CHILD CARE
Remember When We Cut Child Poverty?
Apparently, it is no longer a priority for the country
America lifted 3 million children out of poverty during 2021 by increasing the child tax credit and sending it as monthly payouts. Parents spent it on child care, rent, utilities, food and school expenses, according to the Census.
Unfortunately, it was temporary support. Lawmakers worried too much aid could lead to parents refusing to work. So, aid programs ended and the child-poverty rate more than doubled in 2022, the Census reported.
Even federal child-care assistance ends Sept. 30, with 3.2 million children expected to lose access to care. According to a Century Foundation report, 70,000 programs could close with more than 200,000 workers losing jobs.
It’s shortsighted to cut child-care funds, which enables more parents to join the workforce and provides early education to the future workforce. Lawmakers, worried about how struggling families spend extra money, ignore the already-proven benefits aid programs bring the entire country.
