Tuning in for Families

By Sammy Chavin-Grant, Federal Strategy Director at FV@W

Last night I joined millions of Americans in watching the second Republican National Convention Presidential debate. While a lot (most) of the debate was a group of folks yelling over each other trying to get their snappy sound bites in and claim some of the spotlight needed to become President, I was pretty surprised to hear a series of questions and remarks focused on key issues for working families. There were also moments of extreme racism, xenophobia, transphobia, and dangerous rhetoric being spread as part of the race for the highest office in our nation – but I want to take a moment to reflect on the key care-oriented moments last night. 

As the debate was opening up Stuart Varney acknowledged that currently, more than 50% of Americans struggle to find and afford child care, before the threat of the September 30 child care cliff. I saw multiple candidates discuss the need to resolve healthcare costs, our mental health crisis, and getting more money in the hands of workers. I even heard one candidate acknowledge the need for addiction treatment. 

In these quick moments – I saw the candidates trying to make a case for caregiving, the cost of living, and time to recover. They were talking about paid family and medical leave, paid sick and safe days, and affordable child care. We already know that these policies work, with 16 states having paid leave programs, 63 localities with sick and safe days policies, and a growing wave of state-based child care programs. 

As an organization grounded in our commitment to creating a system where every family has the time they need to care, this is central to how we consider elections. Care has never been and never will be a partisan issue, it’s an issue for all people no matter where you live, who you love, or how you vote. We are going to continue watching and raising our voices to ensure that all candidates for elected office at every level of government continue to center care in their campaigns because our families can’t wait.