Photo: Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images
The legislators of Democratic Party of the House of Representatives launched the “Congressional Dads Caucus” on Thursday, vowing to advocate for policies that help working-class familiesincluding paid family leave and the expanded child tax credit.
California Democratic Rep. Jimmy Gomez, who grabbed headlines earlier this month when he brought his young son, Hodges, onto the House floor during the presidential race, addressed a news conference in Capitol Hill on Thursday to announce the creation of the caucus.
As the proud father to my five-month-old son Hodge, it is an honor to launch the first Congressional Dads Caucus!
The formation of this Caucus is rooted in a simple idea: Dads need to do our part, both at home and in the halls of Congress. 1/4 pic.twitter.com/o6wQdJn9v4
— Rep. Jimmy Gomez (@RepJimmyGomez) January 26, 2023
He was joined by Reps. Daniel Goldman (DN.Y.) and Andy Kim (DN.J.), both parents, as well as Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), founder of the Congressional Mamas’ Caucus. Representatives of advocacy groups for working families were also at the ad.
“The creation of the Dads Caucus sends a powerful message: we want to show not only interest in, but also advocacy for the issues that affect working fathers, and to change hearts and minds when it comes to the role of fathers at home and in Congress,” Gomez said in a statement.
Dads must do our part to promote policies that will make a difference in the lives of so many fathers across the country.”
Jimmy Gomez, Democratic Representative from CA
Texas Rep. Joaquin Castro, who joined Gomez in forming the caucus, said men have a role to play in supporting policies that help working families.
Andy Kim, a New Jersey legislator, said: “I helped launch the Dads Caucus today because my kids are the reason I’m in Congress. I do this work for them. I want our children to have a better future, and I hope this caucus plays a role in helping mothers and fathers across the country.”
“With this group here today, and with more members to come in the future, we are determined to achieve real solutions by fighting for our national paid family and medical leave program, high-quality affordable child care, and the expanded child tax credit, that reduced child poverty in this country between 40 and 60% during the nine months it was in force,” said Gómez.
The American Bailout Plan, which President Biden signed into law in March 2021, expanded the Child Tax Credit, though the larger monthly payments expired at the end of that year after Congress failed to renew the program.
According to the Census Bureau, the increased payments pushed 2.1 million children above the poverty line.
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