Klobuchar (MN)
Status: Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions
Chair: Sen. Bernard Sanders (VT)

I oppose reforming current child care policy and wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Leader Charles Schumer (NY).
I support providing states and tribal entities with grants to increase access to licensed child care services. These grants may be used to develop and expand the child care workforce or child care facilities in locations with insufficient available child care. Specifically, grants cover 50% of the cost of programs to support the education and training of caregivers or projects to build, expand, or renovate child care facilities in these areas, and wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Sen. Bernard Sanders (VT) and/or to an advocate group currently working with this issue.

Winning Option »» I support providing states and tribal entities with grants to increase access to licensed child care services. These grants may be used to develop and expand the child care workforce or child care facilities in locations with insufficient available child care. Specifically, grants cover 50% of the cost of programs to support the education and training of caregivers or projects to build, expand, or renovate child care facilities in these areas, and wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Sen. Bernard Sanders (VT) and/or to an advocate group currently working with this issue.