Fighting for child care funding

Dear Friend,

I’m back in Washington, D.C. after a great few weeks in San Diego and wanted to send a quick update on what I’ve been up to – from fighting to extend emergency funding for child care to speaking at the Hispanas Organized for Political Equality’s (HOPE) Leadership Institute graduation.

Keep reading for more September highlights:

Extending Emergency Child Care Funding for Families

Affordable child care isn’t a luxury – it’s a necessity. That’s why I helped introduce the Child Care Stabilization Act to ensure emergency child care funding remains available and families can access the care they need.

If Republicans allow federal funding to expire on September 30, more than 70,000 early childhood programs could close across the country, and millions of families could lose access to vital child care. Our legislation would extend federal funding for families, help providers keep their doors open, and improve the financial security of the child care sector.

Protecting LGBTQ+ Rights for Service Members and Their Families

Our military should be open and welcoming to all people willing and qualified to serve. That honor shouldn’t be limited to those of a specific gender, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, or political affiliation, especially when we’re facing a military recruitment and retention crisis.

That’s why I joined the National Center for Transgender Equality to discuss the importance of allowing service members and their families to access reproductive and gender-affirming care. This care is essential for them to live with dignity and to complete their mission. While some of my Republican colleagues attempt to strip military families of this vital health care, I’m fighting to defend their human rights and their health care.

Celebrating the Achievements of HOPE Leadership Institute Graduates

I was excited to speak at the HOPE Leadership Institute’s Class of 2023 graduation last week and kick off Hispanic Heritage Month with so many accomplished Latinas.

As a young woman and one of the youngest Members of Congress, I know how it feels to be underestimated and overlooked. That’s why it’s so important to encourage young women – like HOPE graduates – to enter careers in public service and help us build a government that reflects our diversity and a country that’s more just and equitable.

Did you catch me on MSNBC?

This weekend, I joined Alicia Menendez on MSNBC’s “American Voices” to discuss the Child Care Stabilization Act – a new bill that I’m co-leading to prevent the child care funding crisis. I hear from parents all the time in San Diego about how hard it is to find and afford child care, so it was great to talk about what I’m doing in Congress to address this problem and help families get the care that meets their needs.

I will push for every opportunity to get this bill over the finish line, and I won’t stop fighting until we ensure that every family can access high-quality, affordable child care.