2021: Fitzpatrick Voted Against The American Rescue Plan Act Of 2021,
Which Granted States $39 Billion For Child Care Block Grants. In
March 2021, Fitzpatrick voted against concurring in the Senate amendment
to the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 which would, according to
Congressional Quarterly, "provide $39 billion for child care block
grants to states." The vote was on concurring in the Senate amendment to
the bill. The House concurred with the Senate by a vote of 220-211 and
sent to the President and ultimately the bill became law. [House Vote
72, 3/10/21;
Congressional Quarterly,
3/10/21; Congressional Actions,
H.R.
1319]
The American Rescue Plan Reserved $15 Billion For The Child Care
And Development Block Grant Program To Aid Child Care Facilities,
Especially In Areas With High Need. According to NPR, "Nearly $15
billion in funds are directed to the Child Care & Development Block
Grant program to help support child care facilities, particularly in
high-need areas." [NPR,
3/11/21]
Of The Appropriated Funds, $15 Billion Were Directed To The Child
Care And Development Block Grant And $24 Billion Were For The
Establishment Of A Stabilization Fund For Eligible Qualifying Child
Care Providers. According to CLASP, "Of the $39 billion[4]
included in the American Rescue Plan Act (ARP Act), nearly $15
billion will provide expanded child care assistance through the
Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) to support families
and providers, including supporting the child care needs of
essential workers. The remaining nearly $24 billion creates a
stabilization fund for eligible child care providers, including
those who haven't previously received funding through CCDBG."
[CLASP,
3/10/21]
The Reserved Funds For Child Care Block Grants Helped Cover
Various Expenses, Including Worker Compensation, Facility Rent And
Maintenance, Personal Protective Equipment And COVID Materials,
Necessities To Continue To Provide Care, Mental Health Assistance
For Children And Educators, And Reimbursements Relating To The
Pandemic. According to CLASP, "These funds can stabilize child
care programs by covering a range of expenses such as personnel
costs, rent, facility maintenance and improvements, personal
protective equipment (PPE) and COVID-related supplies, goods and
services needed to resume providing care, mental health supports for
children and early educators, and reimbursement of costs associated
with the current public health emergency." [CLASP,
3/10/21]
2021: Fitzpatrick Voted Against Authorizing Nearly $100 Billion
Through FY 2024 For The Creation Of A Child Care And Early Learning
Entitlement Program. In November 2021, Fitzpatrick voted against the
Build Back Better act which would, according to Congressional Quarterly,
"establish a child care and early learning entitlement program,
providing approximately $100 billion for the program through fiscal
2024." The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of
220-213. [House Vote 385,
11/19/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 11/19/21;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
5376]
2021: Fitzpatrick Voted Against Authorizing $18 Billion Through FY
2024 For A Free Universal Pre-School Program. In November 2021,
Fitzpatrick voted against the Build Back Better act which would,
according to Congressional Quarterly, "provide $18 billion through
fiscal 2024 for a free universal preschool program." The vote was on
passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 220-213. [House Vote
385, 11/19/21;
Congressional Quarterly,
11/19/21; Congressional
Actions, H.R.
5376]