Invest in Families and the Economy

Daily Action
Written By Dick Thompson

Childcare, Preschool and Child Tax Credits are Essential Infrastructue

QUICK READ: The Build Back Better Act includes affordable child care, universal preK, a child tax credit, and paid leave -- strengthening our families while boosting our economy. Yet not a single Republican supports these smart investments. We must insist Congress pass this entire package.

TAKE ACTION NOW:

BACKGROUND

Affordable child care and paid leave, universal preschool, and child tax credits are evidence-based strategies to lift families from poverty, build a strong foundation for children’s future, and increase workforce participation for parents -- all of which boosts our economy. 

Every dollar spent on high quality early childhood programs generates around seven dollars in future benefits. We need the Build Back Better Act to include all these crucial investments.

The child care crisis and lack of paid leave hinders parental employment and contributes to our labor shortage. Affordable child care and paid leave help parents work more, earn more, and spend more. 

Fewer than 7 in 10 young children attend preschool. High quality preschool prepares children to enter kindergarten ready to learn, reducing the need for remedial education and increasing their academic success.

Nearly 10 million children in our country lived in poverty in 2019. The child tax credit helps parents buy food, shelter, and clothing and save for family emergencies. It reduces childhood poverty -- quickly. 

We must push to pass this complete package of early childhood policies in the Build Back Better Act. It’s good for kids. It’s good for families. And it’s a smart investment for our country.

ACTION One: Call the Senate.

Script for Oregon Senators

SEN. MERKLEY: Portland office: 503-326-3386 | D.C. office: 202-224-3753

My name is [--] and I'm a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

Investing in early childhood strengthens our economy, improves academic outcomes, and reduces family poverty. I urge you to make sure the Build Back Better Act includes affordable child care, universal preK, child tax credit expansion and paid leave. This is an essential package that puts our country on a strong path for the future.

SEN. WYDEN: Portland office: 503-326-7525 | D.C. office: 202-224-5244

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

Investing in early childhood strengthens our economy, improves academic outcomes, and reduces family poverty. I urge you to make sure the Build Back Better Act includes affordable child care, universal preK, child tax credit expansion and paid leave. This is an essential package that puts our country on a strong path for the future.

Script for Republican Senators

D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].

Every dollar invested in early childhood returns around seven dollars in economic benefits and immediately addresses the labor shortage. I urge you to support the Build Back Better Act, including affordable child care, universal preK, the child tax credit and paid leave. This is an essential package that puts our country on a strong path for the future.

ACTION TWO: Call the House.

Script for Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01)

Oregon office: 503-469-6010 | DC office: 202-225-0855

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

Investing in early childhood strengthens our economy, improves academic outcomes, and reduces family poverty. I urge you to make sure the Build Back Better Act includes affordable child care, universal preK, child tax credit expansion and paid leave. This is an essential package that puts our country on a strong path for the future.

Script for Cliff Bentz (OR-02)

Medford office: 541-776-4646 | DC office: 202-225-6730

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

Every dollar invested in early childhood returns around seven dollars in economic benefits and immediately addresses the labor shortage. I urge you to support the Build Back Better Act, including affordable child care, universal preK, the child tax credit and paid leave. This is an essential package that puts our country on a strong path for the future.

Script for Earl Blumenauer (OR-03)

Oregon office: 503-231-2300 | DC office: 202-225-4811

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

Investing in early childhood strengthens our economy, improves academic outcomes, and reduces family poverty. I urge you to make sure the Build Back Better Act includes affordable child care, universal preK, child tax credit expansion and paid leave. This is an essential package that puts our country on a strong path for the future.

Script for Peter DeFazio (OR-04)

Eugene office: 541-465-6732 | DC office: 202-225-6416

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

Investing in early childhood strengthens our economy, improves academic outcomes, and reduces family poverty. I urge you to make sure the Build Back Better Act includes affordable child care, universal preK, child tax credit expansion and paid leave. This is an essential package that puts our country on a strong path for the future.

Script for Kurt Schrader (OR-05)

Salem office: 503-588-9100 | DC office: 202-225-5711

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

Investing in early childhood strengthens our economy, improves academic outcomes, and reduces family poverty. I urge you to make sure the Build Back Better Act includes affordable child care, universal preK, child tax credit expansion and paid leave. This is an essential package that puts our country on a strong path for the future.

Action 3:

Dick Thompson
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