The Issues

There are more than 85 million mothers in the United States—and they all lack basic support. There is no national paid family leave policy. Childcare is inaccessible and unaffordable. Maternal mortality is a national emergency. But despite being underserved by America’s laws, systems, and culture, and underrepresented in leadership, mothers control the voting and spending power in the U.S.

everyday mothers

Chamber of Mothers is the nonpartisan nonprofit that challenges the uniquely American misconception that motherhood is an individual problem to be solved. We are a powerful, united collective of everyday mothers from every corner of America, bringing our lived experiences, perspectives, and strengths to one shared mission: building a better future for mothers and families. We advocate for what we know mothers and families need:

  • Paid family leave
  • Affordable childcare
  • Improved maternal health
Chamber of Mothers Legislative Agenda

Paid Family & Medical Leave

We can all agree that:

  • Human dignity should inform all policy and budget priorities;
  • The first five years of a child’s life – especially the first few months – are critical; and
  • Babies being at home with their parents during these most pivotal months is beneficial to their development and overall well-being. 

Yet, the U.S. is the only wealthy country – and one of only nine countries in the world – without national paid family and medical leave. And only 27 percent of our civilian workers have access to paid family leave, and only four in 10 have short-term disability insurance if they are seriously ill or injured. This means millions of Americans, including postpartum mothers, are facing impossible choices between earning a paycheck and caring for their families. 

Research has shown that paid leave improves both maternal and infant health and decreases rates of infant mortality. However, the reality is that most families cannot afford to stay home from work. Seventy-four percent of mothers would have to use up their cash savings if they took eight weeks of unpaid maternity leave, and more than half of Americans say they don’t have enough money in savings to survive three months. 

The U.S. would add $775 billion to its GDP per year if women participated in the labor force at rates similar to those in comparable countries with more robust work-family policies. Research also shows that paid leave policies contribute to reduced turnover and increased employee engagement and loyalty, leading to significant employer cost savings. 

Join us as we urge Congress to enact a national paid family and medical leave policy that leads to healthier families and stronger communities.

Paid Leave Legislative Agenda

Child Care

We can all agree that:

  • Human dignity should inform all policy and budget priorities;
  • All children deserve safe, reliable, quality child care; and 
  • Families should be able to choose the child care structure that works best for them.

Yet, fifty-one percent of Americans, and 60% of those living in rural communities, do not have child care providers nearby, and nearly three-quarters of working parents have experienced challenges with accessing child care. This is especially true for families who have children with disabilities and parents who work non-traditional hours, such as police officers and nurses. 

Even when child care providers are available, the high costs and concerns over quality create significant barriers for parents. In 2023, the national average price of child care was $11,582. For married couples, this equates to 10% of their median income and more 32% of a single parent’s median income. These barriers force parents, mostly women, out of the workforce, resulting in $122 billion in lost revenue, earnings, and productivity.

Join us as we urge Congress to work toward solutions that provide families with access to high-quality, safe, and affordable care for their children. 

Child Care Legislative Agenda

Maternal Health

We can all agree that: 

  • Human dignity should inform all policy and budget priorities;
  • The prenatal and postpartum periods are the most vulnerable times of a woman’s and a child’s life; 
  • All mothers and babies are deserving of the highest quality healthcare; and 
  • No child should lose their mother to a preventable death. 

Yet, the U.S. has the highest maternal death rate of any high-income country and more than 80 percent of these deaths are preventable, according to the CDC.  

American women across the entire country, in both rural and urban settings, and of all religious, racial, and ethnic backgrounds, are impacted by the maternal health crisis. Over the last 20 years, maternal death rates have tripled in the South and quintupled in the Midwest, and black and Indigenous women are dying at rates of 2 to 3 times that of white women.

More than 35% of U.S. counties are considered maternity care deserts. This means that in 1,104 counties, there is not a single birthing facility or obstetric clinician. Women living in maternity care deserts and counties with low access to care have poorer health before pregnancy, receive less prenatal care, and experience higher rates of preterm birth.
Join us as we call on Congress to prioritize improving maternal and infant health outcomes in America.

Maternal Health Legislative Agenda