In August, nearly 70,000 employees missed work due to childcare challenges – matching the all-time high set during the pandemic.
As a dad with six young kids, I understand how critical it is for parents to have access to reliable childcare. While some families are lucky enough to have a family member look after a child, for many families this isn’t the case. With limited daycare availability, many parents are being forced to make impossible choices, struggling to balance their careers and their families. The current crisis is not just an inconvenience—it’s a major barrier to workforce participation and long-term financial stability for countless families.
That’s why I cosponsored the bipartisan Childcare Workforce and Facilities Act to address the shortage of affordable, quality childcare by investing in new grants to train and retain childcare professionals, while also supporting the construction and renovation of childcare centers to ensure more families have access to reliable care.
Bottom Line: Addressing the childcare shortage is good for parents, children, and our community as a whole.