U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández
STATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández released a statement following the White House’s request for $16 billion in emergency child care funding. This comes after Leger Fernández, vice chair of the Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC), joined other DWC members to urge the White House to address the issue.
“I’m grateful the White House listened to our request and included $16 billion to provide childcare for New Mexican families, and families across the country in its supplemental request. Safe, quality and affordable childcare programs are essential to help mothers and caregivers rejoin the workforce.” Rep. Leger Fernández said. “We’ve seen how federal aid makes a difference when it comes to child care. This is how we strengthen our economy and support hard-working families. I urge Speaker Johnson to include this request in the next spending package – it’s the right thing for our families and our economy.”
Background:
The childcare market is broken, and regular American families can’t afford childcare services. After the expiration of federal child care aid from the American Rescue Plan in September, more than three million children are projected to lose access to child care nationwide. In New Mexico, 17,338 children are expected to lose their childcare as a result of the expiration of Child Care Stabilization Grants provided under the American Rescue Plan Act.
July 31, Leger Fernández signed a letter urging President Biden to work with Congress to provide $16 billion to prevent the looming child care funding cliff. When President’s Biden August supplemental funding request did not include mention of child care funding, the Democratic Women’s Caucus requested a meeting with the White House to discuss next steps to avoid the child care funding cliff.
Leger Fernández also led a letter Sept. 22 with the Democratic Women’s Caucus urging Republican Leadership to work with Democrats to address the child care crisis.
Leger Fernández also cosponsored H.R. 5433, the Child Care Stabilization Act, to make sure that families continue to have access to affordable, high-quality child care. Rep. Katherine Clark (D-MA) introduced this vital piece of legislation Sept. 13, 2023.
If enacted, H.R. 5433 would build on the child care investments in the American Rescue Plan with an additional $16 billion in grants per year to help keep our child care centers open and pay early childhood educators a living wage. H.R. 5433 awaits consideration by the House Committee on Appropriations.
