WORLD NEWS | Biden signs executive order to improve child care

WASHINGTON, April 18 (AP) — President Joe Biden signed an executive order Tuesday that contains more than 50 directives to increase access to child care and improve the working lives of caregivers.

But the directives will be funded by existing commitments, likely including laws last year to finance infrastructure projects and build computer chip factories. This could mean that their impact will be limited and more symbolic of what might happen.

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The Democratic president’s ambitions are far greater in 2021, calling for more than $425 billion in funding to expand child care, make it more affordable and raise caregivers’ wages.

“The executive order does not require any new spending,” Biden said in remarks from the White House. “This is about ensuring taxpayers get the best value for the investment they’ve made.”

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Biden also called for more funding for the care economy in his 2024 budget plan, drawing a line with Republicans seeking to curb spending.

Susan Rice, director of the White House Domestic Policy Council, told reporters by phone that the order shows that Biden is not waiting for Congress to act.

“The child care and long-term care system in this country is not working well,” Rice said. “The cost of providing quality care is high. It’s labor intensive. It requires skilled workers. Yet caregivers who are overrepresented as women, women of color, and immigrant women are among the lowest paid in the country.” one.”

The order seeks to improve child care for descendants of federal workers, including military families. It plans to lower costs for families participating in child care and development block grant programs. Veterans will receive better home care. HHS will increase salaries and benefits for Head Start faculty and staff. (Associated Press)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from a Syndicated News feed, the content body may not have been modified or edited by LatestLY staff)