A Fight Over Work Requirements Is An Early Hurdle For Democrats' Child Care Plan
The leading proposal to revitalize and expand the nation’s broken child care system, which would spend billions of dollars to make child care free for millions of families and cheaper for millions more, has met its moment.
It has political winds at its back amid the coronavirus pandemic, which has provided the public with a brutal reminder of the issue’s importance. It has the backing of the two leading Democrats with jurisdiction over the topic, widespread support among Senate Democrats and the approval of President Joe Biden.
But the inclusion of work requirements in the legislation ― even ones far less stringent than those typically attached to safety net programs ― has drawn the ire of progressives who fear it could deter some families from reaping the program’s benefits.
Biden’s American Families Plan, unveiled in a prime-time address to Congress on Wednesday night, includes $225 billion toward expanding and improving child care, borrowing heavily from legislation co-written by Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.).
https://www.yahoo.com/huffpost/democrats-child-care-plan-fight-over-work-requirements-090000311.html