King Co-Sponsoring Bipartisan Legislation to Address Shortage of Affordable Child Care

February 15, 2023
WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Senator Angus King has joined bipartisan legislation to address the nationwide shortage of affordable child care,which is affecting participation in the workforce. TheChild Care Workforce and Facilities Actwould provide competitive grants for states to train child care workers and build or renovate child care facilities. The legislation comes asfamilies across the country struggle to access available child care, with rural communities increasingly becoming “child care deserts” due to the noticeable decline in the number of child care providers.
“Affordable childcare is one of the most pressing needs for working parents, children, and small businesses looking for workers, and yet, too many families struggle to find childcare in their own communities,”said Senator Angus King.“The bipartisanChild Care Workforce and Facilities Actwill create a much-needed federal grant program to invest in local child care centers and addresses the serious shortage. This isn’t just a social issue, it’s an economic one too. When families can access childcare, small businesses thrive with workers from the local community, parents are able to pursue their careers, and our children are provided with the attention and care they need to thrive.”
TheChild Care Workforce and Facilities Actwould:
The legislation is cosponsored by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA). TheChild Care Workforce and Facilities Acthas also been endorsed by Save the Children and Children’s Institute.
Last month, Kingvisited the University of Maine at Farmington’s (UMF) Child Care and Early Education Centerto see how the school is using $2 million in federal funding to renovate and expand the facility and operations. The center received $1 million from theAmerican Rescue Planand $1 million inCongressionally-Directed Spendingsecured by Senator Susan Collins and supported by Senator King. During the visit, Senator King met with UMF leaders, students, and parents to discuss the importance of childcare and a childcare workforce to Franklin County, the success of the University’s programs, and how the new funds are helping these important efforts.
Senator King has long worked to expand access to child care and reduce the workforce shortage in the critical sector. Hesecured millionsto improve child care services in the 2022 and 2023 omnibus appropriations bills, and recentlyworked to authorizethe planning and development of a new child development center at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.

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