CBS News
The child care crisis in the U.S. is real. How would Harris and Trump help families?
Both the Democratic and Republican presidential nominees are shining a light on burdensome child care costs as many families across the U.S. struggle to afford help.
Child care costs are among families’ biggest expenses, eating up more than a quarter of an average household’s total income in some states across the U.S. The typical family spends $700 a month on child care, according to Bank of America data. In some states like New York, child care costs have soared 46% since 2019 and now average nearly $20,000 a year, according to a new report from The Century Foundation, a progressive think tank.
Here’s what Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are saying about how they plan to help families deal with surging child care costs.
Capping costs
Harris has proposed capping working families’ child care costs at no more than 7% of their incomes, a threshold that was first proposed as part of President Biden’s 2021 Build Back Better package. Harris first announced the goal during a live interview at an interview in Philadelphia with members of the National Association of Black Journalists.
“Harris’ plan proposing to cap the amount of child care paid to 7% of household income is terrific. It’s a real game-changer,” Donna Cooper, executive director of Children First Pennsylvania, a local advocacy group for quality child care. “For many families, the cost of child care is more than the cost of college and with two kids, their ability to go to work is highly limited.”
Still, Harris hasn’t specified how such a policy would be funded and implemented. For example, that could involve offering parents and caregivers a refundable tax credit, or the federal government taking a large role in paying for child care.
“Without reservation, bright-line policies like a 7% cap are very simple and clean,” Cooper added. “Obviously, any policy is complicated to implement, but that’s a simple, smart way to approach the challenge.”
The National Women’s Law Center Action Fund has given its stamp of approval to Harris’ proposal.
“The Vice President’s plan to cap child care costs at 7% of income for working families would be transformative, providing much-needed relief to those struggling with the soaring expenses of care,” the organization said in a statement.
Child Tax Credit
Harris’ plan to curb costs for families also introduces a $6,000 Child Tax Credit (CTC) for parents of a newborn so families can buy essentials like a crib, car seat and clothing without having to forego other necessities.
Additionally, she has proposed restoring a more generous CTC, which was enhanced during the pandemic, for all other eligible families. The expanded benefit would give $3,600 to families with children under six years old and $3,000 to those with kids over that age.
Although child care experts favor an expanded CTC, they note that such a policy only addresses one part of the problem — costs— while ignoring other the broader issues affecting child care. Decades of underinvestment in the industry have led to low wages for caregivers and high costs for parents, resulting in a system that squeezes both child care providers and families seeking care. Many families either can’t find or afford the care they need.
“I am loving the fact that we are now having a robust discussion about the Child Tax Credit, and it seems very clear both sides are interested in bringing it back. It’s very encouraging that we have competing proposals and the number is going up and up,” Keri Rodrigues, co-founder of the National Parents Union, a group that advocates for policies that support parents, told CBS MoneyWatch. “But I don’t think ether campaign has put together a robust proposal that would really solve it.”
The Trump campaign has yet to offer a formal plan to address child care costs, although Trump’s running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance, has proposed boosting the Child Tax Credit to $5,000 per child.
“I’d love to see a child tax credit that’s $5,000 per child,” Vance said told CBS News’ Margaret Brennan on “Face the Nation.” “President Trump has been on the record for a long time supporting a bigger child tax credit, and I think you want it to apply to all American families.”
Trump himself, when asked about child care at the Economic Club of New York earlier this month, said “it’s something you have to have in this country,”
“You have to have it,” he repeated of the importance of child care, noting that raising taxes on foreign imports would “take care” of driving down costs for families.
Leaning on family
Vance also suggested in a September 4 interview at an Arizona church that parents should lean on family members for child care support.
“Language from Vance has referenced family, friend and neighbor care, and we recognize that home-based care through family and friends can be an extremely important part of the child care system. But asking folks to do highly skilled, difficult work without any pay is not beneficial to those families,” Hailey Gibbs, associate director of Early Childhood Policy at American Progress, told CBS MoneyWatch.
Rodrigues, of National Parents Union, is even more blunt.
“The idea that somehow all of this is going to be solved by going to grandma and grandpa or by handing your kids off to an auntie who somehow herself doesn’t have to work a job, and that’s going to get us out of the child care crisis, is utterly preposterous on its face,” she said.
More broadly, experts say it is equally important to improve access to high-quality child care. That means investing in the child care workforce by lowering barriers to entry and boosting wages.
Currently, child care professionals working in a center earn an average of $30,360 a year, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated an existing shortage of child care workers by leading them to exit the industry in favor of higher-paid work.
“We need investments in the child care system that help build supply, and that invest in the early educator workforce,” Gibbs said. “We need a system where these educators are well-compensated and incentivized enter the field, and are equipped to provide high quality care in the classroom.”
CBS News
How to watch the Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears NFL game today: Livestream options, more
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The Minnesota Vikings will take on the Chicago Bears today. The Vikings are currently 8-2, an impressive run so far this season, and will be looking to add a fourth win to their current streak after last Sunday’s 23-13 win against the Tennessee Titans. The Bears, on the other hand, are entering this game on the heels of a four-game losing streak after a tough 20-19 loss against the Green Bay Packers last Sunday.
Here’s how and when you can watch the Vikings vs. Bears game today, whether or not you have cable.
How and when to watch the Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears
The Vikings vs. Bears game will be played on Sunday, November 24, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. ET (11:00 a.m. PT). The game will air on Fox and stream on Fubo and the platforms featured below.
How and when to watch the Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears game without cable
You can watch this week’s NFL game on Fox via several streaming services. All you need is an internet connection and one of the top options outlined below.
Fubo offers you an easy, user-friendly way to watch NFL games on CBS, Fox, NBC, ABC, ESPN, and NFL Network, plus NCAA football channels. The Pro tier includes 200+ channels and unlimited DVR, while the Elite with Sports Plus tier adds NFL RedZone and 4K resolution. New subscribers get a seven-day free trial and all plans allow streaming on up to 10 screens simultaneously.
You can watch today’s game with a subscription to Sling’s Orange + Blue tier, which includes ESPN, ABC, NBC, and Fox. The plan offers 46 channels with local NFL games, nationally broadcast games and 50 hours of DVR storage. For complete NFL coverage, add Paramount+ to get CBS games, or upgrade with the Sports Extra add-on for additional sports channels like Golf Channel, NBA TV and NFL RedZone.
Watching NFL games, including Fox broadcasts, is simple with Hulu + Live TV, which includes 90 channels, unlimited DVR storage, and access to NFL preseason games, live regular season games and studio shows. The service includes ESPN+ and Disney+ in the subscription.
Want to watch today’s game live on your smartphone? If so, NFL+ streaming service is the solution you’re looking for. It lets you watch NFL Network and out-of-market games on mobile devices, with an upgrade option to NFL+ Premium that includes NFL RedZone for watching up to eight games simultaneously. Note that NFL+ only works on phones and tablets, not TVs.
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How to watch the Detroit Lions vs. Indianapolis Colts NFL game today: Livestream options, more
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The Detroit Lions will face off against the Indianapolis Colts today. The Lions enter this game as top contenders with a near-perfect record of 9-1 so far this season. The Colts, who are 5-6 this season, could have a tough game on their hands against the Lions but will be looking to rack up another win after prevailing over the New York Jets in a tight game last Sunday.
Here’s how and when you can watch the Colts vs. Lions game today, whether or not you have cable.
Here’s how and when to watch the Detroit Lions vs. Indianapolis Colts
The Lions vs. Colts game will be played on Sunday, November 24, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. ET (11:00 a.m. PT). The game will air on Fox and stream on Fubo and the platforms featured below.
How and when to watch the Detroit Lions vs. Indianapolis Colts game without cable
You can watch this week’s NFL game on Fox via several streaming services. All you need is an internet connection and one of the top options outlined below.
Experience NFL action like never before with Fubo’s comprehensive sports streaming platform. From Sunday showdowns to primetime matchups, catch every NFL game across major networks including CBS, Fox, NBC, ABC, ESPN and NFL Network. Choose the Pro package to unlock 200+ channels and limitless DVR storage, or elevate your game-day experience with the Elite with Sports Plus package, featuring NFL RedZone’s commercial-free scoring highlights and stunning 4K quality.
Test drive the service with a no-commitment seven-day free trial, and share the excitement with family and friends — Fubo supports simultaneous streaming on up to 10 devices, so everyone can watch their favorite teams.
You can watch today’s game with a subscription to Sling’s Orange + Blue tier, which includes ESPN, ABC, NBC, and Fox. The plan offers 46 channels with local NFL games, nationally broadcast games, and 50 hours of DVR storage. For complete NFL coverage, add Paramount+ to get CBS games, or upgrade with the Sports Extra add-on for additional sports channels like Golf Channel, NBA TV and NFL RedZone.
Watching NFL games, including Fox broadcasts, is simple with Hulu + Live TV, which includes 90 channels, unlimited DVR storage, and access to NFL preseason games, live regular season games and studio shows. The service includes ESPN+ and Disney+ in the subscription.
Want to watch today’s game live on your smartphone? If so, NFL+ streaming service is the solution you’re looking for. It lets you watch NFL Network and out-of-market games on mobile devices, with an upgrade option to NFL+ Premium that includes NFL RedZone for watching up to eight games simultaneously. Note that NFL+ only works on phones and tablets, not TVs.
CBS News
How to watch the New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins NFL game today: Livestream options, more
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The New England Patriots will face off against the Miami Dolphins in a game today at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. The Patriots have had an uneven season so far, coming into the game with a record of 3-8, including a 28-22 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on November 17. The Dolphins, however, haven’t fared much better this season as they enter the game with a record of 4-6, although they are coming off two wins in a row, the latest against the Las Vegas Raiders last weekend.
Keep reading to find out how and when to watch the New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins game today, even without cable.
CBS, Paramount+ and CBS Essentials are all subsidiaries of Paramount Global.
How and when to watch the New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins game today
The New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins game will be played on Sunday, November 24, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. ET (10:00 a.m. PT). The football game will be shown on CBS and streamed on Paramount+ and the platforms noted below.
How and when to watch the New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins game without cable
While CBS is available with many basic cable packages, you’ll have other viewing options, too for the Patriots-Dolphins game. Just understand that the below streaming options will require the use of an internet provider:
Paramount+: Watch CBS-aired NFL games without cable
With Paramount+ you’ll have multiple viewing options to choose from. You can catch NFL games on the Paramount+ Essential tier for just $7.99 each month or you can watch college football with a Paramount+ with Showtime subscription for $12.99 monthly. In addition to live streams of NFL games airing on CBS, you’ll get to watch additional live sporting events including NCAA college football, PGA Tour golf, soccer and more.
Get started with Paramount+ here today.
Amazon Prime Video: Add Paramount+ to your existing subscription
Already have an Amazon Prime Video account? Simply add Paramount+ to your current subscription to watch all the CBS-aired NFL games in addition to Paramount+ originals. The same prices from above apply, depending on which tier you choose. Not sure which is best for you? Don’t worry. Both options come with a free seven-day trial that can help you decide.
Watch the Patriots-Dolphins game on Amazon Prime Video.
Fubo: Watch the Patriots-Dolphins game for free
Looking for an inexpensive way to watch football? Fubo could be the best way to do so. The live TV streamer is currently offering a seven-day free trial and $30 off of your first month’s subscription. Once subscribed, you’ll gain access to all of their live sporting events immediately. And there will be a lot to choose from. Not only does Fubo come with access to NFL games airing on your local CBS channel, it also includes Fox Sunday NFC games, “Sunday Night Football” on NBC, “Monday Night Football” on ABC and ESPN and all of the games that air on the NFL Network. So don’t wait.
Get started with Fubo online now.
How to watch the Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears NFL game today: Livestream options, more
How to watch the Detroit Lions vs. Indianapolis Colts NFL game today: Livestream options, more
How to watch the New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins NFL game today: Livestream options, more
How to watch the Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears NFL game today: Livestream options, more
How to watch the Detroit Lions vs. Indianapolis Colts NFL game today: Livestream options, more