Veterans' Access to Child Care Act

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Ms. MOORE. Mr. Chairman, I will be brief. The lack of childcare is a serious barrier to workforce participation. But the lack of childcare is also a significant barrier to obtaining good healthcare, which is why I am so grateful that we are taking this step today to make it less so for our Nation's veterans who are in dire need of critical services at their VA.

My amendment is simple, Mr. Chairman. First, it requires the VA to report on the use of this new benefit broken down by region. We need to have hard data about usage to gauge the effectiveness of this program.

Secondly, it requires a biannual report from VA on other childcare barriers besides the financial assistance we are providing today that may be hindering veterans' access to care.

Now, while this bill may get us down the road on improving care, there may be other barriers to childcare that remain: the lack of transportation, as an example; availability; or access to providers. While this bill is progress, we can't rest until all of the barriers to quality and affordable childcare for veterans seeking services has been addressed.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Ms. MOORE. Mr. Chair, how much time do I have remaining?

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Ms. MOORE. Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Takano), the distinguished chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Ms. MOORE. Mr. Chair, I do want to thank the chairman for his support, and I want to thank Members of the minority for their support. This is so very important.

I look forward to working with the chairman in this Congress to continue to ensure that the Veterans Administration has the capacity and the resources to do right by our veterans, to respect the rights of its union employees, to provide the needed services, and as you mentioned earlier, to make sure that they get critical healthcare.

Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source