Building Child Care for a Better Future Act | ChamberLight
Bills · HR 2595
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 2595Families
Building Child Care for a Better Future Act
INTRO APR 2· LAST ACTION APR 2
READING
26MIN
COSPONSORS
26
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-written
This bill matters to voters because it proposes a massive, ongoing federal investment in child care, addressing issues that many families face daily. Child care costs have risen significantly, often rivaling or exceeding housing expenses, making it a major financial burden for working families. Many areas also suffer from a shortage of available child care slots, particularly for infants and toddlers, or a lack of high-quality options.
If this bill becomes law, it could lead to more affordable and accessible child care, helping parents return to or remain in the workforce, which in turn boosts local economies. It could also improve the safety and educational quality of child care settings by supporting better-trained staff and improved facilities. If it doesn't pass, these challenges of high costs, limited availability, and workforce shortages in the child care sector are likely to continue or worsen, leaving families to grapple with an increasingly strained system.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extracted
PROVISION 01
Appropriates $20 billion for child care grants in fiscal year 2026, with annual increases tied to inflation (Consumer Price Index) for subsequent years.
This establishes a substantial and growing source of dedicated federal funding for child care, aiming to address long-standing underfunding.
PROVISION 02
Reserves specific percentages of the total appropriation for grants to Indian tribes, tribal organizations (5%), and U.S. territories (4%).
This ensures that specific underserved communities receive direct funding to address their unique child care needs.
PROVISION 03
Requires funds to be integrated into the existing Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) program and subject to its requirements and limitations.
This ensures the new funding is used within an established framework for child care quality and safety standards.
PROVISION 04
Updates the calculation of the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) for states, removing an outdated reference to 1995 levels.
This change allows states to receive federal matching funds based on current economic conditions, potentially increasing their share of federal support.
This bill matters to voters because it proposes a massive, ongoing federal investment in child care, addressing issues that many families face daily. Child care costs have risen significantly, often rivaling or exceeding housing expenses, making it a major financial burden for working families. Many areas also suffer from a shortage of available child care slots, particularly for infants and toddlers, or a lack of high-quality options.
If this bill becomes law, it could lead to more affordable and accessible child care, helping parents return to or remain in the workforce, which in turn boosts local economies. It could also improve the safety and educational quality of child care settings by supporting better-trained staff and improved facilities. If it doesn't pass, these challenges of high costs, limited availability, and workforce shortages in the child care sector are likely to continue or worsen, leaving families to grapple with an increasingly strained system.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Appropriates $20 billion for child care grants in fiscal year 2026, with annual increases tied to inflation (Consumer Price Index) for subsequent years.
This establishes a substantial and growing source of dedicated federal funding for child care, aiming to address long-standing underfunding.
med
Reserves specific percentages of the total appropriation for grants to Indian tribes, tribal organizations (5%), and U.S. territories (4%).
This ensures that specific underserved communities receive direct funding to address their unique child care needs.
high
Requires funds to be integrated into the existing Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) program and subject to its requirements and limitations.
This ensures the new funding is used within an established framework for child care quality and safety standards.
med
Updates the calculation of the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) for states, removing an outdated reference to 1995 levels.
This change allows states to receive federal matching funds based on current economic conditions, potentially increasing their share of federal support.
Child Care Entitlement to States (part A of title IV of the Social Security Act)
mandatory
Fiscal Year 2026
The greater of the previous year's appropriation or the previous year's appropriation increased by the Consumer Price Index
Child Care Entitlement to States (part A of title IV of the Social Security Act)
mandatory
Each fiscal year after fiscal year 2026
GLOSSARY
AI-written
Child Care Entitlement to States
A federal program providing funds to states, territories, and Indian tribes to help low-income families pay for child care, which this bill significantly expands.
Social Security Act
A foundational federal law that establishes many social welfare programs, including parts that deal with child care funding.
Appropriation
Money set aside by Congress for a specific purpose. In this case, it's a direct, ongoing allocation of funds rather than just permission to spend.
Consumer Price Index (CPI)
A measure of the average change over time in the prices paid by urban consumers for a market basket of consumer goods and services, used here to adjust future funding amounts for inflation.
Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (CCDBG)
The primary federal law providing child care assistance to low-income families and improving the quality of child care services.
Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP)
The percentage of Medicaid program costs that the federal government pays to states, used in this bill as a component in determining how much federal matching funds states receive for child care.
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTS
APR 2, 25
Introduced in House
INTROREFERRAL
APR 2, 25
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
