Dallas City Wire

WASHINGTON – Representative Jasmine Crockett issued the following statement applauding an executive order issued last week by the Biden administration to expand access to child and home care and invest in the care workforce. The order directs federal agencies to consider requiring contractors to expand child care for their employees, and pushes all federal agencies to pursue opportunities to expand employee access to child care and expands home-based care access for veterans. It also sets a payment floor to raise care worker wages, issues regulations to improve the quality of care jobs, and leverages Medicaid funding to ensure nursing homes can meet minimum staffing standards to promote worker safety.

"A thriving, equitable American economy isn't possible without investing in childcare, nursing care, and home care—and with this executive order from President Biden, we're finally taking steps to get it done," said Rep. Crockett. "Childcare shortages in North Texas and across the U.S. are slowing our economic recovery from the COVID crisis and pushing women, who still perform the majority of household childcare, out of the workforce. The need for nursing and home care for our seniors, veterans, and disabled adults exceeds far beyond our available workers. By improving pay for care workers and pushing federal agencies to expand childcare for employees, we can incentivize growth in this critical field and move one step closer to universal childcare. If our country really wants to support our seniors, veterans, children, and working parents, it's time to put our money where our mouth is.

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Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett represents portions of Dallas and Tarrant Counties, with the cities of Dallas, Grand Prairie, DeSoto, Cedar Hill, Lancaster, Duncanville, Glenn Heights, Hutchins, Wilmer, Arlington, Ovilla, and Seagoville.

 

Original source can be found here.