“Chairman Richard Neal’s Building an Economy for Families Act is smart, responsive policy that meets the moment for America’s families. The country’s moms applaud the Neal plan’s comprehensive paid family and medical leave program, its measures to expand families’ access to quality, affordable child care provided by people who are paid a family-supporting wage, and the fact that it would make permanent the tax credits that have so much promise to help low-income families with children escape poverty.

“After a year during which the pandemic has thrown millions of families into financial crisis, with families of color experiencing compounded harms due to structural racism, this plan will support the kind of care infrastructure America needs and the just, equitable recovery we deserve. Moms applaud its 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave for all workers at about two-thirds of their regular wages, with higher wage replacement for low-income workers.”

-Statement of Ruth Martin, Senior Vice President and Chief Workplace Justice Officer, MomsRising

“We applaud the Child Care Information Network it would create, the additional targeted funding for child care facilities, and the measures Chairman Neal’s plan contains to raise the wages of child care providers, who are disproportionately women of color. And we applaud the fact that it would make permanent the tax credit expansions in the American Rescue Plan, including the Child Tax Credit, the Child and Dependent Care Credit, and the Earned Income Tax Credit.

“The Building an Economy for Families Act that Chairman Neal released yesterday demonstrates once again that he understands the needs and priorities of working families. It is inclusive, bold, and responsive. Moms will do all we can to convince Congress to make it law.”

-Statement of Nina Perez, National Director, Early Learning, MomsRising