Statement: House Lawmakers Introduce Bipartisan Child Care Modernization Act to Strengthen Child Care Options for Working Families

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Representatives Ryan Mackenzie (R-PA), Susie Lee (D-NV), Ashley Hinson (R-IA), and Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-MI) today introduced the Child Care Modernization Act, bicameral, bipartisan legislation designed to strengthen the federal Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) program and better support the child care needs of working families across the country today. An identical bill was introduced last year in the Senate by Senators Deb Fischer (R-NE), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), and Susan Collins (R-ME).

The Child Care Modernization Act would help expand access to affordable, quality child care while giving states greater flexibility to address the unique needs of their communities. The legislation focuses on targeted efforts to increase child care supply and capacity, support child care providers, and improve access for working families struggling with the high cost of care.

For the First Five Things to Know About the Child Care Modernization Act, click here: 

First Five Years Fund Executive Director Sarah Rittling praised the legislation and the bipartisan leadership behind it.

“Child care continues to shape the daily decisions of working families, influencing when and where parents can work and how they plan for the future,” said Sarah Rittling, Executive Director of First Five Years Fund. “The Child Care Modernization Act provides an important opportunity to strengthen and sustain the child care sector while helping states better address child care needs in real time. Families can’t press pause on their child care needs, and this legislation helps expand child care options and respond to families’ needs today. We’re so grateful to Representatives Ryan Mackenzie, Susie Lee, Ashley Hinson, and Kristen McDonald Rivet for their bipartisan leadership and commitment to working together to expand child care options for families.”

Hear from the lawmakers:

“Working families in the Lehigh Valley and the Poconos count on access to high-quality, affordable child care here in our community,” said Congressman Ryan Mackenzie (R-PA). “After childcare costs skyrocketed by 29% from 2020-2024, it’s more important than ever that we deliver the relief and reform that working families need to thrive. By bringing federal childcare support in line with the modern needs of parents and providers, the bipartisan Child Care Modernization Act will help to improve access, affordability, and quality for everyone.”

“Parents are doing everything right and still struggling to find and afford child care,” said Congresswoman McDonald Rivet (D-MI). “This bill helps by cutting red tape, supporting child care providers, and giving families more choices. It won’t solve the whole problem, but it’s a step in the right direction. We need to keep pushing for the investments and reforms that working families deserve.”

“Childcare remains one of the biggest household expenses for families in Iowa and across the country. After more than a decade without reauthorization, the federal government’s primary child care program simply isn’t equipped to meet the needs of our families. That’s why I helped introduce bipartisan legislation to expand access to affordable, quality childcare and ensure every working family can access quality, affordable childcare. This bill tackles barriers that make it harder to open and grow childcare facilities, creating more options for parents and strengthening our workforce. Family is at the heart of everything I do, and I’ll keep fighting to make it easier to raise one,” said Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-IA).  

“It’s no secret how ridiculously expensive child care is in Nevada. Three out of four kids in our state do not have access to a licensed child care provider — that’s unacceptable. Parents shouldn’t need to choose between having a full-time job or taking care of their kids,” said Congresswoman Susie Lee (D-NV). “This isn’t a red or blue issue. I’m proud to introduce the bipartisan Child Care Modernization Act to address this crisis by helping child care providers expand their reach and allowing more families in our community to access the high-quality child care they need.”

About the Bill: 

The legislation would create child care supply and facilities grants to help providers expand and improve care options, including funding for the renovation, repair, and construction of child care facilities. The bill would also move the program towards using more accurate cost estimation models for provider reimbursement rates under CCDBG, helping states better align payments with the true cost of providing quality care.

Additionally, the legislation maintains state flexibility through a mixed-delivery approach that supports a variety of child care settings, including licensed child care centers, home-based providers, and faith-based programs. It also includes additional technical assistance for in-home and rural child care providers and seeks to reduce regulatory barriers that can limit home-based care options in rural communities.

Under the proposal, states would also have the flexibility to expand eligibility and serve more working families who may currently struggle with the cost of child care but do not qualify for assistance today.

Endorsed by: Afterschool Alliance, Alliance of New York State YMCAs, Buffett Early Childhood Institute, Child Care Aware of America, Children First PA, Early Care and Education Consortium (ECEC), Executives Partnering to Invest in Children (EPIC), Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, First Five Nebraska, First Five Years Fund, Groundwork Ohio, Home Grown, Independent Restaurant Coalition, KinderCare Learning Companies, Learning Care Group, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF), Moms First, Michigan’s Children, Mission Readiness, National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), National Association of Counties (NACo), National Head Start Association (NHSA), National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), National Child Care Association, National Children’s Facilities Network, National Conference of State Legislatures, Ready Nation, Save the Children, SCAN Iowa, Start Early, Tootris, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, YMCA of the USA, and Zero to Five Montana.