ICYMI: Reps. McDonald Rivet, Kiggans, Harder Host Bipartisan Build America Caucus Child Care Roundtable

WASHINGTON- Yesterday, the Build America Caucus, led by Representatives Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08), Jen Kiggans (VA-02), and Chair Josh Harder (CA-09), hosted a bipartisan roundtable discussion on child care with leading policy experts and advocates. The conversation focused on the lack of affordable child care, its damage to the economy, and what Congress can do to drive down costs for families and unlock America's full economic potential.

Beyond the impact on children, child care affordability continues to be a crisis for the nation's workforce. The U.S. Chamber of Commerceestimates states lose over $1 billion per year in economic activity due to a lack of affordable and accessible child care. Absences and employee turnover, which often stem from a lack of child care, cost employers between $400 million and $3 billion a year.

"Child care in America is ridiculously expensive. Working parents spend as much as 30% of their income on it, if they can get access at all. The system is broken," said Congresswoman McDonald Rivet. "We brought Republicans and Democrats together to work on solutions to one simple goal: making it easier and cheaper to provide quality care, so every family can raise their kids without breaking the bank. I am excited by our progress and look forward to getting solutions across the finish line."

"Child care costs are out of control. As a dad to two young daughters, I know how hard it is to find safe, quality child care that is actually affordable," said Build America Caucus Chair Josh Harder. "Fixing this crisis should be a no-brainer, we need to aggressively increase the number of child care centers, and the Build America Caucus is committed to cutting the red tape to make that a reality."

Panelists at the roundtable included Curran McSwigan, Deputy Director of Third Way's Economic Program; Sarah Rittling, Executive Director of the First Five Years Fund; Tara Dawson McGuinness, Founder and Executive Director of New Practice Lab; and Latisha Howze, Executive Director of Higher Horizons in Falls Church, Virginia.

Congresswoman McDonald Rivet has spent her career fighting to expand access to child care and early childhood education, including as Executive Director of Michigan Head Start and Chief of Staff of the Michigan Department of Education. Recently, the Congresswoman introduced the bipartisan Early Education Savings Program Act, which would expand 529 savings programs to cover child care expenses. She is also a member of the bipartisan Congressional Pre-K and Child Care Caucus.