FY27 Early Learning and Child Care ‘Dear Colleague’ Letters

The annual appropriations process is an important time for lawmakers to determine their priorities for the next fiscal year. Congress uses this process to allocate funding for federal programs, activities and priorities. For the past several years, amid competing priorities and limited funds, federal early learning and care programs have seen bipartisan support through the annual Congressional appropriations process.

On Capitol Hill, “Dear Colleague” letters are a key way for lawmakers to convey and generate support for these programs among their colleagues. Lawmakers collaborate to show appropriators the breadth and depth of support on Capitol Hill, and often make specific requests related to program funding levels.

Here are the various Dear Colleague letters that are currently being circulated related to the federal early learning and care programs:

Senate

• Senate Democratic Dear Colleague Letter Supporting Funding for Child Care and Early Learning Programs in FY2027
  • Led by Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI)
  • Deadline to Sign: April 20th
  • 42 total signers
• Senate Democratic Dear Colleague Letter Supporting Funding for CCAMPIS in FY2027
  • Led by Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)
  • Deadline to Sign: April 17th EOD
  • 29 total signers
• Senate Dear Colleague Letter Supporting Funding for Head Start in FY2027
  • Led by Senators Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Roger Marshall (R-KS)
  • Deadline to Sign: April 20th
  • 22 Total Signers

House

• House Democratic Dear Colleague Letter Supporting Funding for Head Start in FY2027
  • Led by Representative Jahana Hayes (D-CT)
  • Deadline to Sign: March 25th
  • 189 total signers
• House Republican Dear Colleague Letter Supporting Funding for Head Start in FY2027
  • Led by Representative Pete Stauber (R-MN)
  • Deadline to Sign: March 26th
  • 43 total signers
• House Democratic Dear Colleague Letter Supporting Funding for CCDBG in FY2027
  • Led by Representative Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR)
  • Deadline to Sign: March 20th
  • 156 total signers
• House Republican Dear Colleague Letter Supporting Funding for CCDBG in FY2027
  • Led by Representative Burgess Owens (R-UT)
  • Deadline to Sign: March 25th
  • 40 total signers
• House Democratic Dear Colleague Letter Supporting Funding for CCAMPIS in FY2027
  • Led by  Representative Bill Foster (D-IL)
  • Deadline to Sign: March 25^th
  • 76 total signers
• House Bipartisan Dear Colleague Letter Supporting Funding for Preschool Development Grants Birth through Five (PDG B-5) in FY2027
  • Led by Representatives Joaquin Castro (D-TX) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA)
  • Deadline to Sign: March 25th
  • 96 total signers

Learn more:

• More on these letters: Lawmakers Show Record Support for Child Care and Early Learning Programs
• FY27 Community Letter
• FY27 Appropriations Capsule Collection