***WATCH: Murray rallies with leading advocates to make clear: Care Can’t Wait***
Senator Murray continues fight to deliver on child care, paid leave, home care, and other critical priorities for families—and our entire economy
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, joined care workers, caregivers, leading advocates, and other Members of Congress to underscore the need to invest in our care infrastructure—because tackling the child care crisis, getting paid leave done, and investing in home care are not just critical issues for families, they are urgent economic priorities that demand action from Congress.
At the rally organized by the Care Can’t Wait coalition, Senator Murray made clear we have to deliver on the care agenda for families across our country—and she will keep using every tool at her disposal to make progress.
“When we invest in home care workers or child care workers, we are investing in our economy and a better quality of life for families and workers alike. Parents get it. CEOs get it. Now, we’ve got to make sure everyone in Congress gets it!” said Senator Murray. “So we are going to keep pushing day in, day out in every room and at every table to deliver on the care policies our families and our economy need. And you better believe this mom, grandma, and former preschool teacher is going to keep using every single tool in the toolbox to fight for progress each and every day.”
Senator Murray has been a leader in Congress to deliver for families and invest in our care infrastructure—including by tackling the child care crisis, delivering on paid leave, investing in home- and community-based services, and more.
A former preschool teacher herself, Senator Murray is leading the fight in Congress to build a child care system that works for working families. Last year, she secured a 30% increase in funding for the Child Care and Development Block Grant, the main source of federal child care support—which will help serve approximately 130,000 more kids nationwide. Senator Murray is continuing her fight to make progress on child care as the new Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee just as she pushes for the bold change families are counting on to solve the crisis. She has introduced her Child Care for Working Families Act (CCWFA) every Congress since 2017 and plans to reintroduce the legislation soon. In 2021, the legislation became the basis for President Biden’s child care plan and a top priority for the Biden administration. Senator Murray’s bill would ensure working families pay no more than 7% of their income—and in many cases, even less or nothing at all—toward child care.
Senator Murray has long fought to ensure no worker has to choose between taking care of themselves and their loved ones—and their own economic security. She championed passage of the Family and Medical Leave Act in 1993, and she has helped lead the fight to establish a national paid leave program for all in the years since. She has also fought to expand access to home- and community-based services for older adults, people with disabilities, and injured workers—while improving benefits for caregivers providing essential care. Last month, she joined Senator Casey in reintroducing the Better Care Better Jobs Act to invest in this care nationwide and address the caregiving crisis.
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