Rep. Stansbury Advocating for Universal Childcare at Democratic Women’s Caucus
U.S. Representative Melanie Stansbury (NM-01), attended the Democratic Women’s Caucus Hearing this afternoon and reestablished her commitment to universal childcare both for the nation and for New Mexicans.
“And I grew up in a low income family, I just single mom. And you know, there were times where we were housing insecure. And I think for any family that actually knows the reality of housing insecurity, and what that looks like having to stay with friends on occasion, sleeping somewhere you wish you hadn't, who experience food insecurity and have to depend on food stamps, and those other programs, and myself going to, you know, public health clinics growing up not having health insurance. These are very personal issues for me,” Rep. Stansbury said.
Furthermore, she discussed the role of the American Rescue Plan Act funding and how it has positively impacted families in New Mexico. “The Child Tax Credit and the Stabilization Grants, which provided emergency assistance to both families and child care providers. According to polling, in the state of New Mexico, 92% of child care providers said that the stabilization grants provided through the American Rescue Plan helped them keep their doors open. And in my district, 117,000 children received payments between July and December 2021, totaling over $30 million per month.”
Rep. Stansbury’s full remarks as prepared are below.
Thank you to our Caucus Chairwoman Frankel, to Rep. Bonamici and Rep Tlaib for hosting this important hearing today, and to the rest of my colleagues in the Democratic Women’s Caucus for your continued work on these issues.
This hearing on supporting children and families is especially timely for New Mexicans, as just last week, New Mexico ranked 50th in wellbeing for children.
It is also timely as our colleagues across the aisle are working hard to yank universal meals out of the hands of hungry kids across the country. There is no other words to describe it other than pure evil.
Growing up in a working-class family gave me a profound appreciation for just how important access to affordable childcare is. The availability of consistent, affordable, and reliable childcare is critical to ensuring working families don’t have to live in poverty. That’s why I unequivocally support universal child care.
The COVID-19 pandemic put an unprecedented strain on our already stretched childcare system in New Mexico, forcing parents – primarily mothers – out of the workforce. It is important to note that this disproportionately impacts women of color, specifically Latinas, and their families.
This is why the American Rescue Plan, that the Democrats passed in 2021, was such a critical lifeline for our child care economy and working families. Specifically, the Child Tax Credit and the Stabilization Grants, which provided emergency assistance to both families and child care providers.
According to polling, in the state of New Mexico, 92% of child care providers said that the stabilization grants provided through the American Rescue Plan helped them keep their doors open. And in my district, 117,000 children received payments between July and December 2021, totaling over $30 million per month.
Access to early education is also critical to child well-being and a strong indicator of positive life outcomes. I’m proud to have passed a piece of legislation that gives New Mexico the authority to sustainably invest in early childhood education.
This bill was signed into law by the President and will change the trajectory of our State for the better.
VIDEO LINK: The video can be found here.
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