McClellan Joins Whip Clark to Invest in Child Care, Call Out GOP on Inaction

Washington, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) joined Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-05) and four other House Democrats to reintroduce the Child Care Infrastructure Act and the Child Care Workforce Development Act, two bills that address America’s child care crisis with robust investment in early learning facilities and educators. Alongside Congresswoman McClellan, these bills are also co-led by Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Brittany Pettersen (CO-07), and Jill Tokuda (HI-02).

“As one of the 6 percent of members of Congress who is a mother to young children, I know firsthand the challenges working families face when seeking quality, affordable child care,” said Congresswoman McClellan. “House Democrats are fighting every day to address the child care crisis and give hardworking American families some relief from exorbitant costs. I’m grateful for Democratic Whip Katherine Clark’s leadership on this pressing issue, as we introduce the Child Care Infrastructure Act and the Child Care Workforce Development Act. These bills will bolster federal investment in our nation’s child care industry and incentivize care workers and early childhood educators to continue their invaluable work.” 

"Democrats are focused on one of the most urgent challenges facing everyday families: the outrageous cost of child care," said Whip Clark. "This pair of bills will build out child care facilities across the country while recruiting talented Americans to pursue careers in early education. This investment would mark a critical step forward in House Democrats' fight to lower costs for parents, create opportunities for our children, and build an economy that works for working families. While Republicans ignore the child care crisis, we are ready with solutions."

“Child care is infrastructure and an important investment for children, families, and the economy,” said Congresswoman Bonamici. “The ongoing hurdles child care providers and families face are limiting economic growth, threatening employers and small businesses, and holding back working families. I’m grateful to partner with Whip Clark to introduce legislation that will provide funding to improve and build facilities to help meet the demand for affordable, accessible child care.”

"As a father and the founder of the Dads Caucus, I know firsthand how difficult it can be to find affordable child care, and I know that the working parents of this nation face the same concern. Many families today are living in child care deserts, where there aren't enough quality, affordable daycares nearby—my colleagues and I are fighting to change that,” said Congressman Gomez. “I’m proud to join Whip Clark on these two bills that will make becoming an early childhood educator more attainable for students, expand our child care provider workforce and fund building new daycares as key infrastructure investments. Working families should rest assured that their children are being looked after in quality facilities with qualified educators who are supported.”

“As a working mom of a four-year-old son with another child on the way, I know firsthand how difficult it is to find affordable child care and the struggles families in my district are facing, especially in more rural communities,” said Congresswoman Pettersen. “That’s why I’m proud to help reintroduce these two pieces of legislation to bolster our child care workforce, help lower costs for parents, and ensure every family can access the care they need for their children to thrive. I’m incredibly grateful for the leadership of Whip Clark and my colleagues who joined today.” 

“The rising cost of child care has made it difficult for millions of parents to balance earning a living with caring for their families. Nonetheless, my Republican colleagues refused to join us in supporting working parents and allowed vital federal child care stabilization funding to expire last year. Our working families deserve better. Without additional action by Congress, the unaffordability and unavailability of child care in the U.S. will only worsen,” said Congresswoman Tokuda. “As a mother of two boys that has to make tough choices, I’m proud to join our Democratic Whip, Congresswoman Katherine Clark, in introducing the Child Care Infrastructure Act and the Child Care Workforce Development Act. Together, these bills will provide for greater investment in the programs and the people we entrust to take care of our kids so they can continue serving children and families across the country.”

The Child Care Infrastructure Act would:

• Direct the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to conduct a national needs assessment of early child care and learning facilities to understand the impact of the child care crisis and evaluate the ongoing infrastructure needs of child care facilities across the U.S. 
• Establish a grant program to award grants to states for the purpose of constructing new or renovating existing child care facilities.
• Set aside a minimum of 10% and a maximum of 15% of the authorized funds to award grants of up to $10 million to intermediary organizations, including development financial institutions or other organizations that have demonstrated experience in developing or financing early care and learning facilities.
• Authorize $10 billion over five years to invest in our nation’s child care infrastructure.

The Child Care Workforce Development Act would: 

• Authorize HHS to administer a student loan repayment program of up to $6,000 annually for five years for early childhood educators working for providers eligible to receive Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) funding. 
• Establish a program to provide up to $4,000 annually to eligible individuals pursuing an associate’s degree or a certificate in early childhood education. 

Congresswoman McClellan has championed child care during her time in Congress. Last year, McClellan and Rep. Nancy Mace (SC-01)introduced H.R. 5581, the bipartisan Child Care Assistance for Maternal Health Act, to increase short-term child care access for mothers and their families during the pregnancy, birth, and postpartum period. McClellan and Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA)convened a roundtable discussion with parents and child care providers to discuss the child care crisis in America following a tour of Kidz with Goals Unlimited, a child care and early education center in Hopewell. Earlier this year, McClellan and Whip Clark toured Sprout School at Second Presbyterian in Richmond and convened a roundtable discussion at YWCA Richmond with child care providers, advocates, and community leaders to discuss federal funding for child care resources. Congresswoman McClellan is a member of the Black Maternal Health Caucus, the Mamas Caucus, and the Bipartisan Congressional Pre-K and Child Care Caucus.

Photos of the press conference can be found HERE. The full press conference can be viewed HERE.