Jefferson Reporter

U.S. Senators Katie Britt (R-Ala.) and Tim Kaine (D-Va.), a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, have introduced two pieces of legislation aimed at making child care more affordable and accessible. The Child Care Availability and Affordability Act and the Child Care Workforce Act form a bipartisan proposal to strengthen existing tax credits to lower child care costs and increase the supply of child care providers.

"Accessing and affording childcare is a costly challenge all too familiar to families across Alabama and our entire nation," said Britt. "This growing crisis has resulted in more and more parents, especially mothers, being forced to leave the workforce. I’m proud to join Senator Kaine in leading this bipartisan legislation to put parents back in the driver’s seat by empowering and equipping hardworking Americans to determine the best path for their family."

Kaine added, "I’ve heard from Virginians in every corner of the Commonwealth about how difficult it is to find affordable child care, and how low wages are driving dedicated child care workers out of a field they love. This crisis is holding our families, workers, and economy back, and I’m proud to be introducing the boldest bipartisan proposal to tackle it head on."

The increasing cost of child care over the last three decades—up by 220%—has forced many families into difficult decisions, with more than half living in child care deserts. Meanwhile, low wages are pushing child care workers out of their profession. This situation has been further exacerbated by the pandemic, resulting in significant economic losses estimated at $122 billion annually.

The Child Care Availability and Affordability Act aims to make child care more affordable by enhancing tax credits. The Child Care Workforce Act proposes establishing a competitive grant program for states, localities, Tribes, and Tribal organizations interested in adopting or expanding pay supplement programs for child care workers.

The two bills fall under different Senate committees due to their distinct focuses: one involves changes to existing tax credits under the Senate Finance Committee's jurisdiction while the other authorizes a new pilot program within the Senate HELP Committee's jurisdiction.

Britt has also introduced other family-supportive measures such as the More Opportunities for Moms to Succeed (MOMS) Act. She has co-sponsored various acts including the Childcare Worker Opportunity Act, NIH IMPROVE Act, and Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act. Additionally, she is working on legislation addressing mental health issues among youth exacerbated by social media through initiatives like the Youth Mental Health Research Act and Kids Off Social Media Act.