Child Care Is Buckling

"Trump stated that it is 'not possible' for the federal government to 'take care of day care' because 'we're fighting wars' and 'we're a big country.' He argued that funding should be managed by the states."

"Democrats highlighted that the billions spent on the war in Iran could instead support many people, including investments in free nationwide preschool, which could alleviate some of the child care burdens."

"Child care is a vital piece of infrastructure that supports military readiness, as about a third of active-duty service members are parents, and it influences parents' ability to participate in the labor market."

"The child-care system is failing, with widespread program closures. Indiana has lost over 10,300 slots due to more than 300 program shutdowns, while Oklahoma and North Carolina have also seen significant losses."

Trump emphasized that the federal government cannot manage day care funding due to military commitments and the size of the country. He suggested states should handle such funding. Critics pointed out that military spending could instead support child care initiatives. Child care is crucial for military families and overall economic participation. The child-care system is failing, evidenced by significant program closures across states like Indiana, Oklahoma, and North Carolina, leading to thousands of lost child care slots.

Read at The Atlantic