House Democrats said Wednesday the nation cannot return to pre-pandemic life without a massive spending measure to provide funding for caregivers as part of an infrastructure package President Joe Biden and Congress are negotiating.

“The House Democratic Caucus, the speaker, and others have been clear that we believe a meaningful investment in the caring economy in long-term care and home care, and child care, and caring for our seniors in healthcare is important for the American people emerging from a deadly pandemic,” House Democratic Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries, a New York Democrat, told reporters Wednesday.