Senators Urge Investment in the Care Economy as Part of Build Back Better

U.S. Senators signed on to a letter urging Leader Schumer, Chairman Sanders, Chairman Wyden, and Chair Murray to urge a significant and meaningful investment in the care economy as part of the Build Back Better reconciliation infrastructure package.

The letter highlights a strong care infrastructure comprised of home and community-based services, universal paid family and medical leave, and childcare and early learning. As identified in the letter, investment in a care infrastructure program, invests in women, caregivers and families simultaneous with a physical infrastructure for industries where 90 percent of jobs are occupied by men.

With respect to home and community-based services, the letter highlights robust investment to:

• Commit to expand services
• Cut year-long waiting time for hundreds of thousands of Americans
• Ensure that care workers are paid a living wage and have the benefits they deserve
• Provide for high-quality services over a long enough period of time to ensure States choose to carry out these vital programs.

The letter was signed by Senators Duckworth, Gillibrand, Casey, Brown, Warren, Hassan, Warnock, Hollen, Kaine, Smith, Blumenthal, Durbin, Hirono, Klobuchar, and Booker.