“Our country’s child care system is on the verge of collapse and families are struggling mightily as a result. The status quo – with moms being forced out of the labor force, families unable to make ends meet, young children missing out on crucial early learning opportunities, and care workers leaving the field because of poverty-level wages– is taking a terrible toll on families, businesses, and our economy. That’s why we are so pleased that U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) have developed a new child care plan that will stabilize and strengthen our country’s child care system. America’s moms strongly support their plan.

“It includes badly needed investments in the Child Care and Development Block Grant program, which would lower family costs by quickly getting funds to states and territories that would be used to expand the supply of quality child care facilities and raise wages for the early learning workforce. It would reduce child care deserts, establish a pilot program for states to expand child care assistance to middle-income families, and expand access to high-quality pre-K for 3- and 4-year-olds. This is a plan America needs.

“To date, the U.S. Senate has dropped the proverbial ball, allowing our child care system to buckle, harming families and exacerbating our labor shortage. The time to strengthen our child care system and build a care infrastructure is now. Moms and families need Congress to pass the Murray/Kaine child care plan through reconciliation. It will help put families and our country on the road to a sustainable recovery. Moms will speak out, organize, and press for passage of this plan in every way we can.”