Washington, D.C., August 8, 2022 – Following Senate passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, a budget reconciliation package providing substantial support to combat climate change and improve economic conditions for millions of Americans, early childhood advocates made clear that moving forwards, Congress’s first priority must be to finally lift up infants and toddlers nationwide. ZERO TO THREE, the country’s leading early childhood development nonprofit dedicated to ensuring all babies and toddlers have a strong start in life, made clear that families, early childhood professionals, and advocates alike will continue to hold members of Congress accountable moving forward to ensure that young children at last receive the support they so desperately need.
Miriam Calderón, chief policy officer at ZERO TO THREE, stated:
“The Inflation Reduction Act will bring critically needed relief to combat many of the issues facing American families, like affordable health coverage and action on climate change, that will help to ensure babies have a healthy, safer tomorrow.
“At the same time, we share in the disappointment of millions of families and caregivers that have for the past eighteen months been told that their issues are a priority, only to see them left out of this bill. We know that investing in babies is smart policy, pro-family, and will grow the economy. Both sides of the aisle need to come together to pass legislation reenacting the expanded and enhanced Child Tax Credit, establishing comprehensive federal paid family and medical leave, and funding affordable high-quality child care. No more waiting and no more stalling. It’s time to put our babies first.”
In the lead-up to the Senate’s deliberation and debate over the Inflation Reduction Act, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Patty Murray (D-WA) took to the Senate floor highlighting the importance of meaningful investments in child care, with a pledge of support to continue working on the issue until it passes into law. ZERO TO THREE and other advocates welcomed these remarks, and further pledged to hold elected officials to this pledge in the months to come.
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About ZERO TO THREE
ZERO TO THREE works to ensure all babies and toddlers benefit from the family and community connections critical to their well-being and development. Since 1977, the organization has advanced the proven power of nurturing relationships by transforming the science of early childhood into helpful resources, practical tools, and responsive policies for millions of parents, professionals and policymakers.
