Reps. Mike Lawler (NY-17) and Salud Carbajal (CA-24), alongside Senators Katie Britt (R-AL) and Tim Kaine (D-VA), have introduced two pieces of legislation aimed at addressing the challenges faced by families in accessing affordable child care. The Child Care Availability and Affordability Act and the Child Care Workforce Act seek to enhance existing tax credits to reduce child care costs and increase the number of child care providers.
The rising cost of child care has become a significant issue for many families, with prices increasing by 263% over recent decades. This financial burden has forced families, particularly mothers, to make difficult decisions. More than half of all families live in areas where access to child care is limited, while workers in the sector struggle with low wages.
New polling conducted with First Five Years Fund indicates strong bipartisan support for increasing the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC). Congressman Mike Lawler emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating that expanding the tax credit would “help [families] achieve their financial goals” and provide better futures for their children.
Congressman Salud Carbajal highlighted the dual impact on families and businesses due to high child care costs and limited availability. He expressed pride in introducing legislation designed to modernize tax programs and strengthen the workforce.
Senator Katie Britt described the proposal as an investment in American families and small businesses, aiming to improve accessibility to quality child care. Senator Tim Kaine echoed these sentiments, noting that addressing this crisis could boost economic growth by enabling parents to return to work.
The introduction of these acts was supported by Congresswoman Sharice Davids (KS-03) and Congressman Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06). Davids stressed that modernizing tax incentives would ease financial burdens on parents, while Ciscomani noted his personal understanding of the challenges faced by families seeking affordable child care.
FFYF Executive Director Sarah Rittling praised the legislation for its potential to provide relief through refined tax credits and expanded access. The acts have garnered endorsements from numerous organizations, including American Federation of Teachers, Chamber of Progress, National Association for Family Child Care, among others.
Congressman Lawler represents New York’s 17th Congressional District, covering parts north of New York City.
