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BPC Statement on the American Families Act

Washington, DC – The Bipartisan Policy Center applauds President Joe Biden for his continued efforts to promote policies that address inequality and the long-standing barriers people face seeking stable and gainful employment. We call on Congress and the administration to move forward on bipartisan legislation to address these critical challenges and deficiencies.

The nation is long overdue for forward-looking legislative and policy actions focused on the “care economy” and the challenges many people experience providing care for their children, spouse, or aging parents. These difficulties are more pronounced for women and minorities.

The COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare and exacerbated the fragile condition of our care economy and placed a spotlight on both the financial and personal hardships many people endure caring for family members.

BPC recognizes these conditions have been building for decades as the workplace, demographics, and family structures have evolved. Changes to reflect the 21st century workplace will not happen overnight. Solutions require a combination of durable, sustainable revenue and substantial changes in federal policy to ensure resources are efficiently and effectively directed toward those in greatest need. The only way to achieve these essential public policy reforms is for the executive and legislative branches to work together, embracing ideas from both sides of the aisle to create lasting, durable policy solutions through the regular legislative process.

We look forward to working with the administration and Congress on developing impactful solutions that empower families struggling with care issues, reinforce the social safety net, and are done in a fiscally responsible manner.

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