May 22, 2025

New Dems Host Care Economy Roundtable in Wilmington, DE on Third Stop of “New Dems on the Road” Tour

Today, the New Democrat Coalition made the third stop on its New Dems on the Road Tour, an initiative spearheaded by Vice Chair for Policy Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) to get New Dem Members out of DC to hear from American workers, businesses, industry experts, nongovernmental organizations and local leaders about how to improve policy in Washington. 

New Dem Care Economy Task Force Chair Sarah McBride (DE-AL) hosted House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-05) and Economic Growth & Cost of Living Working Group Chair Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06) and in her district for a care economy roundtable discussion with medical professionals, advocates, non-profit leaders, labor representatives, and care providers.

Attendees talked through some of the biggest challenges facing the care economy, and discussed strategies for building the bipartisan support needed to advance nationwide Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) reforms and expand access to high-quality and affordable childcare and elder care.

“Every family, in every zip code, deserves access to affordable child care, elder care, and paid leave—and today’s conversation made clear that the need is urgent, the solutions are real, and the time to act is now,” said Task Force Chair Sarah McBride. “These investments don’t just support families—they strengthen our economy and stabilize our communities. As Chair of the New Dem Care Economy Task Force, I’m committed to working with my colleagues in Congress to build on Delaware’s leadership and advance comprehensive, nationwide policies that uplift caregivers and working families. I’m grateful to Whip Clark and Rep. Houlahan for joining me for this important conversation.”

"America runs on child care — it enables kids to thrive, parents to work, and our economy to grow. But the reality is that too many families struggle to find and afford care. We can solve this crisis by investing in our child care system, providing paid family leave, and putting the needs of working families ahead of the billionaire class," said Democratic Whip Katherine Clark. "I am grateful for the opportunity to join Reps. McBride and Houlahan for this important community conversation. House Democrats stand together in the fight to lower the costs for families and ensure everyone has the resources they need to get ahead."

"I am thrilled to join my friend Rep. McBride in discussing a topic near and dear to me and so many Americans: access to child care and paid leave,” said Working Group Chair Chrissy Houlahan. “Neighboring Delaware has led the charge in innovative solutions, and I hope Pennsylvania follows soon. Thanks to New Dems for highlighting the importance of the care economy and bringing us together to find solutions for working families here and across the country."

Full list of roundtable attendees:
  • Democratic Whip Katherine Clark
  • Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06)
  • Rep. Sarah McBride (DE-AL)
  • Delaware Lt. Governor Kyle Evans Gay
  • First Lady of Delaware Lauren Meyer
  • Pennsylvania State Senator Maria Collett (12th District)
  • Jan White, Small Business Owner, New Castle County Chamber of Commerce 
  • Chris Otto, Executive Director, Delaware Nurses Association
  • Joe Diagle, CEO, Mallard Financial Partners, Inc.
  • Shawn Colleran, Vice President, Delaware Association of Letter Carriers
  • Dr. Margaret Chou, Obstetrician, Nemours & ChristianaCare
  • Liz Richards, Executive Director, Delaware Cares                
  • Dr. Melanie Thomas Price, CEO, A Leap of Faith Child Development Center, Inc
  • Kirsten Olson, CEO, Children & Families First
  • Dr. Dannae Orisomolade, Early Childhood Academic Initiatives Officer, Delaware State University
  • Julie Bieber, Director of Operations, Kingswood Community Center
  • Jamie Schneider, Owner, Educational Enrichment Center DE
  • Alisa Morkides, Owner, Brew Haha
  • Dab O’Brien, Children’s First PA
Background

Through New Dems on the Road, New Dem Members will hold conversations across the country to hear from the American people, with each meeting organized under the policy goals of one of the Coalition’s nine Working Groups. New Dems will meet with local leaders, stakeholders, small business owners, industry experts, and more to hear about the cost of President Trump’s chaos and what New Dems can do to fight back and make progress on the issues that really matter to the American people.

The first New Dems on the Road event was held on April 23rd in Phoenix, AZ, where New Dem Immigration and Border Security Working Group Members Reps. Greg Stanton (AZ-04) and Lou Correa (CA-46) held an immigration roundtable discussion with industry and union representatives, members of the Arizona business community, and DACA recipients.

The second New Dems on the Road event was held on May 9th in Metro East, IL, where Vice Chair Nikki Budzinski hosted Environment, Climate, & Clean Energy Working Group Chair Scott Peters (CA-50) and Rep. Wesley Bell (MO-01) for a clean energy roundtable discussion with business owners, industry and union representatives, academic researchers, and utility service providers.

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