Bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus Endorses Legislation to Improve Child Care Access for Working Parents

Today, the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus announced its endorsement of the Child Care Investment Act of 2023, legislation that will strengthen our country’s current and future workforce by bolstering access to affordable, quality child care. 

The bipartisan legislation was introduced by Representatives Salud Carbajal (CA-24) and Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05) and has 25 additional cosponsors, 14 of whom are Members of the Problem Solvers Caucus. 

With the average annual cost of child care in the United States exceeding $14,000, many Americans cite a lack of access to affordable, quality care as a barrier to reentering the workforce after the birth of a child. The Child Care Investment Act aims to support families and businesses by boosting existing child care tax incentives: the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit, the Employer-Provided Child Care Credit, and the Dependent Care Assistance Program. The legislation would offset the cost of care and strengthen our workforce by helping employers provide child care for their employees and increasing the amount of pre-tax income parents can set aside for child care expenses.

“Child care is not just a family issue. It is an economic issue,” said Congressman Salud Carbajal (CA-24). “I’m proud to earn the support of Problem Solvers Caucus as we continue to see there is growing support for updating our tax code to ensure every Central Coast family can get access to quality, affordable child care.”

“The soaring cost of child care has left it out of reach for too many families, which forces parents to make difficult financial and career decisions,” Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05) said. “The Child Care Investment Act is not only an investment in hardworking families, but it’s also an investment in the future success and growth of our communities. I’m glad that my Problem Solvers Caucus colleagues see the value in this critical legislation and will continue working with Congressman Carbajal to build a strong coalition of support.”

“We need to be focused on making life more affordable. Last year, Jersey was ranked the second most expensive state in the country for child care and parents are being forced to cut work hours or leave the workforce altogether to care for their children. That’s unacceptable,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05). “I’m glad that the members of the Problem Solvers Caucus came together to endorse the bipartisan Child Care Investment Act to help hardworking families afford child care expenses.”

“Child care is far too expensive for many families across the country,” said Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01). “The cost has become an impediment for parents who want to return to work after the birth of their child. As Co-Chair of both the Problem Solvers Caucus and the Congressional Pre-K and Child Care Caucus, I’m proud we’re endorsing this bipartisan legislation to help expand child care tax incentives and lower this burdensome expense for employers and parents. This will improve the lives of countless families across our country.”

“We’ve got to work together to make sure every single American parent can access the high-quality and affordable child care that fits their family’s needs. I’m proud to cosponsor this legislation and pleased to see so many of my Problem Solvers colleagues – from both sides of the aisle – endorse it. This is how we work together to build a better America for all our families,” said Congresswoman Angie Craig (MN-02).   

"To grow our economy, maintain a robust workforce, and improve the welfare of our children, it is essential to support initiatives that prioritize child care,” said Congressman Don Davis (NC-01). “With the support of small businesses and child care providers alike, we are bringing communities one step closer to enhancing our children's well-being and economic prosperity."

“The rising cost of child care poses a serious risk to both young families’ finances as well as the overall health of the economy due to lost earnings, and it is incumbent upon legislators from both parties to seek solutions to this pressing issue,” said Congressman Anthony D’Esposito (NY-04).  “I am proud to support the Child Care Investment Act – legislation that empowers the business community to open more in-house child care centers to serve the families of their employees through targeted tax credits, as well as innovative child-centered spending accounts for workers.”

“When parents can fully participate in our economy - America wins. One of the biggest barriers to making that happen is affordable, accessible child care,” said Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06). “I know because I, in part, left active duty in the Air Force due to the high costs and lack of child care options on and near my base. I'm proud to support the bipartisan Child Care Investment Act, which improves upon vital tax credits that address one of the biggest challenges of raising a family in Pennsylvania and across the country.”

“Finding affordable quality child care is becoming harder and harder. We must make it more accessible to working families and provide support to help businesses offer more options. I am proud to support the Child Care Investment Act and have the Problem Solvers Caucus endorse this beneficial bill. This legislation is a great investment in businesses to help their employees with essential child care services and provide more affordable options,” said Congressman Marc Molinaro (NY-19).

“We need to make it easier to raise a family in Alaska, and prospective parents see the cost of child care as a serious reason to hesitate. Alaskan parents deserve to be able to work if they want to,” said Congresswoman Mary Sattler Peltola (AK-AL). “This bill will help Alaskan businesses retain workers by providing child care, meaning more parents are working and more children are being taken care of. This is a win for Alaskan working families, Alaskan small businesses, and the overall economy.” 

The full text of the bill can be found here.

The Problem Solvers Caucus, which is Co-Chaired by Congressmen Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) and Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), has sixty-four Members evenly split between Republicans and Democrats.