Child care is a basic necessity for working families; it can make or break a family budget. The average annual cost of child care in Oregon is up to $13,700 per toddler – an enormous burden, especially for single parents and families with multiple children.

Here in Oregon, 15 percent of parents of young children had to quit, change, or refuse a job because they couldn't access reliable, affordable child care. And nationally, when millions of parents want to work, but can't, the U.S. economy as a whole loses as much as $122 billion dollars annually.

I joined several of my colleagues to introduce the Apprentice-Related Child Care (ARCC) Act so workers entering the trades and working on Registered Apprenticeships or Pre-Apprenticeships can afford child care for their young children while they learn their craft and prepare for a good-paying union career.

Congress provided some additional child care support during the height of COVID, but that funding expired in September. Now providers struggle to pay workers, hire enough workers to meet the demand, and still keep costs affordable enough to keep their doors open to serve families in need. I've also led House and Senate Democrats in their call to renew this child care funding to keep businesses open and affordable.

Let me be clear – this funding is emergency assistance that is desperately needed to prevent another disaster in the child care industry. Well-funded child care is a crucial investment in our future and Oregonians have told me firsthand how vital this is to their families. I'll keep fighting for a long-term solution that provides certainty for children, families, and businesses.

Thanks for standing with me,

Suzanne