Dear John,

Even though it’s probably daytime when you’re reading this, I wrote this email at night—because that’s when I can actually work right now, after my kids are asleep.

I’m just like millions of working parents in this country who rely on the essential work of amazing child care providers in order to do my job. And also like those other parents, I’m worried about when I’ll have access to child care again.

Right now, we’re hearing that the funding our child care system needs will be left out of the next COVID-19 relief legislation YET AGAIN. And I’m furious.

In what universe do our leaders think people can go back to work without child care? How do they expect the country to ever reopen? Are we supposed to leave our kids home by themselves? Or do members of Congress just think that parents (likely moms) should quit their jobs and lose their incomes? And what are the women who are child care workers supposed to do without jobs or money? I TRULY don’t get it.

And clearly, neither do they. Which is why we need to make sure our representatives hear from us before they finalize the next COVID-19 legislation, which could be any day.

Women are at the center of this crisis now—they are 93% of child care workers, losing income or their jobs entirely or serving as a key part of our public health infrastructure. Women are the providers trying to make ends meet as small business owners without revenue coming in; and mothers are serving on the front lines of this crisis in low-paid jobs and taking on the bulk of the burden of caregiving at home.

Recent analysis from NWLC and other partners shows that at least $9.6 billion each month is needed just to keep our system afloat. But so far, Congress has only allocated $3.5 billion in total to the entire child care sector.

If you’re as angry as I am, please click here to be connected directly to your representative’s office.

If Congress doesn’t act, we may not have a child care system to return to—and women , especially women of color, will suffer the most as a result. Without child care, women will be the ones who have to take on caregiving and are unable to return to work or school. Hundreds of thousands of women- and minority-owned businesses will close their doors. And women who are child care workers will lose their jobs and income.

Join us in calling for Congress to include at least $50 billion in funding dedicated to child care in the next COVID-19 legislative package.

Your phone call to your representative will take just a minute, but it could help save the work and industry that makes our entire country run. Please call now.

In solidarity (especially with my fellow working parents!),
Melissa Boteach (she/her/hers)
Vice President for Income Security and Child Care
National Women's Law Center