U.S. Senator Katie Britt’s Child Care Legislation Builds Momentum in the Senate, Among Americans

‘81% of America believe(s) affordable and available childcare is an issue’

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) spoke on the Senate floor on her Child Care Availability and Affordability Act, legislation that continues to build support in the Senate and across America.

Her remarks come in light of new polling showing overwhelming support from voters for each of the tax credits Senator Britt’s bill would update, and more broadly, strong support for policies and tax incentives that would strengthen our nation’s child care system and support hardworking families.

Senator Britt began by applauding the growing support her bill has received in recent months, saying, “. . . more and more colleagues have joined the Child Care Availability and Affordability Act. As we work to build back America, it just makes sense. I was proud to introduce this legislation with Senator Tim Kaine, and we believe it will help address our nation’s child care crisis. Supporters are both Republicans and Democrats, they’re both parents and grandparents who understand how incredibly difficult it is to find affordable, high-quality, reliable childcare.”

She continued her remarks, saying, “. . . today I want to speak for the millions of moms and dads who don’t just want Congress to do something about this, they need Congress to do something. Recent polls show that 81% of America . . . 81% of America believe(s) affordable and available childcare is an issue that everyone should be concerned with, regardless of whether they have children or not.”

“72% of Republicans say increasing federal funding for child care is an important priority and a good use of taxpayer dollars – 70% of independents and 90% of Democrats agree. Three out of every four Americans believe that the lack of childcare impacts the ability of businesses to function effectively and consistently. The message from voters is absolutely crystal clear,” the Senator stated.

Senator Britt continued, “This issue cuts across different demographics and party lines. It is a struggle that Congress absolutely should address. I believe the solution is my child care legislation, the Childcare Availability and Affordability Act. This plan consists of targeted investments in families and small businesses. It modernizes three existing tax credits to reflect the current economic reality . . .”

According to polling conducted this month, over 85% of Americans are in favor of each of the tax credits Senator Britt’s bill would strengthen: the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC), the Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP), and the Employer-Provided Child Care Tax Credit (45F).

In her remarks, Senator Britt highlighted that these tax credits have not been updated since at least 2001: “Unfortunately, inaction by Congress has contributed to the crisis. The American economy loses $122 billion a year because of the lack of affordable child care . . . Imagine the boost to our economy if we made this targeted investment in workers and in families. Consider a parent who may be a low-income individual, many of whom find the high cost of child care to be the single biggest barrier in reentering the workforce. We could empower those parents to get back to work and move off government assistance.”

The Senator concluded by reiterating her call for her Republican colleagues to join this legislation: “This is exactly the kind of pro-family, pro-Main Street, pro-worker legislation that has the ability to both transform our economy and support families. I am encouraged by the amount of support this legislation continues to build, but we can’t stop now. They are counting on Republicans . . . to be that party of families, party of parents, the party of hardworking Americans, and to actually deliver. I believe the American people are firmly behind us.”

Joining Senators Britt and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) in the Child Care Availability and Affordability Act are Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), John Curtis (R-Utah), Angus King (I-Maine), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Dave McCormick (R-Pa.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), and Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.).

Senator Britt’s full remarks are available here.

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