Robust Investments in Child Care Facilities Required to Support Parents, Expand Economic Growth

Washington, DC – The following is a statement from Linda Smith, director of the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Early Childhood Initiative, on President Joe Biden’s American Jobs Plan:

“The Bipartisan Policy Center Early Childhood Initiative is pleased that President Biden’s American Jobs Plan includes an emphasis on upgrading child care facilities and expanding child care supply in high need areas.

“With ongoing evidence that our nation’s child care facilities suffer from health and safety hazards—an issue that pre-dated the COVID-19 pandemic—it is more important than ever to invest in their upkeep to guarantee the safe growth and development of our nation’s children. Further, it is imperative that we improve the supply of child care.

“As BPC has demonstrated in its child care gaps assessment of supply and potential demand for care across 25 states, on average, 31% of families may lack access to child care in their community. Investing in efforts to remedy these gaps will be a monumental step to support working parents, safeguard parent choices, and expand our economic growth as a country.

“During the 116th Congress, there was bipartisan support for child care facilities with the House passage of H.R. 7327, and we urge President Biden to work in a bipartisan manner with Congress to pass into law a robust investment in child care facilities.”

Linda Smith is available for interview.