WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) delivered a speech on the Senate floor this week in support of her Child Care Availability and Affordability Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at addressing the nation’s ongoing child care challenges. Her remarks emphasized broad and growing support for the legislation, both among lawmakers and the American public.
The bill, which Senator Britt introduced alongside Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.), proposes updates to three longstanding federal tax credits—the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC), the Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP), and the Employer-Provided Child Care Tax Credit (45F). These updates are designed to better reflect current economic conditions and make child care more accessible and affordable for working families.
“More and more colleagues have joined the Child Care Availability and Affordability Act,” Senator Britt stated. “Supporters are both Republicans and Democrats—they’re parents and grandparents—who understand how incredibly difficult it is to find affordable, high-quality, reliable childcare.”
Citing new polling data, Senator Britt highlighted that 81% of Americans believe child care affordability is a concern that affects everyone, regardless of whether they have children. The survey also showed that 72% of Republicans, 70% of independents, and 90% of Democrats support increased federal funding for child care.
Britt pointed to the economic implications of the child care shortage, referencing estimates that the U.S. economy loses $122 billion annually due to a lack of accessible child care. She argued that modernizing tax credits could help working parents, especially those with lower incomes, return to the workforce and reduce dependency on government assistance.
“This issue cuts across different demographics and party lines,” Britt said. “It is a struggle that Congress absolutely should address.”
The proposed legislation has attracted a diverse coalition of supporters in the Senate. In addition to Britt and Kaine, co-sponsors include Senators Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), John Curtis (R-Utah), Angus King (I-Maine), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Dave McCormick (R-Pa.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), and Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.).
Britt concluded her remarks with a direct appeal to her Republican colleagues, stating, “This is exactly the kind of pro-family, pro-Main Street, pro-worker legislation that has the ability to both transform our economy and support families.”
The Child Care Availability and Affordability Act continues to gain traction as lawmakers seek solutions to one of the most pressing issues facing working families today.
