Dear John,
Time is running out. The Child and Dependent Care Credit (CDCC) has already expired, and we're on the brink of a child care crisis. Just days ago, the "child care cliff" became a harsh reality as pandemic emergency relief funds expired.1 Thousands of child care centers, a lifeline for families, are at risk of closing their doors, and millions of children could lose their spots.
The impact is devastating. Without access to quality child care, parents—disproportionately mothers—may be forced to step back from work, hurting their careers and family finances. We can't afford to let this happen. It's time for Congress to act!
Sign the petition to demand immediate action to secure child care funding and support working parents.
The American Rescue Plan Act provided a lifeline to the child care industry, stabilizing businesses and helping parents afford quality care.2 But now, as many as 70,000 child care centers face closure, risking the coverage of 3.2 million children and potentially costing parents $9 billion in lost earnings. This isn't just a child care issue; it's an economic crisis.
Take action and demand Congress pass the Child Care Stabilization Act—$16 billion in annual funding to save our child care system. This crisis affects us all, and together, we can make our voices heard.
This critical funding has been a lifeline for countless families, enabling them to access quality child care while allowing parents to maintain their jobs and provide for their households. However, the expiration of this funding poses a severe threat to our child care system. Without Congressional action, parents will be forced into impossible situations as they struggle to balance work and caring for their children. It's a crisis we cannot afford to ignore.
For many parents, making ends meet each month is already a tremendous challenge. The end of crucial pandemic relief has resulted in a cascade of difficulties, including rising grocery and gas prices, the resumption of student loan payments, and unexpected Medicaid disenrollments. Losing access to affordable and reliable child care would add an unbearable burden to the list.
Together, we can make a difference and ensure that no child loses access to quality child care.
Sign the petition now to protect our children's future, support working parents, and strengthen our communities. Congress, the time to act is now.
Sign Now
Our child care system isn't just about providing a safe space for our children; it's a cornerstone of our society, vital for family well-being and economic stability. We need to ensure that child care remains accessible, affordable, and of the highest quality for the well-being of our children and the strength of our families. Our children's futures are on the line.
Click here to add your name to this petition, and then pass it along to your friends.
Thanks for all you do.
–MoveOn
Sources:
1. "'Child care cliff' is days away as fed funding expires. Millions could lose child care, experts say," CBS News, September 28, 2023
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/child-care-cliff-federal-funding-arpa-expiration-impact/
2. Ibid.
PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.
