Dads Caucus pushes for paid leave, childcare investment ahead of Father’s Day

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — A group of dads in Congress are teaming up to support policies they say will help families ahead of Father’s Day.

California Congressman Jimmy Gomez started the Congressional Dads Caucus last year when his son Hodge was a baby.

“Now I’ve graduated to toddler dad, and have the literal scars to prove it,” Gomez said.

Gomez’s group of fellow dad lawmakers has grown, too. He says they encourage each other to take time off to care for family but know that’s not an option for everyone.

“Whether it’s a lack of paid leave or unaffordable childcare, the American economy isn’t working for working families,” Gomez said.

That’s why Gomez says the Dads Caucus is renewing their push for policies they say will help families.

“The more dads get involved, especially since mothers have been doing this work for a long time, I think it helps elevate the issue to a higher level,” Gomez said.

Colorado Congressman Joe Neguse said the child tax credit in 2021 was a good step, but Congress needs to go further.

“We know we have more work to do to expand and make permanent that child tax credit,” Neguse said.

In addition to the child tax credit, the caucus’s main priorities include passing national paid family leave and investing in childcare.

“We are not talking about radical policies,” Gary Barker, President and CEO of Equimundo: Center for Masculinities and Social Justice said.

Barker says the burdens on parents have only grown since COVID. He says a recent survey of moms and dads shows that.

“About one in eight men said they had to leave a job so they could do caregiving at home. A bigger number of women of course, that’s one in five women, have done the same,” Barker said.

The caucus is made up of just Democrats right now: a barrier to passing bills. Gomez said he’s had discussions with Republicans to get some onboard.

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