FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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Suzanne Arnold, [email protected], (609) 610-4957
Senators Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Kelly Loeffler (R-GA) introduce Senate resolution calling for increased funding to Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCBDG) program in wake of COVID-19
Washington, DC (May 22, 2020) – Save the Children Action Network (SCAN) applauds Senators Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Kelly Loeffler (R-GA) for introducing a Senate resolution that calls for $25 billion in child care relief funding. The senators correctly note that $25 billion is necessary to cover losses to the child care industry, which has greatly suffered due to extended closures brought on by COVID-19. Without these needed funds, thousands of child care providers face permanent closure and the American economy will not be able to restart.
“We are grateful for the leadership and foresight of Senators Ernst and Loeffler in so strongly championing the child care industry in the midst of this national crisis. We are at a critical juncture where decisions like these will make tremendous impact on not only the future of our children, but also our economic recovery,” said Roy Chrobocinski, SCAN Director of Federal Government Relations. “I am proud of how SCAN and its 350,000 grassroots advocates have tirelessly rallied in support of the child care industry, urging policymakers to place this issue at the forefront of the debate. Their advocacy efforts have played a significant role in the progress we see today. It is my hope that other policymakers will follow Senators Ernst and Loeffler in supporting their vision for a brighter future, where America remerges stronger than ever before.”
This investment is not only what the child care industry needs, but also what voters across party lines support. A recent SCAN national poll found that 87% of voters support direct federal assistance for child care providers during the crisis so they can meet payroll and pay rent and utilities. Voters across the country understand the urgent need for the child care industry to receive priority funding in coronavirus relief efforts. Without a strong child care industry, the American economy cannot recover.
Citing the work of SCAN’s network of activists in Iowa, Chrobocinski offered particular praise for Senator Ernst. “Senator Ernst should be commended for stepping up and supporting the child care industry,” Chrobocinski said. “Senator Ernst deserves credit for listening to the voices of her constituents and I couldn’t be prouder of the work our Iowa activists did in making this resolution a reality.”
On Tuesday May 19, five SCAN advocates representing four communities throughout Iowa virtually met with Senator Ernst, sharing how COVID-19 has affected their situations – particularly with regard to child care. They discussed how the coronavirus has exacerbated the existing child care crisis in Iowa – which has lost 40% of its child care workforce within the last five years – encouraging Senator Ernst to act to help save the child care industry and explicitly asking her to support a $25 billion relief package so that Iowa and the rest of the nation can recover from this crisis by allowing millions of parents back to work, knowing their children are in safe and nurturing care.
SCAN and its 350,000 grassroots advocates nationwide will continue to mobilize and will now urge policymakers to ensure this $25 billion is a component of the next piece of COVID-19 recovery legislation that Congress passes.
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Save the Children Action Network was created in 2014 as the political advocacy arm of Save the Children, to be the political voice for kids. We work to ensure that the issues critical to children’s lives and futures are given top priority by our elected leaders, building bipartisan support to make sure every child has a strong start in life. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.