Rep. Panetta’s Bill to Support Early Childhood Educators Passes House

Washington, D.C. - United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) announced that the House of Representatives unanimously passed his bipartisan, bicameral Supporting Early-Childhood Educators' Deductions (SEED) Act. Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-11), Maggie Goodlander (NH-02), and David Valadao (CA-22) co-lead this legislation, which now heads to the Senate for consideration.

Research shows that educators spend an average of $860 annually on supplies for their students. Yet, under current law, early childhood educators cannot deduct those out-of-pocket expenses. The SEED Act would correct this issue and provide tax relief to the teachers working with America's youngest learners.

The SEED Act would expand the above-the-line $300 educator expense deduction, established for K-12 teachers in 2002, to also include pre-K and early childhood educators. This deduction helps offset the hundreds of dollars teachers spend out of their own pockets each year on classroom supplies, books, and learning materials.

"Early childhood educators often reach deep into their own pockets to cover the cost of classroom materials for their students," said Rep. Panetta. "The SEED Act would allow pre-K teachers to claim the same tax deduction for those costs that is already available to those who teach K-12. My bipartisan legislation would ensure dedicated pre-K educators have the tools they need to help our children succeed. The House passage of the SEED Act is an important step, and I look forward to the work ahead to ensure that our bipartisan, bicameral legislation is signed into law."

"Early childhood educators are teachers in every sense of the word, and today the House took bipartisan action to treat them that way," said Rep. Fitzpatrick. "In working with early childhood educators across our community, I have seen the time, care, and dedication they pour into their classrooms, and the personal resources they invest to make sure children have what they need to learn and grow. To give every child a strong foundation, we must make sure the educators helping build that foundation have the support they need, and that is exactly what our effort is about: correcting an unfair gap, supporting the educators who have earned it, and investing in children during the years that matter most. Now the Senate should join us in standing with the teachers of our nation and getting this bill across the finish line."

"Teaching is the ultimate act of optimism and safeguard of our democracy. America's early childhood educators pour their hearts into their work, and far too often, their own money, just to do their jobs," said Rep. Goodlander. "These educators deserve the same tax deduction other teachers get, and our commonsense, bipartisan bill will make that happen. Time to right this wrong and get our bill signed into law."

"Central Valley families know how important a strong start is for every child, and that begins in the classroom," said Rep. Valadao. "Teachers spend on average $860 per year on classroom supplies to ensure their students can succeed, but while K-12 educators can claim the educator expense deduction, those teaching Pre-K and younger cannot. I'm proud to see the House pass this bipartisan bill to help early childhood educators cover classroom costs, and I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues to get it signed into law."

The SEED Act is supported by a broad coalition of education and child advocacy organizations, including the Center for American Progress, the American Federation of Teachers, Teach For America, the First Five Years Fund, and Trying Together.

The bill previously became the first Democrat-led standalone bill to receive a markup in the Committee on Ways and Means.

Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Susan Collins (R-ME) have introduced companion legislation in the U.S. Senate.

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