[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 194 (Thursday, November 4, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H6185-H6186]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        BUILD BACK BETTER AGENDA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
North Carolina (Ms. Ross) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. ROSS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss the urgent need to 
pass the Build Back Better agenda, a transformational package that will 
help individuals and working families across North Carolina.
  This bold legislation will bring down the high costs that have held 
families back for decades by making childcare, home care, education, 
healthcare, and housing more affordable. This is a package for the 
people--all the people--and it spans generations, providing support to 
infants, students, working adults, and older Americans.
  Right now, the average annual cost for a child in North Carolina to 
attend a childcare center is nearly $9,000. The average North Carolina 
family with two young children spends more than 20 percent of their 
annual income on childcare. That is unacceptable. For kids to thrive 
and for parents to excel in the workplace, we need quality, affordable 
childcare.
  I have a constituent from Cary, North Carolina, named Katy, she works 
at a nonprofit and has a 1-year-old child. She told me this:

       Becoming a mom has opened my eyes to how broken our 
     Nation's childcare system is.
       We felt lucky to find a spot for my child at a high-quality 
     childcare program, but the cost was shocking. We pay more 
     than $800 a month for my son's care.
       At the same time, the director and teachers at my son's 
     program likely don't make a living wage.
       They're doing one of the most important jobs in the world, 
     helping raise the next generation. Why aren't they 
     compensated fairly?
       Childcare providers shouldn't have to work second jobs on 
     the weekends to feed their families, but many do.
       At the same time, parents can't shoulder the burden.
       In fact, the extremely high cost of childcare is a major 
     factor for my family as we decide to have a second child.

  Katy's story is so common. If we claim to value our children and our 
families, we need to stop turning a blind eye to the exploding costs of 
childcare. We can do better.
  That is why the Build Back Better Act will provide universal pre-K 
for all 3- and 4-year-olds and limit childcare costs for working 
families to no more than 7 percent of their income.
  Mr. Speaker, we also need to do more for our seniors and their loved 
ones. Every American should be able to look forward to a comfortable, 
secure retirement. Our seniors should not have to worry about 
financially burdening their children and their grandchildren.
  In my family, my father-in-law wanted to stay in the home he loved, 
and he did until he was 98 years old. We found

[[Page H6186]]

it very difficult to find him home care. I continue to hear stories 
from seniors in my district who have had to give up their homes simply 
to stay in a nursing home.
  Again, we can do better. That is why the Build Back Better Act will 
provide a historic investment in home care in order to help the more 
than 800,000 people on State Medicaid waiting lists.
  Mr. Speaker, when we pass this bill, more of our people will stop 
struggling to make ends meet and start experiencing true financial 
security.
  When we pass this bill, more of our children and our seniors will 
receive the care they deserve. And, most importantly, when we pass this 
bill we will be one giant step closer to an America where everyone has 
the chance to pursue the American Dream and the means to support their 
families.

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