National Council of Jewish Women
2055 L Street, NW, Suite 650
Washington, DC 20036

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 28, 2021

Media Contact: Sarah Garfinkel, West End Strategy Team
sgarfinkel@westendstrategy.com; 202-765-4290

National Council of Jewish Women Welcomes Bold Vision for an Economy that Supports Women, Children, and Families

WASHINGTON – With the unveiling of the American Families Plan and President Joe Biden’s address to the nation this evening, National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) Chief Executive Officer Sheila Katz released the following statement:

“National Council of Jewish Women welcomes President Biden’s American Jobs Plan and his newly announced American Families Plan proposing 1.8 trillion dollars to be invested in childcare, paid family leave, early childhood education, economic security for families, and other issues traditionally associated with women and marginalized people.

“The American Jobs Plan and the American Families Plan are once-in-a-generation opportunities to rebuild our economy not just to where we were before the pandemic, but to a place where it is inclusive and responsive to the needs of everyone living in our country. Together they send a clear message that if we don’t take care of our families, America cannot get back to work.

“The funding priorities laid out in the president’s plan will save the childcare industry and more quickly reverse the challenging trend that more than one-third of parents, mostly women, have not returned to the workforce because of childcare needs. If adopted by Congress, this plan will also give parents and families the dignity they need to get by in such difficult times. It will make it easier for children to receive free meals in school and access early childhood education. It will ease the financial burden by giving parents extra dollars for each child they have. And it will require paid family leave for everyone in the United States using an expansive definition of family that includes chosen families, which is particularly important for the LGBTQ community. All of this will provide peace of mind for struggling families as we all continue to navigate the ongoing impact of Covid-19.

“And we know there is still more work to be done. NCJW will continue to work with Congress to draft and pass legislation that includes the priorities laid out in the president’s plan as well as further reforms, such as making permanent the expanded child tax credit, clear action to curb the ongoing maternal health crisis, and a path to citizenship for essential workers to ensure everyone has economic security and the power to shape the future for themselves.”

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National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is a grassroots organization of 180,000 volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms. Through a program of education, community service, education, and advocacy, our advocates across the country create lasting social change on our key issues of the federal courts; reproductive health, rights, and justice, and voter engagement. More information on Facebook and on Twitter at @NCJW.