Include Families in the Economic Recovery!

Last week the House passed the Economic Recovery package, including key provisions to help families such as the Unemployment Insurance Modernization Act (UIMA) which would give the states incentives to provide unemployment insurance for part-time and low wage workers, a child tax credit to benefit more low-income working families, and the expansion of child care and early education programs such as Head Start.

The Senate has begun considering this bill but we are concerned that they are not as committed to these key programs as we'd like. We've got to make sure that the Senate approves a bill that includes key programs that provide economic security to families.

Tell your Senators that families must be at the center of our nation's economic recovery!

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I'm a member of MomsRising.org and I urge you to ensure the American Recovery and Investment Act includes key provisions to provide economic security for families.  Recovery programs that support families will help those most in need, as well as provide effective, efficient economic stimulus.  I strongly urge you to support the following provisions as part of the economic recovery package:

1. Improve the Child Tax Credit and extend its reach to millions of working families by lowering the income threshold.  This change would provide critical help to workers whose wages and hours have been cut because of the recession.  Not only will this change help low-income families, it will also support the broader recovery by putting additional dollars into the economy.

2. Provide Unemployment Coverage for Part-Time Workers by supporting the Unemployment Insurance Modernization Act (UIMA). Right now, only 37 percent of unemployed workers receive unemployment benefits, which leaves 63% of workers out! This is largely because Unemployment Insurance was created in 1935, and its rules are outmoded and fail to reflect how the workforce has changed dramatically since then: There are far more low-wage, part-time, and women workers in the labor market whose incomes are essential to the family budget--and whose jobs are at risk in this economic crisis.

3. Support the Expansion of Child Care and Early Education by increasing funding for the Child Care and Development Block Grant, Head Start, and Early Head Start programs.  By providing additional funding for Head Start, we can ensure that low-wage workers have safe and high quality care for their children while they are working. Studies have shown that child care is a key part of the economy and is responsible for generating nearly $580 billion in labor income and $69 billion in tax revenue while providing more than 15 million jobs.

Thank you for your commitment to developing an effective economic recovery plan that provides the security our families need.

Sincerely,