Third Way Statement on the Reintroduction of the Child Care for Working Families Act

WASHINGTON — Third Way today released the following statement from Gabe Horwitz, Senior Vice President of Third Way’s Economic Program:

"Lack of child care is now the #3 most reported reason for not working, barely eclipsed by pandemic-related layoffs and furloughs due to reduced business. That is why we are thrilled to see continued leadership by House and Senate Democrats to take bold steps to fix child care in America. The Child Care for Working Families Act, introduced today by Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03), and their colleagues, is a comprehensive effort to help families afford exorbitant child care by capping costs while delivering higher compensation for the low-wage workers, often women of color, who work in this industry. The bill advocates both for working parents by promising higher-quality child care services and for child care workers by mandating wage parity with elementary school teachers across the country.

"The necessity of this bill cannot be overstated. Child care, especially after the pandemic, is in crisis. We recently found that 35 states are seeing an increase in parents dropping out of the labor force due to lack of child care—a 36% increase since late April, to the tune of 1.2 million workers. The child care industry deserved special attention before the pandemic and certainly needs it now. The Child Care for Working Families Act is a huge step in the right direction and can help us right the ship in 2021."