When the U.S. Nearly Had Universal Child Care

By Carla Murphy Aug 06, 2014

Yesterday marks the 20th anniversary of a federal law that says, "having a baby shouldn’t cost you your job or your health insurance." Meditate on Ellen Bravo’s words for a minute. Then consider that the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), which offers 12 weeks unpaid leave, still doesn’t go far enough for most families. But advocates appear hopeful that could soon change. After a near 50-year lull, according to an informative history by Think Progress’ Bryce Covert, a new top-level conversation around the "family friendly" workplace and universal childcare is once again gaining steam–which is good news for all families but in particular single parents and working class families of color. 

Read up on paid leave bills passing in states across the country, where the FMLA falls short, and this 2013 TNR piece on how Pat Buchanan helped kill a 1970s plan to implement national daycare

What one piece of national legislation would do the most to help single parents or families of color?

(h/t Huffington Post)