WASHINGTON, D.C. – A newly released study from Casey Mulligan, a University of Chicago professor and former chief economist at the White House Council for Economic Affairs during the Trump administration, found that Biden’s Build Back Better bill could actually build back worse — and could lead middle-class Americans to pay as much as 122 percent more for child care. In practical terms, this translates to a family with an infant and a 4-year old paying as much as $27,000 more in annual childcare costs.
Carrie Lukas, president of Independent Women’s Forum, released the following statement:
“The federal childcare and preschool proposal would be a disaster for American families. This latest report shows that the raft of new regulations would make it harder, not easier, for families to afford child care, leaving people with tens of thousands of dollars of higher bills.
“The shocking price tag for families and for taxpayers isn’t even the worst aspect of the proposal. Families should be just as alarmed at the idea that the federal government would be setting the rules and effectively deciding who can teach at American childcare centers and what can be taught. This will mean less true choice and variety. Faith-based providers will be squeezed out and government regulators, not parents, will be calling the shots. Americans should resoundingly reject this ill-conceived plan.
“There is an easy way to fix this and a better approach if the goal is really to ease the burden on parents of young children: give resources to parents — all parents — so that they can make the decisions that make the most sense for their families, including whether to use daycare or not.”
Independent Women’s Forum has been a leading voice in encouraging the government not to adopt a one-size-fits all paid leave program. More information can be found HERE, and our stop government takeover of preschool and day care petition can be found HERE.
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Independent Women’s Forum is dedicated to developing and advancing policies that aren’t just well intended, but actually enhance people’s freedom, choices, and opportunities.