[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 105 (Wednesday, June 16, 2021)]
[House]
[Page H2873]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         THE CARE ECONOMY IS THE HEART OF AMERICAN COMMUNITIES

  (Ms. JACOBS of California asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute.)
  Ms. JACOBS of California. Mr. Speaker, even before COVID-19 hit, the 
care economy was at the heart of our communities.
  Care workers keep our kids safe, our families healthy, and our 
businesses open.
  Last week, I met with a group of childcare providers in San Diego, 
extraordinary women who do this work because they have a passion for 
helping kids. They love their jobs and they love the kids they care 
for, but that doesn't mean they should have to accept low wages and job 
insecurity.
  When the pandemic hit, thousands of childcare centers across the 
country closed, including more than 500 in San Diego County, leading to 
devastating job loss in an industry that is 95 percent women.
  The American Rescue Plan included $39 billion in grants to help 
parents afford childcare, and funding to help providers stay open and 
pay workers.
  Now we need to go further.
  The American Families Plan will create universal pre-K, make 
childcare affordable to all, and pay care workers a living wage.
  Mr. Speaker, let's make sure that we care for the amazing workers who 
care for our future.

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