(The Lion) — A new congressional bill would grant parents greater financial support and freedom of choice in childcare decisions, the Daily Wire reports.
The Respecting Parents’ Childcare Choices Act, introduced Monday by Rep. Riley M. Moore, R-West Virginia, increases annual funding vouchers for working-class families, which could also support additional childcare options outside of traditional daycare, according to Moore’s press release. For example, Parents who decide to leave a relative with their child could use these vouchers as equivalent payment.
The bill also protects faith-based childcare providers.
“For decades, conservatives have rallied around being pro-life, but far too often, the policy framework that came with it lacked strong, substantive ideas to reduce the burden on American families,” Moore said in his press release. “Being pro-life means being pro-family, and with this legislation, we’re empowering families to choose what works best for them.”
Rep. Clay Higgins, R-Louisiana, and Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, co-sponsored the bill, and Sen. Jim Banks, R-Indiana, proposed identical legislation in the Senate, according to the press release.
Endorsements for the bill have come in from a number of pro-life, pro-family organizations, including Heritage Action for America, American Principles Project, American Compass, Independent Women’s Forum, CatholicVote, Family Policy Alliance and Students for Life.
“The first line in the care and education of children is always the parents. Moms and Dads know what is better for their sons and daughters more than bureaucrats,” said Joshua Mercer, vice president of CatholicVote. “Sen. Banks and Rep. Moore deserve praise for putting the rights of parents above a liberal big government agenda.”
Janae Stracke, vice president for Outreach and Advocacy at Heritage Action, said the Act grants freedom and flexibility to parents.
Kristen Hawkins, president of Students for Life of America and Students for Life Action, said this legislation provides parents with options outside of traditional daycare.
“This measure helps empower families to make choices about who is best to care for their children, without forcing government daycare,” Hawkins said. “The people most devoted to their children should have the freedom to decide who will best protect and love them, while parents are at work.”
