Shaheen, King, Klobuchar Push Legislation to Make Child Care More Affordable for Working Families

**Senators’ legislation seeks to strengthen the child care workforce to make services more accessible for working families** (Washington, DC) – U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Angus King (I-ME) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) this week introduced legislation that would make child care more affordable and accessible for working families by reforming the federal tax code. The Right Start Child Care and Education Act would strengthen the child care workforce by creating a new tax credit for child care professionals with college degrees. “New Hampshire’s shortage of affordable child care options has placed an enormous burden on families and providers alike. Unfortunately, it’s a persistent and worsening trend we’re seeing across the country,” said Senator Shaheen. “The Right Start Child Care and Education Act would make important reforms to our tax code to promote and increase access to high-quality child care by supporting early education professionals, ensuring affordable child care options are available for families everywhere.” "For too many working parents in Maine, finding affordable childcare is the difference between being able to stay in the workforce or not – and it begins with a shortage of providers,” said Senator King. “The Right Start Child Care and Education Act recognizes that recruiting and retaining childcare providers is one of the smartest investments we can make in Maine families and the Maine economy, so it offers college graduates an additional financial incentive to entering the workforce.” “For far too many families, the struggle to find high-quality, affordable child care serves as a barrier to children’s early development and to parents entering the workforce. This legislation will help recruit and retain more child care professionals, to help families in all parts of the country afford and access the child care they need,” said Senator Klobuchar. Specifically, the Right Start Child Care and Education Act would create a new tax credit for child care professionals with relevant educational degrees. The legislation would provide tax credits of $1,500 to $4,000 depending on the level of degree. Click HERE to view the full bill text. Senator Shaheen has been a leader in advocating for more accessible and affordable child care. Earlier this year, Shaheen secured key priorities in the bipartisan Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and Related Agencies Appropriations bill , including $8.8 billion for the Child Care and Development Block Grant. Shaheen also stands strongly opposed to the Trump Administration’s attacks on Head Start, and has introduced legislation to respond to the nation’s child care shortage, including her signature, bipartisan Expanding Child Care for Military Families Act . ###