Klobuchar, Curtis Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Support Child Care Providers

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and John Curtis (R-UT) introduced the bipartisan Convening Operations Assistance for Childcare Heroes (COACH) Actin the Senate.

This bipartisan bill aims to support child care providers by directing the Small Business Administration (SBA) to create and maintain an up-to-date resource guide specifically for small child care businesses, providing them with the necessary tools to establish and sustain their operations.

Companion legislation in the House of Representatives was introduced by Representatives Nikema Williams (D-GA), Pete Stauber (R-MN), and Judy Chu (D-CA).

"When we invest in child care, we invest in our future,"said Klobuchar. "Our bipartisan legislation will give child care providers resources to support their businesses and bolster their workforce, while making quality child care more affordable for working families and allowing more parents to enter the workforce. It's a win-win."

"In Utah, we believe in investing in the next generation and that starts with making sure families have access to high-quality, affordable childcare,"said Curtis. "The COACH Act will help small childcare providers better serve hardworking parents in their communities and will give families more options to access the care they need."

"Childcare is infrastructure - and childcare professionals, many of whom are women of color, are essential workers. The COACH Act will make childcare more accessible to working families while delivering resources to hardworking childcare providers to help their businesses thrive," said Williams. "As a working mama, I know that childcare is a must for parents who need to work with the confidence that their children are receiving the best care possible. As working families continue to face rising costs, we must do everything in our power to help parents get ahead of the curve and support the small businesses that best support them."

"I am proud to co-lead the bipartisan, bicameral COACH Act with Rep. Williams. This bill empowers small child care providers with essential SBA resources on operations, finances, and compliance, supporting families and jobs in Minnesota and nationwide," said Stauber.

"As our nation faces a childcare crisis, I am proud to join Rep. Williams in reintroducing the COACH Act, to increase our investment in our childcare providers. By giving our nation's small childcare businesses the tools and support they need to succeed, this bill will help bolster the childcare workforce and close the growing gap in childcare availability across America. Parents should be able to go to work knowing their children are safe, learning, and thriving, and the COACH Act will help ensure that more families can access reliable, high-quality childcare,"said Chu.

Organizations including First Five Years Fund, Main Street Alliance, Save the Children, and Small Business Majority support the COACH Act.

"Our research shows that small businesses are struggling to access affordable childcare, a growing concern that's making it increasingly difficult for small businesses to thrive. We support legislation that would provide valuable resources to entrepreneurs and would help alleviate a problem plaguing small businesses throughout the United States,"said John Arensmeyer, Small Business Majority Founder and CEO.

"Our research shows that small businesses are struggling to access affordable childcare, a growing concern that's making it increasingly difficult for small businesses to thrive. We support legislation that would provide valuable resources to entrepreneurs and would help alleviate a problem plaguing small businesses throughout the United States,"said Shawn Phetteplace, National Campaigns Director of Main Street Alliance.

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