Torres Small Supports Bipartisan Child Care Relief Legislation during COVID-19

Washington, DC –Tonight, Rep. Xochitl Torres Small (DNM-02) voted to pass two bipartisan bills, the Child Care Is Essential Act and the Child Care for Economic Recovery Act as part of Torres Small’s continued efforts to provide relief for families across New Mexico and support the safe reopening of our economy.

“We’re facing a child care crisis in New Mexico with families continuing to face tough decisions between going back to work and taking care of their kids. As we fight COVID-19 and work to safely reopen our economy, we must build solutions that support parents,” said Torres Small. “That’s why tonight, I voted for legislation that would help parents go back to work and provide a lifeline for child care providers who are trying to stay open.”

Specifically, the Child Care Is Essential Act would create a $50 billion stabilization fund for states through the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) program as an emergency appropriation to help child care providers with costs like payroll, rent, personal protective equipment, mental health supports, and more as they begin to reopen.

The Child Care for Economic Recovery Act would expand dependent care and payroll tax credits to support caregivers and child care providers affected by COVID-19 in addition to providing $10 billion in emergency funding to the CCDBG for child care facility safety and infrastructure projects.

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