FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 8, 2022
Contact: Daniela Perez, dperez@domesticworkers.org ; ndwa@ellecomm.com
WASHINGTON – Tonight, President Joe Biden delivered his second State of the Union address, where he reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to the country’s working families by investing in families and investing in care. In tonight’s address, President Biden urged Congress and the nation to prioritize working families and provide paid family and medical leave; affordable child care; restore the Child Tax Credit; and expand home care services. Below is a statement from the National Domestic Workers Alliance.
“President Biden’s second State of the Union address renewed the administration’s commitment to investing in our families and our ability to care for one another. Like other infrastructure, child care, aging and disability care, and paid leave are essential to our economic and social well-being as a nation. All of us will need care at one point in our lives. It’s exciting to have a president who understands the need for action and is urging unity to deliver a future where every person can thrive,” said Ai-jen Poo, President, and Jenn Stowe, Executive Director of the National Domestic Workers Alliance. “We urge our leaders to address our nation’s need for a robust federal paid family and medical leave program, a strong childcare system, investment in aging and disability care, and good jobs for all domestic and care workers.
According to the newly launched National Database of Childcare Prices, the rising cost of childcare is out of reach for many families in this country, and our loved ones are experiencing a caregiver turnover crisis. Our strained care resources highlight the urgency of increasing investments in care to support working families, strengthen jobs and our economy, and make our country even more resilient in the face of continued uncertainty and rising costs. These investments have bipartisan support because caring for your loved ones isn’t partisan, and we remind Congress of that. We thank President Biden for his support in making care a national issue. Now is the time to create bold federal investments in our Care infrastructure; we look forward to working alongside the President and with Congressional leaders to make this a reality to build an equitable future that works for everyone.”
Jenn Stowe is available for interviews upon request.
