Dear Friend,
As Mother’s Day approaches, we’re celebrating a powerful display of MOMentum at the U.S. Capitol last week. Moms came together from across the nation to make sure our leaders heard the real impact of the affordability crisis on moms, families, small businesses, and our economy.
Last week marked a first: The first-ever mom-centered Congressional hearing on the affordability crisis and its impact on moms and families was held. Three MomsRising members, along with myself, testified in Congress about how the rising cost of child care, health care, groceries, and gas is squeezing our families until the math simply doesn’t math anymore.
Powerful personal stories and policy needs were shared—as dozens of moms walked the halls of Congress bringing the “receipts” from MomsRising members around the country as proof of this affordability crisis. Receipts ranged from $6,000+ out-of-pocket medical bills to child care costs that rival second mortgages. All the receipts and a book of stories were given directly to leaders, representing moms across the nation who are working hard to keep their heads above water.
Moms can’t afford to wait any longer for lower costs!
Julie, a middle school teacher from Michigan, testified: “Paying for child care has been an enormous challenge. Before [my son] started elementary school, his child care cost about as much as our mortgage. I don’t know many people who can afford two mortgage payments!”
Nicole from Florida testified about the terrifying reality of our health care system: “I’ve been dealing with a health issue that’s landed me in the ER, and my doctor recommended a colonoscopy to rule out potential causes. Then the nurse called me and told me the out-of-pocket cost would be nearly $6,000—at an in-network, nonprofit hospital. I canceled the appointment.”
Samantha, a child care director in Georgia, testified about her experience: “When families’ budgets are squeezed, some are forced to pull their kids out of care… One mom recently told me she might not be able to bring her daughter to school because she can’t afford the high cost of gas.”
While President Trump and his allies in Congress called the affordability crisis a “hoax,” moms know it is all too real:
- A pound of hamburger now costs more than the federal minimum wage. [1] [2]
- The cost of child care now exceeds the price of public college in most states—and more than rent in 17 states. [3]
- Millions of Americans are being pushed off health care altogether as health care premiums double, triple, and even quadruple. [4] [5]
- The cost of the basic pillars of living—housing, health care, food, and child care—now consumes so much of the household budget that a typical family needs an annual income of $145,000 just to get by. [6]
Your voice is needed. Instead of investing in our children, President Trump and Republican leaders in Congress have consistently moved to cut trillions in funding for child care, SNAP, and Medicaid while diverting our taxpayer dollars into out-of-control ICE, reckless wars, and billionaire tax cuts. President Trump even said it himself: “We’re fighting wars, we can’t take care of daycare.” [7] They are choosing cruelty and chaos over the stability that American families and our economy need to thrive.
We know the solutions: Affordable child care, paid family/medical leave, and lowering the costs of everyday essentials. These aren’t just “mom issues”—they are economic imperatives. Passing these policies would boost our GDP by 3 percent and help close the motherhood wage gap, where moms overall are still paid just 74 cents for every dollar paid to dads. [8] [9]
Together, we are the persistent force that will move this nation toward a future where every family can afford to thrive.
With gratitude and hope,
– Kristin, Donna, Ruth, Olivia, Valeria, Lauren, Nina, Felicia, Hanna, and the whole MomsRising.org & MamásConPoder Team
P.S.S. Want to watch the full ‘Moms Pay the Price’ hearing? Check it out here!
References:
[1] President Trump Remarks on the Economy | C-SPAN.org
[2] A Pound of Ground Beef Now Costs More Than the Federal Minimum Wage | Money
[3] Updated resource calculates the cost of child care in every state: Child care is more expensive than public college tuition in 38 states and Washington D.C. | Economic Policy Institute
[4] Since Congress Let Obamacare Subsidies Expire, Millions Are Dropping Coverage | New York Times
[5] ACA Marketplace Premium Payments Would More than Double on Average Next Year if Enhanced Premium Tax Credits Expire | KFF
[6] A typical U.S. family needs annual income of $145,000 to thrive, study finds. About half fall short. | CBS News
[7] Trump says it’s ‘not possible’ for the U.S. to pay for Medicaid, Medicare and day care: ‘We’re fighting wars’ | NBC
[8] The Impact of Equal Pay on Poverty and the Economy | IWPR
[9] The Wage Gap Robs Mothers of What They’re Owed | National Women’s Law Center
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