Whip Clark: The Care Economy Is 'The Heart Of Our Agenda'

LEESBURG, VA - Today, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-5) joined Democratic Women's Caucus Chair Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-3), Rep. Debbie Dingell (MI-6), Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (OR-1), and Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA-51) to discuss House Democrats' plan to fix America's broken care economy. Below is a transcript of her remarks:

"We just wrapped up a plenary session on the care economy, and here's the topline: this issue will be a defining one in the 2026 elections. It is going to be carried by candidates who have real solutions.

"As my colleagues know - as anyone of you who are parents or have spoken to a parent in the past year know - that means talking about the care economy. And right now, on the GOP's watch, the cost of care is shredding household budgets. 4 out of 10 families are going into debt to pay for child care. And it gets worse for elder care, where 6 out of 10 families are going into debt.

"And it is women who bear the brunt of this systemic failure. Women make up the lion's share of America's unpaid caregivers. And at the same time, more than 40% of moms serve as the household's primary breadwinner. 70% of moms will be the breadwinner for at least one year of their kid's childhood.

"And while Republicans are worrying about birth rates and why women aren't having more babies, those breadwinners are facing impossible choices. Going into debt? Do you lose ground at work with a paycheck? Or do you quit your career altogether?

"I remember the day my husband and I realized that 100% of my take-home pay was going to child care. But we had the ability to get through those years. So many families do not.

"In Trump's first year back in office, we've seen nearly half a million women leave the workforce altogether. And for many of them, there is a direct tie to leaving the workforce because they simply could not afford care for their families. This is an existential financial problem for working families. And Democrats continue to be the only party that is taking it seriously.

"On Capitol Hill, my colleagues have introduced the Child Care for Working Families Act - legislation that would bring down the cost of child care to $15 a day. And across the country, we see state and local leaders - we were so proud to have them on our panel - creating models for success. While this administration guts funding and dismantles basic programs, Democrats at every level are finding a path forward for working families.

"The care economy will be a core focus throughout this year. It's going to be at the heart of our agenda in the House majority. And thanks to the Democratic women of the House, we are going to deliver concrete change for families who are suffering under this administration."

To view the complete press conference, click HERE. For photos of the hearing, click HERE.

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