FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 21, 2023
Contact: Daniela Perez, [email protected]
The Biden-Harris Administration’s Proposed FY 24 Budget Prioritizes Families, Women of Color, and a Future with Care
WASHINGTON – Today, the Biden-Harris Administration released the Fiscal Year (FY) 24 budget plan. The budget reaffirms the administration’s commitment to transforming the country’s care infrastructure. The plan features significant investments in the care economy to address the ongoing care crisis that disproportionately affects Black women and women of color and is also the most reliable voter bloc in the nation.
Below is a statement by Hillary Holley, Executive Director of Care in Action.
“This country is facing the consequences of a deepening care crisis. This crisis disproportionately impacts Black women and women of color, working families, aging adults, and people with disabilities. We have continued to fight for what we deserve and demand our leaders take action. Today is proof our voices are being heard – the Biden-Harris Administration is listening. Today’s unveiling of the FY 2024 budget proposal demonstrates how we deploy the first steps toward a future where care is a priority and where care work—both paid and unpaid—can no longer be ignored. The proposed budget features a $150 billion investment in home and community-based services and necessary funding to our care economy to deliver paid family and medical leave, accessible child care, and raised wages for care workers. These investments will reduce the strain on Black women and women of color, who represent most care workers and caregivers, and who continue to be the most reliable voter bloc despite these economic strains. With this proposed budget, our country’s families can lead a future where they don’t have to choose between a paycheck or providing care for their loved ones – a future where care workers receive better pay and the dignity and respect they deserve. Now it’s time for Congress to deliver this future for our families, workers, communities, and Black women and women of color, who shoulder the burden of the care crisis. We will continue our commitment to holding Congress accountable and seeing this budget proposal become a reality for this nation; otherwise, we will make sure voters decide. Many families across the country cannot access child care due to the increasing prices and are facing historic caregiver turnover. The country’s leaders cannot further ignore the rising cost of care. If Congress does not act, voters are ready to take these concerns to the ballot box in 2024. And so are we.”
Care in Action is the policy and advocacy home for women who care, working on behalf of more than two million domestic workers and care workers across America. Among the fastest-growing sectors in our economy, domestic workers are also among the most vulnerable and undervalued. As a mostly women and majority women of color workforce, this growing constituency consistently and overwhelmingly supports progressive values in American political life. Learn more at www.careinaction.us.