House Democrats want to spend $100 million to give away diapers to low-income families.
Reps. Barbara Lee of California and Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut on Thursday introduced the End Diaper Need Act. The bill is sponsored by other high-profile Democrats like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Ilhan Omar of Minnesota.
The bill would create a “$100 million demonstration program” aimed at distributing free diapers and related products to poor families.
A statement from Lee indicates the money would be sent to cities, states and nonprofit groups, which would then help distribute diapers.
Lee said the cost of diapers hits low-income families harder than others, and said lack of diapers can prevent families from getting access to child care.
“Most child care centers won’t accept a child without an adequate supply of diapers, preventing low-income families from enrolling their child in child care and returning to work,” she said. “These families should not have to choose between purchasing basic household needs and buying diapers.”
“No family should have to choose between buying diapers for their child or buying groceries — but that is exactly the situation many families face every day,” added DeLauro. “Diapers are a matter of basic hygiene, and they are expensive.”
The Democratic bill has a chance of passing the House, which Democrats control. But it would likely face a real hurdle to passage in the Senate, which is controlled by Republicans.
[Also read: Warren’s universal child care plan faces a worker shortage problem]
