Sanders announces $1.5 trillion universal child care plan, calls current system an 'international embarrassment'
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is rolling out his free universal child care plan.
The Vermont senator and 2020 Democratic frontrunner on Monday said that as president, he will "guarantee every child in America free full-day, full-week, high-quality child care from infancy through age three, regardless of income" and also guarantee "every child access to a full-day, full-week pre-kindergarten education regardless of income, starting at age 3."
The Sanders campaign said that under his plan, child care will be provided at least 10 hours a day and "at times to serve parents who work non-traditional hours." The program, according to the proposal, will cost the federal government $1.5 trillion over the next 10 years, paid for by Sanders' tax on the "extreme wealth" of the top 0.1 percent of households. The government will set "quality standards" under the plan.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"Our current child care and early education system in the United States is an international embarrassment," the Sanders campaign said.
Bloomberg notes that Sanders' plan joins the $700 billion plan from fellow presidential hopeful Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), which details a proposal to provide free child care for low-income families and charge others based on their ability to pay.
Sanders previously spoke about his universal child care plan in an interview with 60 Minutes on Sunday, brushing off a question from Anderson Cooper suggesting it's not "clear" how his proposed programs will be funded.
"It is clear how it's going to be paid for," Sanders said. "...It's taxes on billionaires."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Today's political cartoons - April 23, 2024
Cartoons Tuesday's cartoons - Gen Z remonstrated, plastic recycling, and more
By The Week US Published
-
New York prosecutors lay out case against Trump
Speed Read The former president's first criminal trial started in earnest Monday
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
You Are Here: the new David Nicholls 'past-their-prime' romance
The Week Recommends 'Midlife disenchantment' gives way to romance for two walkers on a cross-country hike
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
Puffed rice and yoga: inside the collapsed tunnel where Indian workers await rescue
Speed Read Workers trapped in collapsed tunnel are suffering from dysentery and anxiety over their rescue
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
More than 2,000 dead following massive earthquake in Morocco
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mexico's next president will almost certainly be its 1st female president
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
North Korea's Kim to visit Putin in eastern Russia to discuss arms sales for Ukraine war, U.S. says
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Gabon's military leader sworn in following coup in latest African uprising
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published