WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats in Congress are pushing for a new round of money to keep the nation’s child care industry afloat, saying thousands of programs are at risk of closing when federal pandemic relief runs out this month. Without a new lifeline, child care programs serving millions of families could close or increase prices. A June report from The Century Foundation found that without additional money, about 70,000 child care programs would probably have to shut down after this month. The average annual price for U.S. child care in 2022 was $10,800 per child, according to Child Care Aware of America, a nonprofit advocacy group. President Joe Biden has called for expanded child care support, but his biggest proposal stalled amid a polarized Congress and Democratic infighting.

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Persons: ”, Sen, Patty Murray, Bernie Sanders of, Catherine Clark of, Cynthia Davis, Davis, “, Joe Biden, Clark Organizations: WASHINGTON, —, American, Republican, Bernie Sanders of Vermont, The Century Foundation, D.C, Department of Health, Human Services, Century Foundation, Democratic, Democratic holdouts, Congress, Associated Press, Foundation, AP Locations: Catherine Clark of Massachusetts, . Arkansas , Montana , Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington, Washington ,, America