If you're wondering what Congress is doing to #SaveChildCare and confused by this very convoluted process, read below for the current state of play and what we need to do about it. THREAD

Today, Senate Republicans released the #HEALSAct with $15B for child care. $5B is for the Child Care and Development Block Grant & would be available to states in the same way as CARES Act funding.

An additional $10 billion would be available as part of a new child care stabilization fund specifically designed to rescue the child care industry during the pandemic.

Aside: There are two problematic provisions in the Senate stabilization language. The first requires states to revisit their health and safety protections. This is definitely NOT the time to be rolling back standards on health and safety. That language needs to come out.

The 2nd would require providers to return funds if they cannot stay open for at least 1 yr. We know that child care providers have been pushed to the brink. We should not punish child care providers forced to close their doors. No one wants to close. This also needs to come out.

Dems in the House and Senate proposed $50B for a child care stabilization fund in the #ChildCareIsEssential Act. Rs & Ds mostly agree on what the stabilization fund should look like, but the $50B level is aligned with what advocates & experts estimate the industry will need.

The House will pass the #ChildCareIsEssential Act on Wednesday, which signals that they understand the $7B in the HEROES Act was not enough. In the 2 mo since that bill passed, the situation has become even more dire (and that McConnell is unwilling to pass more legislation).

The next step is for the House & Senate to agree on a final package that both chambers can pass by early/mid August. They will need to negotiate priorities for this bill & final funding levels for each program, including child care.

So what do we do now? Call. Call early and often. Call House Members, Senators, Rs, Ds, Is. Say child care MUST be a priority in the coronavirus relief package. Tell them child care cannot wait any longer, and we need a $50 billion rescue package NOW. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Hc_af7Iz4xD9wlYRDyzLGdMJNQ7fzheXVBNZ8YaOeJ8/edit#heading=h.e8zsqj6un045

If your Member of Congress tells you they have voted for or co-sponsored #ChildCareIsEssential, say thank you but it MUST be in the final coronavirus package.

If they push back, @llhogan7 has you covered. https://twitter.com/llhogan7/status/1286048302161682434

Parents are tired. Child care providers are exhausted. It's completely unfair that other industries got funds MONTHS ago while child care providers await help. But the next two weeks are critical. Keep calling to #SaveChildCare. We can do this