Rep. Reed Leads Introduction of Bipartisan Legislation to Provide Local Child Care Providers with Vital Aid

Press Release

Today, Representative Tom Reed (NY-23) led the introduction of the "Back to Work Child Care Grants Act of 2020," which will ensure child care providers across the country receive the federal support they need to continue servicing the working families of America.

U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), along with Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN), recently led the introduction of the legislation in the Senate. The proposal was included in the Senate's HEALS package earlier today.

Representatives Jeff Van Drew (NJ-02), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Jim Hagedorn (MN-01), Fred Keller (PA-12), David McKinley (WV-01), Carol Miller (WV-03), Elise Stefanik (NY-21), Steve Stivers (OH-15), Ann Wagner (MO-02), and Jackie Walorski (IN-02) have joined the legislation as co-sponsors.

"We care about our nation's children because they are the future of this great country. As this health and economic crisis continues to disrupt daily life, child care providers have been acutely hurt by the pandemic," said Representative Reed. "It is only fair we act to ensure providers have the resources they need so working parents can continue to access the local child care services their families deserve. This bipartisan legislation will support children's early educational development and help our economy get back on track."

"As I've heard from many members of the North Jersey community throughout this crisis, affordable child care is vital to our economy and vital to the working families who are helping keep New Jersey's Fifth District afloat. We must make sure our child care providers have the support they need as they continue to care for kids throughout my district. That's why I'm so proud to be working across the aisle to help introduce this bipartisan legislation, to ensure our child care industry can survive, that our children can continue to receive critical educational development, and that working parents get the support they need through these difficult times," said Representative Gottheimer.

"Iowa families depend on the survival of our existing child care providers. In my conversations with our moms and dads and providers across the state, I've heard consistently--even before COVID-19--about the struggle to find quality, affordable child care, and I've worked to fix that," said Senator Ernst. "Unfortunately, this pandemic has only made our child care crisis worse. In addition to the support we helped secure in the CARES Act, this new proposal will help relieve anxiety for families by ensuring our kids are in safe environments and stabilizing the child care sector as a whole."

A one-pager summarizing the bill can be found HERE.

"Without question, the survival of the child care industry will be central to the success of America's overall economic recovery from this crisis," said First Five Years Fund (FFYF) Executive Director Sarah Rittling. "The pandemic has exacerbated an already difficult situation for families and providers, and surfaced the truly essential role that child care plays in this country. Dedicated efforts by Congress are necessary to ensuring child care providers of all sizes are not forced to close their doors, but instead have the means necessary to provide a safe and healthy learning environment for their staff and the children in their care. We thank Congressman Reed and the cosponsors of this legislation and we are grateful for their leadership in introducing this legislation and recognizing the needs of families and providers. We are hopeful that Congressional leaders will include a child care stabilization fund in the upcoming COVID-19 relief package, as any meaningful efforts to aid America's economic recovery will be immediately undermined if the child care industry is allowed to collapse."

"Child care programs are in dire need of financial assistance if they are to open and remain open, care for children safely, and provide their crucial services to working parents in the months ahead. We applaud Rep. Reed for his ongoing leadership in this area by introducing the Back to Work Child Care Grants Act, which would deliver critical assistance for the child care market and promote our nation's economic recovery," said Michele Stockwell, Executive Director, Bipartisan Policy Center Action.

"We cannot rebuild our economy without investments in something as critical as child care. This is a bipartisan issue and I believe that we have to all come together to support children and families. In doing so, we support our economic infrastructure and the future of our state. If we aren't making decisions based on what is best for our youngest citizens, then we are doing a disservice to our entire population. Thank you to Rep. Reed for taking this opportunity to do the right thing for our current workforce and for our state's youngest citizens," said Beth Starks, Founder and Executive Director of the Chautauqua Lake Child Care Center.

The Back to Work Child Care Grants Act of 2020 supports economic recovery and helps parents go back to work by providing:

Critical resources to help child care providers reopen and stay open

Provides 9-month financial assistance for providers to open, welcome children safely, and ensure a robust child care sector is available for families

Allows states to design state-specific plans to support child care centers, operators, providers in their state

Sends funds to child care providers more quickly without administrative red tape

Safe environments for children

Requires all providers receiving assistance to follow all state and local health and safety guidelines

Requires states to ensure a diverse field of child care setting options for parents, including center-based, family child care, and faith-based options

Over the last two months, Rep. Reed has conducted a comprehensive tour of childcare providers across Western New York and shined a light on the growing crisis facing this critical industry.

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