Lawmakers Show Record Support for Child Care and Early Learning Programs

Each year, Members of Congress submit letters to leaders of the House Appropriations Committee calling for robust funding for child care and early learning programs. This year, support for the programs reached new heights. The Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) saw the highest level of backing ever from both Democrats and Republicans, and every letter garnered more signers than ever before. With child care costs exceeding $1,000 a month, these programs remain critical to keeping care affordable for working families.

Highlights: 

Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG)

• Republican CCDBG letter, led by Rep. Burgess Owens (R-UT): Had the highest number of signatories calling for robust funding ever (40).
• Democratic CCDBG letter, led by Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR): Had 156 signers—the highest level of Democratic support ever.

Head Start Sees Unprecedented Level of Support

• Republican Head Start letter, led by Rep. Pete Stauber (R-MN): Had 43 total signers—more than in the last five years.
• Democratic Head Start letter, led by Rep. Jahana Hayes (D-CT): Had 189 total signers—the highest level of support ever for a Democratic Head Start letter. 

Bipartisan Preschool Development Grants Letter

• Led by Reps. Joaquin Castro (D-TX) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA): 96 total signers—the highest number of signers to date.

What This Means: In a Washington that feels more polarized than ever, these numbers show that child care is a rare issue that unites lawmakers across the aisle—and that support for these programs is growing stronger and broader than ever before.

Why It Matters: Child care is one of the largest and most unavoidable expenses for families with young children. Rising costs directly affect whether parents can work, how many hours they can work, and even whether it makes financial sense to have another child. Federal early learning programs like CCDBG and Head Start not only make care more affordable, they strengthen families, support child development, and fuel the broader economy. In March, First Five Years Fund (FFYF) led a coalition of nearly 90 national early education advocacy organizations in calling for increased funding for federal early learning and care programs.