U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) joined U.S. Senators Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Patty Murray (D-WA) to help introduce the Child Care Stabilization Act to provide additional federal child care stabilization funding–which was provided in the American Rescue Plan–and ensure that child care providers can keep their doors open and continue serving children and families in every part of the country.

“During the pandemic, an unprecedented number of families from every corner of our state struggled to find affordable and reliable child care,” said Senator Shaheen. “Through the American Rescue Plan and annual government funding legislation, I’ve helped deliver support for child care programs in New Hampshire and throughout the country. I’m advocating for this bill which would ensure working families continue to have access to affordable child care.”

When the pandemic pushed the already-fragile child care sector to the brink of collapse, Democrats in Congress responded by delivering historic federal investments to save the sector and prevent families from losing their child care spots–including $24 billion in child care stabilization funding. The funding has made an enormous difference for Granite State families– allowing nearly 500 child care providers across NH to access relief funding that was used to preserve slots, stabilize tuition rates and keep child care accessible for working families. However, child care providers in New Hampshire and across the country are once again facing existential funding gaps that threaten dire consequences for families and our economy.

The Child Care Stabilization Act would provide $16 billion in federal funding each year for the next five years to continue the American Rescue Plan’s successful Child Care Stabilization Grant program. This investment would ensure child care providers continue to receive a stable and reliable source of funding to help them deliver high-quality and affordable child care for working families across the country.

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