WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Congresswoman Susie Lee (D-NV-03) hosted a roundtable with representatives of several Nevada child care organizations to discuss the need for child care support during the coronavirus pandemic.
“Even before the pandemic began, child care was an issue that needed more attention, innovation, and solutions at the federal level and in our own state,” said Senator Rosen. “Unfortunately, the coronavirus has only made it more difficult for child care providers, and working families are paying the price. In order for parents to safely get back to work, they must know that their children are safe. Providing caregivers the support they need will stabilize the child care industry and play a role in economic recovery.”
“We’ve seen how this pandemic has wreaked havoc on working families in recent months,” said Congresswoman Lee. “Especially as the school year is beginning, working parents will need access to affordable, quality child care to make ends meet. Since the pandemic began, we’ve seen child care providers close or reduce their capacity often by over 50%, which is hurting their businesses and our families. That’s why Senator Rosen and I introduced the Small Business Child Care investment Act to give providers access to relief during COVID-19. But ultimately, we need to hear from child care providers and parents on the ground about what they’re experiencing. That’s why discussions like today’s are so important. Thank you to Senator Rosen for being a leader with me on this issue, and we’ll continue fighting for affordable, quality child care for Nevada families.”
BACKGROUND: Last year, Senator Rosen and Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) introduced the Small Business Child Care Investment Act, (S. 2549), bipartisan legislation that would make non-profit child care providers eligible to participate in all loan programs available through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). This bipartisan legislation recently passed the Senate as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021.
Rosen is a co-sponsor of the Coronavirus Child Care and Education Relief Act (CCCERA), a bill that would provide $430 billion in funding to address the national childcare and education crises and provide relief to students, families, schools, and educators across the country during the coronavirus pandemic.
Rosen is also a co-sponsor of the Child Care for Working Families Act, legislation that would promote affordable, high-quality early learning and child care for working families.
Representatives Susie Lee and Pete Stauber (R-MN-08) introduced the companion legislation in the House of Representatives to the bipartisan Small Business Child Care Investment Act, which would grant non-profit child care providers access to the same types of Small Business Administration (SBA) loans available to for-profit businesses.
Rep. Lee is a co-sponsor of the Childcare for Economic Recovery Act, which provides ongoing federal investments and tax subsidies for working families, employers, and states, including making the child and dependent care tax credit (CDCTC) refundable. This bill was included as part of the Heroes Act, the COVID-19 relief package passed by the House of Representatives over three months ago.”
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