Lawmakers have been working around the clock to provide relief to America’s families, small businesses, and major industries as they struggle with the effects of the COVID-19 crisis. Many Republicans in the House and Senate have called out the needs of the child care industry in particular, which has been hit with widespread layoffs and closures as a result of catastrophic drops in enrollment. 

We are grateful to our many champions and allies on Capitol Hill for their efforts to ensure the hardworking Americans who support the care and education of our nation’s youngest learners received the crucial relief they needed as part of the bipartisan Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act or CARES Act. 


RELATED: FFYF has conducted a thorough analysis of the COVID-19 Congressional relief package to identify the provisions that will provide relief to the child care industry.


The following is just a selection of comments, posts, and other public efforts from some of the many members of the House and Senate who have been speaking out about the need to provide relief to child care providers. 

Senate

Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI)


Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA)

60% of young children in the U.S. spend time in non-parental child care each week, provided by nearly 2 million early…

Posted by U.S. Senator Bob Casey on Tuesday, March 17, 2020

Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA)


Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA)


Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)


Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-VT)

“Working people must have the income, healthy food, safe shelter and child care… that they need right now.”

Press Release

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH)


Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN)


Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)

It was already a huge struggle to find high-quality, affordable child care in Massachusetts and everywhere before the…

Posted by U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren on Tuesday, March 24, 2020

Sen. Todd Young (R-IN)


House of Representatives

Rep. Ralph Abraham (R-LA)


Rep. Cindy Axne (D-IA)

“I know that school closures can put a lot of pressure on Iowa parents, including those who may need to stay home to take care of their children. We need to make sure we are expanding access to child care, getting our parents access to paid family leave, and ensure that access to critical nutrition programs aren’t interrupted.”

Newsletter

Rep. Anthony Brown (D-MD)


Rep. Katherine Clark (D-MA)


Rep. Sharice Davids (D-KS)


Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX)


Washington Delgation: Reps. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA), Derek Kilmer (D-WA), Rick Larsen (D-WA), Dan Newhouse (R-WA), Adam Smith (D-WA), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Suzan DelBene (D-WA), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Kim Schrier (D-WA), and Denny Heck (D-WA)

“Provide the highest possible funding for HUD’s CDBG programs, prioritizing funding for states, cities, and counties most impacted by COVID-19 and include clear guidance allowing these funds to be used to support essential community services – including but not limited to temporary childcare for healthcare workers and first responders, increased capacity at homeless shelters and expanded quarantine facilities to ensure adequate and safe shelter for vulnerable populations.”

Press Release

Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA)


Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD)


Rep. Annie Kuster (D-NH)

As Congress continues to address Coronavirus, we need to prioritize the needs of the most vulnerable. As schools and…

Posted by Congresswoman Annie Kuster on Thursday, March 19, 2020

Rep. Susie Lee (D-NV)


Rep. Bob Menendez (D-NJ),

“Called for the bill to include robust funding to support low-income families struggling with child care and elder care costs, as well as additional support for frontline health care and emergency response workers, and employees in other critical industries. “

Press Release

Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY)

“I urge you to work with Congress to ensure that the Federal COVID-19 response includes funding child care benefits for our health care workforce.”

Press Release

Rep. Panetta (D-CA)

I co-led my House colleagues in calling for over $21 billion in childcare funding in the wake of COVID-19. Our providers…

Posted by Rep. Jimmy Panetta on Sunday, March 22, 2020

Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA)


Rep. John Sarbanes (D-MD)


Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL)


Rep. Suozzi (D-NY)

Coronavirus: Be Prepared Not ScaredSeries of Updates: Prevention – 2 of 10The first and most important priority…

Posted by Rep. Tom Suozzi on Thursday, March 19, 2020

Rep. Van Drew (R-NJ)

“… In the upcoming Coronavirus legislation, I would like to see: … increased funding for childcare.”

Press Release

Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA)