Release: Representative Ro Khanna’s Free Child Care for America Act Endorsed by Over 50 Childcare Groups Across the Country

Washington, DC - Representative Ro Khanna (CA-17), introduced the Free Child Care for America Act to begin building a universal child care system that works for families no matter how they choose to care for their children.

The Act creates three pathways for families. Families with children under age 6 and not yet in kindergarten can access free care at participating licensed child care providers if their income is at or below the greater of 200 percent of their State median income or $250,000. Parents with children under 3 and household incomes at or below 100 percent of State median income can instead receive $1,000 per month per child to stay home and provide care themselves. And families at or below 100 percent of State median income can have a family member, friend, or neighbor they trust paid to provide care, with payment rates designed to support a living wage.

Critically, the legislation does not simply give families more purchasing power it also builds the child care supply families need but cannot find today. Title I invests $78 billion annually to help meet the operating costs necessary for providers to operate sustainably, provide free care to eligible families, and raise child care worker pay to a local living wage. Dedicated Facilities, Home-Based Child Care, and Innovation Funds invest in new and existing facilities, help home-based providers grow, and develop and scale new models of care.

The Act also invests in the people who make child care possible. It establishes wage and benefit ladders, requires wage supplements sufficient to bring child care worker pay to an area living wage, invests in education and professional development so workers can build careers in child care, protects organizing rights, and gives States a pathway to establish collective bargaining rights for self-employed family child care providers and Family, Friend, and Neighbor caregivers.

Taken together, the Free Child Care for America Act addresses affordability, supply, and the child care workforce at the same time while giving families the freedom to choose the care arrangement that works for them.

The Free Child Care for America Act has been endorsed by over 50 groups across the country. To view the full list, click here.

"This legislation addresses the real needs of families in three ways: childcare is defined broadly to include family, neighbors, parents, and centers; childcare providers-who are often parents themselves-will be better paid, valuing care work as the essential career path it is; and all forms of childcare will be more affordable. The result is that, for all who qualify, providers make more money, parents keep more money because care is affordable, and parents get a real choice about who, how, and where their children are cared for. We're thrilled to see a policy that pulls two critical levers at once-making care affordable, and building up care work in flexible ways that support families' varying needs and stages. This is the kind of legislation America needs to solve its childcare crisis, and we throw our full support behind it as an organization," said Erin Erenberg, Chief Executive Officer, Chamber of Mothers.

"For too long, the millions of grandparents, aunts, uncles, and trusted neighbors who form the invisible backbone of our nation's child care system have been left completely out of the child care policy conversation. The Free Child Care for America Act is a historic step forward because it finally recognizes and invests in Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) care. By building a dedicated $5 billion annual program to support these essential caregivers with fair compensation, free training, and safety resources, this bill doesn't just lower costs for parents-it builds a child care system that meets families exactly where they are," said Natalie Renew, Home Grown Executive Director.

"The Childcare for America Act recognizes that America's child care crisis is both a cost crisis and an access crisis, and gives families the flexibility and a pathway to choose the solution that works best for them. For small businesses, these options can mean fewer employees forced to cut hours, leave the workforce, or turn down jobs because they cannot find or afford reliable care. By making child care more affordable and available while supporting the care economy, this bill would strengthen the workforce that small businesses depend on and help keep dollars circulating in local communities. Main Street Alliance is proud to support the Childcare for America Act as an important down payment on a child care system that works for families, workers, and small businesses alike," said Lauren Bealore, National Director of Policy & Programs, Main Street Alliance.

"Congressman Ro Khanna's Free Child Care for America Act recognizes that care giving is the foundation of a strong family. Strong families make strong communities. Expanding access to childcare gives every family the freedom to pursue opportunities knowing their children are supported and safe. And helps all of us thrive. Danny Mercer," said Vice President The National At-Home Dad Network."

"Child care is an affordability issue, a workforce issue, and an economic security issue. Here in Pennsylvania, child care shortages alone are costing our Commonwealth an estimated $6.65 billion every year in lost earnings, productivity, and revenue, while families struggle to find and afford care and providers struggle to keep classrooms open and pay the workers who care for our children what they deserve. The Pennsylvania Policy Center is proud to support the Free Child Care for America Act because families should not have to choose between earning a living and finding safe, quality care for their children. By lowering costs, investing in the child care workforce, expanding the supply of care, and recognizing that families need different options, from child care centers to trusted family caregivers to parents caring for their own young children, this legislation treats child care as the essential economic infrastructure it is," said Felicity A. Williams, Esq., Executive Director, Pennsylvania Policy Center.

"Rep. Khanna's Free Child Care For America Act sets a new standard for child care legislation. By offering parents a real choice to move between free high-quality licensed programs, trusted care provided by family members or close friends, and care from parents themselves, this bill supports parents with the freedom to raise their kids as they prefer while providing for their households. Doing so strengthens local communities and the national economy; all Americans benefit when our families and children have a strong start," said Elliot Haspel, child care policy expert and author of Raising a Nation: 10 Reasons Every American Has a Stake in Child Care for All.

"Too often, D.C. politicians offer little but the same tired answers to family policy questions. Rep. Khanna deserves immense credit for expanding the policy conversation to meet parents where they are and rethink how we might support families with young kids. There will always be disagreement on specifics, but the Child Care for America Act brings welcome energy and new thinking to the question of meaningfully expanding child care choices for parents from all walks of life," said Patrick T. Brown, Fellow, Ethics and Public Policy Center.

"The Free Child Care for America Act recognizes that high-quality child care facilities are the cornerstone of a strong child care ecosystem. By investing in the spaces where children learn, grow, and thrive, we can expand access, strengthen communities, and support families for generations to come," said the Executive Committee, The National Children's Facilities Network.

"The Child Care for America Act is an example of exactly the kind of real policy solutions we need to address the affordability crisis for working families. The impacts of the high cost of childcare and the low wages paid childcare providers affects all of our communities but has an even larger impact on Black and brown women and families," said Glenn Harris, President Race Forward Action.

"When asked which issues the President and Congress should address regarding child well-being, almost half of the respondents in our 2026 National Latino Family Report rated access to quality, affordable childcare as the most pressing issue. The Free Child Care for America Act addresses challenges on both sides of our child care system: Helping families afford childcare while also building and strengthening the supply of child care across communities. AP-OD is proud to endorse legislation that recognizes the investment in children, families, educators, and our collective future," said Diana Dominguez Abriendo Puertas, Opening Doors.

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