The Care Economy is the Heart of American Communities

Floor Speech

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Ms. JACOBS of California. Mr. Speaker, even before COVID-19 hit, the care economy was at the heart of our communities.

Care workers keep our kids safe, our families healthy, and our businesses open.

Last week, I met with a group of childcare providers in San Diego, extraordinary women who do this work because they have a passion for helping kids. They love their jobs and they love the kids they care for, but that doesn't mean they should have to accept low wages and job insecurity.

When the pandemic hit, thousands of childcare centers across the country closed, including more than 500 in San Diego County, leading to devastating job loss in an industry that is 95 percent women.

The American Rescue Plan included $39 billion in grants to help parents afford childcare, and funding to help providers stay open and pay workers.

Now we need to go further.

The American Families Plan will create universal pre-K, make childcare affordable to all, and pay care workers a living wage.

Mr. Speaker, let's make sure that we care for the amazing workers who care for our future.

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