Republican and Democratic congressional leadership were on the verge of finalizing a comprehensive child care package when President Donald Trump undermined negotiations with an unguarded remark, according to the Washington Post.
At an Easter lunch April 1, Trump said, "We can't take care of day care," adding, "We're a big country, we have 50 states. We have all these other people, we're fighting wars. We can't take care of day care."
Trump's domestic spending package included $20 billion for Head Start and Child Care Development Block Grant programs —elements from a bipartisan bill by Senators Katie Boyd Britt and Tim Kaine.
The White House later removed the video and attempted damage control by claiming Trump referenced Minnesota child care fraud allegations.
Senator Kaine rejected the explanation, criticizing Trump for calling child care assistance "not possible" due to unnecessary wars.
Economists also note child care disruptions cost the economy $35-45 billion annually, causing families to lose $172 billion in productivity.
Watch the video below.