[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 76 (Tuesday, May 20, 2014)]
[House]
[Page H4482]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              THE INFANT AND TODDLER CARE IMPROVEMENT ACT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Massachusetts (Ms. Clark) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. CLARK of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, today, as a country, we face 
many economic challenges: income disparity, stagnant wages, and an 
alarming rise of children living in poverty. Luckily, all available 
research points to a solution. High-quality early childhood education 
and care is as close to a silver bullet as we are going to find. It 
supports working families, creates economic opportunities for women, 
and provides a great start for our youngest learners.
  But today, hardworking families spend an extraordinary percentage of 
their income on child care. Even then, they are not always sure it 
meets the needs of their kids. Mr. Speaker, that is why I am 
introducing a bill today to help ensure quality care for infants and 
toddlers. As a mother of three, I understand that parents want nothing 
more than to make sure their kids are healthy, safe, and thriving.
  More than 6 million children under the age of 3 will spend time in 
child care this week. At this tender age, when brain development is at 
its peak, when neuropathways are being formed every second by the 
millions, that is when quality child care matters most.
  Today I encourage my colleagues to help these children and their 
families succeed by supporting the Infant and Toddler Care Improvement 
Act.

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