Biden Admin Defends Child Care Being Part of Infrastructure Plan as Crucial to Competitiveness

The Biden administration is defending its decision to include policies not traditionally considered "infrastructure" in its $2 trillion infrastructure package—including billions for child care and home health care—as crucial to helping revive the economy.

"It's core to our competitiveness," Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo told reporters of the decision to include what she dubbed the "care economy" in the bill.

Without access to quality care, she said, families struggle to join or stay in the workforce.

Republicans opposed to Biden's plan—in particular its massive price tag following the recent passage of a separate $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill—have pushed back on items that it includes funding for that haven't previously been covered in infrastructure packages and proposals.

But Biden's team, as it tries to build support, has defended the broader scope, which also includes funding to expand broadband and upgrade water systems.

"Every single business leader I've talked to applauds the fact that this package is more than just roads, bridges and water," Raimondo, a former governor of Rhode Island, said. "Come on, 35 percent of Americans in rural areas don't have broadband. You cannot have a modern economy without that."

This is a developing story and will be updated.