As congressional lawmakers consider additional COVID-19 relief legislation, U.S. Reps. Tom Emmer (R-MN) and Rodney Davis (R-IL) led 39 other lawmakers in urging that more funds be directed to the nation’s childcare providers.
“It is critically important that childcare providers receive timely and targeted assistance during this challenging period to help stabilize the industry,” the members wrote in a July 14 letter sent to U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA). “In the wake of widespread closures, additional federal relief will ensure that child care providers are able to survive this crisis in order to remain viable and available to serve children and families that depend on them.”
Rep. Emmer, Rep. Davis and their colleagues wrote that access to affordable and quality child care was difficult to access even prior to COVID-19, particularly in rural areas. The congressmen noted that the pandemic has further jeopardized “an already precarious industry” and threatens to eliminate what few options are available to parents.
“Minnesota families rely on childcare providers to be able to go to their jobs. As our economy begins to rebound and Americans return to work, childcare providers will be more critical to working families than ever,” Rep. Emmer said.
With an increased need for personal protective equipment and less children attending school, Rep. Emmer added that childcare providers have struggled to stay open. “These providers offer an essential service and are vital to our economic recovery,” he said. “I urge all my colleagues to ensure they are supported during this time.”
In his home state, Rep. Davis said Illinoisans also need access to affordable childcare to return to work.
“The unfortunate reality is that state and local government mandates geared towards mitigating the spread of COVID-19 have decimated childcare providers,” Rep. Davis said. “That’s why we need to do everything we can to make sure childcare providers can stay afloat, otherwise our economy will be permanently held back and families can’t return to work.”
Among the members who joined Reps. Davis and Emmer in signing the letter were U.S. Reps. Mike Turner (R-OH), Buddy Carter (R-GA), Pete Stauber (R-MN), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Michael McCaul (R-TX), Steve Stivers (R-OH), John Katko (R-NY), Susan Brooks (R-IN), Ron Estes (R-KS), Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Dave Joyce (R-OH), Troy Balderson (R-OH), Paul Cook (R-CA), Tom Reed (R-NY), Brad Wenstrup (R-OH), Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA), Vern Buchanan (R-FL), Darin LaHood (R-IL), Fred Upton (R-MI), and Will Hurd (R-TX).