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| Wilson Votes to Secure $2 Billion for Child Care |
February 13, 2003 |
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Funding Will Help Working Parents Get Access to Affordable, Quality Care for their Children
Washington, DC - In a statement on the House Floor, Congresswoman Heather Wilson discussed the importance of approving $2 billion in additional child care funding. This provision was approved as part of the overall Personal Responsibility, Work and Family Promotion Act. The additional funding will allow day care centers to have trained providers, and pay them at close to or above market rates, giving children a stable, nurturing setting so that those who are growing up in poverty have a fair start at the starting gate of life. The bill passed the House by a vote of 230 to 192.
“Working parents need access to affordable, quality care,” said Wilson. “Parents want to be able to become self-sufficient by going to work while having the peace of mind that their children are getting the care they deserve. At the same time, it is critical that children have the opportunity to start out on the right foot. This funding will give many children a chance to succeed.”
Each day an estimated 13 million children, including 6 million infants and toddlers, spend some part of their day being cared for someone other than their parents. The quality of early care and education has tremendous benefits. It leads to increased cognitive abilities, increased likelihood of long-term school success, and greater likelihood of long-term economic and social self-sufficiency. This funding will give more children the opportunity for quality care and early learning experiences.
Since the welfare reform act in 1996, the number of welfare recipients has significantly decreased. The number of children on welfare has decreased by half, which means that there will be more money for each child in day care.
Wilson worked with a coalition of women in the House of Representatives to add the funding to the bill.
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