(WASHINGTON, DC) – Representative Conor Lamb (PA-17) introduced the bipartisan Supporting American Families, Employers (SAFE) Kids and Jobs Act with his colleagues, Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1) and Linda Sánchez (CA-38).  The text of the SAFE Kids and Jobs Act passed the House yesterday on a bipartisan basis as part of the Child Care for Economic Recovery Act (H.R. 7327); the legislation will help families pay for child or dependent care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Too many families in my district are struggling to afford childcare during this pandemic.  With many schools and summer camps closed, families shouldn’t have to choose between working or keeping their kids safe,” said Lamb.  “The SAFE Kids and Jobs Act would help millions of Americans pay for childcare while working.”

The SAFE Kids and Jobs act would establish a tax credit to encourage employers to help cover the cost of child or dependent care for their employees during the pandemic.  Employers would receive this credit quickly and efficiently through the payroll tax system.

“This commonsense bill is designed to get money for care into the hands of Pennsylvanians as quickly as possible.  Ensuring they can pay for childcare helps workers, families, and employers,” added Lamb.

The SAFE Kids and Jobs act builds on Lamb’s work on childcare affordability for working families.  Leading up to the CARES Act negotiations, Lamb led a letter calling on House and Senate leadership to increase funding and flexibility for the Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG) Program, to help essential workers like police, doctors, first responders and grocery store workers access childcare.  The CARES Act, which was signed into law in March, included $3.5 billion in CCDBG funding and language that allowed essential workers to access this critical program.

Click here to learn more about the SAFE Kids and Jobs Act.