Today, President Biden Signed an executive order to expand access to affordable, high-quality care and provide support for care workers and family caregivers. This executive order, which includes more than 50 directives for agencies across the government, is the most comprehensive set of executive actions any President has ever taken to make care more affordable and accessible for hardworking families and further support care workers and family caregivers.
The President believes investing in care is an investment in the future of America's families, workforce, and economy. That is why President Biden's economic agenda aims to build the economy from the bottom up and the middle out by transforming care in this country.
See below for how congressional leaders, family caregivers, people with disabilities, long-term care workers, early educators, veterans, aging advocates, and more responded:
Congressional Leaders:
Massachusetts Congresswoman and Minority Whip Katherine Clark: "No family should be forced to choose between caring for their loved ones and putting food on the table. No care worker should have to take home less than a living wage. And no business should lose dedicated employees because they can't find care for their family members. Thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration's unprecedented executive actions today, more Americans across the country will enjoy the dignity and financial security they deserve. Millions of parents, caregivers, educators, and veterans will have access to the affordable, high-quality care they need to get by - while our economy will have the foundation it needs to thrive. Democrats understand that the care economy has always been a vital piece of our nation's infrastructure - that care work enables all other work. Since day one, President Biden has put working families front and center, and House Democrats will continue to champion solutions that put people over politics: lower costs for parents, quality care for kids, and livable wages for care workers." [Statement, 4/18/23]
Washington Senator Patty Murray, Chairwoman, Senate Appropriations Committee: "@POTUS's executive order takes critical steps to help make child care more affordable & accessible for working families everywhere. But make no mistake: we still need bold congressional action to fix our child care crisis-& that's what I'm working nonstop to do." [Tweet, 4/18/23]
Montana Senator John Tester, Chairman, Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee: "This is great news for our aging and disabled veterans who deserve and have earned access to quality home-based care. Ensuring these men and women have access to convenient, long-term care options after their time in uniform is absolutely critical, and I'm proud to have pushed the Administration to take action. I'll keep working to hold folks in Washington accountable on delivering this needed support now and in the future." [Statement, 4/18/23]
Connecticut Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, Ranking Member, House Appropriations Committee: "The rising cost of living is an assault on working families in the U.S. I applaud President Biden for taking steps to lower the cost of child care and give care and education workers a deserved boost in pay." [Tweet, 4/18/23]
Virginia Congressman Bobby Scott, Ranking Member, House Education and the Workforce Committee: "It's obvious to our constituents and it should be obvious to politicians: we can't expect people to work unless we invest in the support they need to care for their loved ones. This is a vital step that reflects many of my long-standing priorities." [Tweet, 4/18/23]
Congressional Progressive Caucus: "As the COVID-19 pandemic made abundantly clear, care workers are essential to our economy and to the health and wellbeing of all our communities. But for too long, child care and home care have been unaffordable, inaccessible, and care workers dramatically undervalued and …] Today, President Biden rightfully recognized that well-paid, experienced care workers are central to ensuring a competitive and fair economy, and that access to affordable, quality care services are necessary for every family to thrive. […]" [Statement, 4/18/23]
Virginia Senator Tim Kaine: "Parents are being locked out of the workforce because they can't affordable child care. Critical workers who are passionate about child and long-term care are being forced to leave their field because they can't pay their bills. It's clear from my conversations with Virginians across the Commonwealth that our care system is in crisis, and our workers, families, and economies are paying the price. Today's announcement is an important step in the right direction, but more work remains to be done[…]" [Statement, 4/18/23]
California Congresswoman Sara Jacobs: "I'm so grateful the Biden Administration is expanding access to long-term care and child care, including for military families, and raising the pay of care workers. This will be life-changing for so many families." [Tweet, 4/18/23]
California Congressman Jared Huffman: "Everyone deserves access to affordable, high-quality care. And everyone providing vital care deserves no less than a solid living wage. The U.S. can't thrive without the strong foundation of the care economy. Well done, @POTUS, for taking these steps." [Tweet, 4/18/23]
Delaware Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester: "We know that lack of access to child care was one of the reasons why nearly 2 million women left the workforce during the pandemic. I applaud @POTUS' commitment to making it more affordable and accessible through this EO – a win-win for parents and caregivers and our economy." [Tweet, 4/18/23]
Georgia Congresswoman Nikema Williams: "Increasing access to care makes our entire economy stronger. Thank you @POTUS for taking action to improve the care economy. #CareCantWait" [Tweet, 4/18/23]
Maryland Congressman John Sarbanes: "I'm pleased that @POTUS is improving access to long-term care for seniors, home-based care for veterans and quality childcare for families. This executive order will help lower costs for families and support care workers and family caregivers." [Tweet, 4/18/23]
New York Congresswoman Grace Meng: "Thank you to @JoeBiden for standing with parents and working to make child care cheaper and more accessible! This is an important step forward, but there are too many families struggling to make ends meet. We cannot leave anyone behind." [Tweet, 4/18/23]
New York Congresswoman Yvette Clarke: "Applauding @POTUS' bold, humanitarian action to invest in America's child care workers. When the vast majority of care workers are women and women of color, there can be no debate - this is a cause for racial justice, and I'm proud to see the Biden Administration fight for it." [Tweet, 4/18/23]
Ohio Congresswoman Joyce Beatty: "The shortage of affordable child care in our country is a crisis. With this executive order, we're taking significant steps toward a permanent child care infrastructure that respects and values women in the workforce. Thank you, @POTUS! 👏🏾" [Tweet, 4/18/23]
Oregon Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici: "Parents, caregivers, educators, & veterans deserve access to affordable, high-quality care. I applaud @POTUS for taking steps to lead an economy with the foundation it needs to thrive, & I remain committed to fighting for needed investments in affordable child & long-term care." [Tweet, 4/18/23]
Aging Leaders
AARP: "AARP applauds today's Executive Order recognizing the need to make family caregivers a national priority to meet the rapidly growing needs of families across America. Family caregivers are the indispensable backbone of our health and long-term care system, help their loved ones live at home, and they are exhausted. […] This is a nonpartisan issue that affects us all, but it does not get nearly the recognition or support it deserves. Family caregivers are an essential but often invisible part of almost any care team, who are often in desperate need of more support. […] Today's Executive Order is an important step forward, building on the first-ever National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers released last fall, the result of years of bipartisan effort in Congress. We stand ready to work with the Administration to advance the important policies to support family caregivers and the long-term workforce. We will continue to work with bipartisan leaders in Congress to advance legislation that can further deliver relief to family caregivers such as paid leave, family caregiver tax credits and other reimbursement programs, and other supports. AARP has spent decades fighting for family caregivers across the country, and we won't stop until their needs are addressed-and their voices are heard." [Statement, 4/18/2023]
AARP Advocates: "We're at the White House for an announcement that will help family caregivers nationwide!" [Tweet, 4/18/2023]
Michael Adams, CEO, SAGE USA: "A beautiful day in the Rose Garden with @HHS_ASH as @POTUS signs an executive order increasing support for direct care workers. Like millions of people living in the U.S., #LGBTQ elders rely on care workers as they age; greater funding will help them keep the resources they need." [Tweet, 4/18/2023]
Ramsey Alwin, President & CEO, National Council on Aging: "1/ So excited to witness this moment @WhiteHouse when we start helping our caregivers, both paid and unpaid. #CareCantWait" [Tweet Thread, 4/18/2023]
Jennifer Goldberg, Deputy Director, Justice in Aging: " 'You care for the people we value the most in the whole world' -@POTUS talking about family caregivers and care workers in the Rose Garden #CareCantWait #CareEconomy #CareWorkersRecognitionMonth" [Tweet, 4/18/2023]
Jo Ann Jenkins, CEO, AARP: "Family caregivers are an essential part of almost any care team, working hand-in-hand with the paid direct care workforce. We must strengthen and support this care team and today's Executive Order is an important step forward." [Tweet, 4/18/2023]
Justice in Aging: "We commend President Biden for his continued leadership in building a care infrastructure that meets the needs of older adults. The actions outlined in today's Executive Order to advance better home care jobs, provide increased supports for family caregivers, and improve care in nursing facilities align with Justice in Aging's vision for a society that ensures all older adults can age in dignity," said Kevin Prindiville, Executive Director of Justice in Aging. "This Executive Order sends a clear signal that this Administration values older adults and their caregivers, and we look forward to continuing our work with the Administration and Congress on building an equitable long-term care system." [Statement, 4/18/2023]
Nancy LeaMond, Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy and Engagement Officer, AARP: "Today's White House Executive Order recognizes the essential role that family caregivers play in our health and long-term care system. This is a huge victory building on years of hard work by advocates and policymakers on both sides of the aisle." [Tweet, 4/18/2023]
Jason Resendez, President & CEO, National Alliance for Caregiving: "Incredibly humbled to join @POTUS today for the signing of an Executive Order that will move our nation closer to valuing America's 53 mil caregivers. My family's caregiver-in-chief, my abuelo, grew up picking cotton in South Texas so I could be here today 🥲#CaregivingIntheUS." [Tweet, 4/18/2023]
National Alliance for Caregiving: "The National Alliance for Caregiving applauds the Biden administration's efforts to address our nation's caregiving crisis by signing 50 executive actions aimed at strengthening our care infrastructure. The administration's sweeping actions will better recognize and support family caregivers in healthcare settings, expand respite support for America's 11 million dementia caregivers, and strengthen mental health supports for the caregivers of military veterans. In addition, efforts to expand access to affordable, high-quality childcare and provide support for care workers represent a bold approach to improving care across the lifespan. With these actions, the Biden administration is taking historic steps towards implementation of our nation's first-ever National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers and towards addressing the harsh effects- and inequities - associated with caregiving for millions of American families. These consequences include worsening health outcomes, emotional distress, and economic insecurity, especially among women of color. The National Alliance for Caregiving urges continued action by the administration and Congress to implement the National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers and to advance policies such as paid family and medical leave that can help making caregiving more sustainable, dignified, and equitable for America's 53 million family caregivers." [Statement, 4/18/2023]
National Council on Aging: "(1/2): NCOA's President and CEO @Ramsey_Alwin attended the @WhiteHouse ceremony where @POTUS signed executive orders that will help caregivers and #CareWorkers, both paid and unpaid. #CareCantWait" [Tweet Thread, 4/18/2023]
Caring Across Generations: "And with that, a new path is paved for the future of care in this country. We were so honored to join @domesticworkers, @SEIU, @NPWF, @NAEYC, @MomsRising and other #CareCantWait partners as @POTUS signed his executive order on care." [Tweet, 4/18/2023]
Childcare Leaders
Child Care Aware of America: "The White House today announced more than 50 executive directives aimed at improving access to and quality of child care and long-term care in the United States. These sweeping actions are aimed at increasing the affordability of and access to child care for families and targeting the compensation for child care providers. […]This country's child care infrastructure still requires robust, permanent investments to succeed. These steps must be met with Congressional commitments to provide federal funding for child care in the U.S. to reach its fullest potential. [Statement, 4/18/23]
Sarah Rittling, Executive Director, First Five Years Fund: "The president's message tonight was clear: Congress should prioritize child care and early learning and send a bill lowering families' costs to his desk for signature. President Biden understands that the high cost and limited supply of child care and pre-K has held working families back for too long. We have an opportunity to provide relief to parents and build an early learning system that meets the needs of families, providers, and our economy.[…]The good news is that we have never been closer to passing strong, federal legislation to fortify America's child care and early learning sector. We look forward to continuing to work with Congress and heed the President's call this evening to enact these desperately-needed reforms and investments." [Statement, 4/18/23]
Michelle Kang, CEO of the National Association for the Education of Young Children: "A day when the White House recognizes the valuable and essential work of early childhood educators is a good day. NAEYC is grateful for this Administration's efforts to find every opportunity to give the child care crisis the attention it so richly deserves and the solutions it requires – and we look forward to continued work with Congress to make the investments it so urgently needs." [Statement, 4/18/23]
Yasmina Vinci, NHSA Executive Director, National Head Start Association: "We are deeply appreciative to see President Biden doubling-down on the vision laid out in his FY24 budget proposal, which aims to simultaneously stabilize the Head Start workforce and increase access for working parents and caregivers. It is commendable that the President is doing everything in his power to ensure the stability and ability of Head Start programs to continue providing high-quality services to our nation's families and we now look to the 118th Congress to do everything in their power to move this vision forward. […]" [Statement, 4/18/23]
Save the Children Action Network: " Great news for the child care industry! Today, the @WhiteHouse announced an executive order prioritizing child care and the early educator workforce. This is a big step toward supporting the caregivers and families across the country!" [Tweet, 4/18/23]
Miriam Calderón, Chief Policy Officer at Zero To Three "We commend the Biden Administration for its bold leadership and commitment to this vital issue. There is no denying that our nation's child care system is broken and in need of extraordinary efforts to guarantee every baby has the opportunity to access high-quality child care that will prepare them to learn and grow. We call on Congress to work with the Administration to build on these executive actions. A first step is continuing to support investments that sustain child care supply and lower costs for families, including the stabilization funding expiring this year, while working towards enacting comprehensive policies to guarantee access to high-quality child care and early learning opportunities." [Statement, 4/18/23]
National Indian Child Care Association: "Too many families and individuals struggle to access the affordable, high-quality care they need. […] President Biden believes that we must secure significant new federal investments to transform care in this country. That's why he and Vice President Harris called for investments to support high-quality, affordable child care, preschool, and long-term care in their fiscal year 2024 budget. While Congress considers those proposals, the President is taking immediate action to make care more affordable for American families, support family caregivers, boost compensation and improve job quality for care workers, and expand care options." [Instagram, 4/18/23]
Start Early: "Start Early applauds @POTUS for taking action to increase #childcare access for families and compensation supports for providers across the country." [Tweet, 4/18/23]
Start Early: "Start Early applauds President Biden for taking action to increase child care access for families and compensation supports for providers across the country. We call on Congress to expand on this support for our nation's youngest learners and those who care for them." [LinkedIn, 4/18/23]
Dan Wuori, Senior Director of Early Learning, The Hunt Institute: "This afternoon President Biden will sign an executive order including more than 50 federal actions related to care. One likely result is the reduction or elimination of child care copayments for families receiving subsidized care." [Tweet, 4/18/23]
Disability Leaders
Maria Town, President & CEO, American Association of People with Disabilities: "For decades, disabled people have fought to live in our homes and communities, not in institutions. A key element to this fight is enhancing wages, benefits, and job conditions for direct support workers who provide the necessary services to ensure community integration. Individuals in this workforce, who are predominantly disabled women of color, must often work multiple jobs with no benefits to make ends meet. […] We urge Congress to pass President Biden's budget and to commit to the improved employment, financial security, and health of our nation through investment in home and community based services, paid leave, and child care. […]" [Statement, 4/18/23]
American Association of People with Disabilities: "Today, the Biden-Harris Admin announced 50 actions to bolster the care economy! An Executive Order signed by Pres. Biden this afternoon will increase access to #HCBS & childcare, improve jobs for direct support workers, & support unpaid caregivers." [Tweet Thread, 4/18/23]
Christopher Banks, President and CEO of the Autism Society of America: "Our community-based service system is in crisis. Many Autistic individuals want to live at home or in their community with support, but funding has not kept up with the needs of families. We applaud President Biden's actions and urge Congress to pass the Better Care Better Jobs Act to support families with disabilities." [Statement, 4/18/23] 4/18/23]
HFC (Alzheimer's Advocacy): "This is big! Biden's executive order is the most comprehensive set of actions on care EVER and will create a roadmap for federal agencies to drastically improve care programs for all of us. #CareCantWait" [Tweet, 4/18/23]
See Mia Roll, Director of the Disability Justice Initiative, Center for American Progress: "Disabled people provide and receive care and it is essential that we improv the current patchwork system. This new executive action will help millions of individuals and families. #CareCantWait" [Tweet, 4/18/23]
Autism Society: "Today, the Autism Society of America joined President Biden at the White House as he signed an Executive Order to improve care for working families and support professionals caring for individuals with disabilities." [Tweet, 4/18/23]
The Arc of the United States: "Today is a BIG day for caregivers, care workers, and people with disabilities! Today @POTUS announced comprehensive support to strengthen home-based care, job quality, and child care. This is a significant step forward for disability rights!" [Tweet, 4/18/23]
Little Lobbyist: "BREAKING NEWS: Today President Biden will sign an executive order to direct Federal agencies to take steps toward fixing our country's broken child care and long term home care system!" [Tweet, 4/18/23]
National Council on Independent Living: "Today, NCIL Executive Director Theo Braddy joined President Biden as he signed an Executive Order with over 50 directives aimed at increasing support for care workers and family caregivers. These orders included:
- Making child care and long-term care more affordable and accessible for people with disabilities, older adults, and families;
- Providing veterans with better access to home-based care;
- Supporting family caregivers; and
- Improving the job quality for long-term care workers.
