As a working mom, I know first-hand how difficult it can be to secure childcare. Affordable childcare is essential to ensuring a strong economic recovery and overcoming our workforce shortages. We know that 1.8 million women, including over 1 million mothers, dropped out of the workforce as a result of COVID-19, many of whom haven’t been able to re-enter. Last month, women accounted for only 12% of the new jobs that were created nationwide.

Just received an additional briefing from @fema officials on their response on the continued fallout from Ida. Residents located in counties that received a disaster declaration may begin to apply for Individual Assistance. FEMA is also working to set up Disaster Recovery Centers this week on the ground in these areas.

THREAD: With 5 million cases of COVID and 163K Americans dead, Executive Orders that gut Social Security and Medicare and shift the UI cost to states don't cut it. Ignoring schools, child care, and food assistance isn’t leadership. Congress must pass a package to address: UI: Expanded UI is “protecting the economy from the cascading effects of a sudden drop in consumer demand” from the pandemic. This keeps some of our small businesses afloat and millions out of poverty.
wsj.com/articles/lapse…

Spoke yesterday with the Acting Director of the Strategic National Stockpile to advocate for New Jersey and the critical need for key medical equipment for our healthcare systems, nursing homes, and first responders on the front lines in our state. 1/ I talked about the importance of getting additional personal protective equipment (PPE) and ventilators to NJ. I told him about my calls every morning with our local healthcare providers, and their concerns about protecting personnel and expanding intensive care capacity. 2/