The package that they call the Reconciliation Bill is an investment of $3.5 trillion over 10 years – all paid for through tax policy changes on corporations and very wealthy individuals. The House of Representatives approved a package in September but some Senators are now wanting the package to be smaller – even though they approved moving these investments in August.
Together we’ve been telling Members of Congress they need to do three things:
- They need to go big.
- They need to go big for child care.
- They need to get the details right for family child care to thrive.
But in wanting to make the whole “Build Back Better” package smaller, what would they do? Here’s what some Members of Congress have been saying:
- What if we just picked one: paid family/medical leave OR the child tax credit OR the child care investment?
- What if we did preK investments and not child care investments?
- What if we left things the same as they are now with the current child care law?
Based on what we hear from family child care providers every day, none of these scenarios are good for the family child care field and the families counting on you.
This week
The President wants the negotiation around settling on the size of the reconciliation package to wrap up this week, which would mean settling on what’s in and what’s out and what’s changing in details.
We’re seeing in the news that community college access investments will not be in the final package. Members of Congress and the Administration are debating paid family child medical leave, and the future of the Child Tax Credit. They’re also debating how to pay for the investments.
As negotiations continue this week, we are hearing that child care and preK investments are IN, but what does that mean exactly? What is the level of investment and what activities would be moving forward to really build back better, and how does that include family child care?
Seeing family child care and hearing what you want
Everything you are doing now as advocates is about making sure child care isn’t minimized – and that family child care is seen and what you want is made clear.
Here are some examples:
150 organizations call on Congress to support family child care – check out what you asked for!
Family child care providers sharing their stories – tell us all more about what you want!
Family child care showing the world that it is time to invest – let’s make sure they see you and who this is about!
After everything you all have been through and done, and everything Members of Congress said was amazing about you, this is the time for them to show you they understand. Together we can #SolveChildCare.
