Ernst Bill to Expand Child Care Access Advances

WASHINGTON – The Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship passed a bipartisan bill to increase the availability of child care for small business owners and working families.
TheSmall Business Child Care Investment Actled by Chair Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Senator Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) would allow non-profit child care providers, including religious organizations, to participate in the Small Business Administration (SBA) loan programs.
“One of the biggest pressures on working families is access to high-quality, affordable child care,”said Ernst.“By advancing this bill, we are one step closer to clearing the red tape and expanding options, especially in rural communities. Not only will it drive down costs for Iowans, but it will strengthen the workforce and make it easier for small businesses to hire and retain capable staff.”
“The lack of affordable, quality child care options is hurting hardworking Nevada families and forcing them to make tough financial choices,”said Rosen.“That’s why I’ve been working across the aisle to pass my bipartisan bill to help lower costs by increasing access to affordable child care in our state. This legislation will help nonprofits, community organizations, churches, synagogues, and others to set up or expand child care centers, and I’m glad to see it advance out of committee today.”
TheSmall Business Child Care Investment Actwould:
Background:
Ernst has been astrongadvocate forincreasingaccess to affordable, high-quality child care in Iowa.
On her annualRiver to River Tour, Ernst routinelyvisitschild carecenters to understand the needs of Iowans and bring their voices to Washington.
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