Team,

I wanted to take a minute to wish you and yours a happy Mother's Day and to reflect on how important my own mother, Dawn, has been in my life. Her love and support have meant the world to my sister Alyssa and me.

I could never have done this without my mother's support. I've always had somebody to cheer me on during debates, advocate for me on the campaign trail, and even make thousands of homemade buttons for our supporters.

Today is a day to celebrate and appreciate the mothers who have helped shape us into the people we are today.

But team, the pandemic safety nets that were set up to protect mothers and support women within and outside of the workplace with childcare and paid leave programs are disappearing – leaving many women facing childcare and employment hurdles. 58% of working mothers have considered quitting their jobs due to the stress and financial burdens of trying to find dependable child care in recent months.

It's up to us to pass legislation that would provide these crucial support programs – not just during the pandemic – which is why I was proud to join my colleagues in passing the Paycheck Fairness Act to end the gender pay gap and strengthen workplace protections and the American Rescue plan to expand the child tax credit. This provided relief to New Hampshire families and is estimated to reduce our child poverty rate by 39%.

Just because life is beginning to return to normal for many folks doesn't mean that support programs for working moms aren't still crucial. They were needed before COVID-19 hit, and they will continue to be essential for women in the workforce long after it ends.

We can and will do more to celebrate and support mothers and their families – not just on Mother's Day – but every day of the year.

Happy Mother's Day from my family to yours,

Chris