Congressman Horsford Votes to Advance Universal Paid Leave, Child Care, and Retirement Proposals in President Biden’s Build Back Better Budget | Congressman Steven Horsford
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Congressman Horsford Votes to Advance Universal Paid Leave, Child Care, and Retirement Proposals in President Biden’s Build Back Better Budget

September 9, 2021

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Steven Horsford (D-NV-04) joined his colleagues on the House Ways and Means Committee to advance proposals that would lower child care costs, strengthen retirement security, and guarantee paid family and medical leave for all workers.

"Today, I was deeply proud to vote for long-overdue investments in the American people," said Congressman Steven Horsford. "The proposals passed out of the House Ways and Means Committee tonight will be transformative for Americans at all stages of life — providing high-quality, affordable child care, guaranteeing paid leave, and ensuring security in retirement. There is more work ahead, but today's votes bring us one step closer to Building Back Better for all families."

During Committee debate, Congressman Horsford spoke out in strong support of extending universal paid family and medical leave to all workers. In his remarks, he highlighted the story of Tameka Henry, a family caregiver in Nevada's Fourth District who lost her job and nearly $200,000 in wages after taking unpaid leave to care for her husband.

A video of Congressman Horsford's remarks on paid leave can be viewed here.

As the Committee debated child care issues, Congressman Horsford called attention to Nevada's child care affordability crisis, citing a report from the Center for American Progress that labeled Nevada a "child care desert." According to the data, 72 percent of Nevadans live in areas without enough child care facilities for the families that need them.

A video of Congressman Horsford's remarks on child care can be viewed here.

The proposals passed today by the House Ways and Means Committee will:

  • Provide up to 12 weeks of universal paid family and medical leave for all U.S. workers
  • Invest in child care access and equity by:
    • Ensuring that parents and caregivers have the most useful and up-to-date information on available child care options and helping them easily apply for slots;
    • Funding the construction and remodeling of child care facilities to make them even safer and more aligned with public health guidelines; and
    • Raising the wages of child care workers, who currently earn a median wage of $12.24 per hour and often live in poverty.
  • Strengthen retirement security by:
    • Requiring employers without employer-sponsored retirement plans to automatically enroll their employees in IRAs or 401(k)-type plans; and
    • Making the Saver's Credit refundable so that those without any income tax liability are eligible to receive the benefit in the form of a contribution to their retirement account.

Media Contact
Geneva Kropper | geneva.kropper@mail.house.gov | 202-849-0251