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U.S. Representative Sharice Davids joined congressional leaders this week in reintroducing the Child Care for Working Families Act, legislation aimed at making high-quality child care more affordable and accessible across the country. The bill would expand access to pre-K, raise wages for child care workers, invest in Head Start, and cap child care costs based on household income.

Since 2020, child care costs have climbed 29 percent nationwide, with the average annual cost now over $13,000. In Kansas and many other states, families are paying more for child care than for rent or in-state college tuition. This growing crisis is placing a heavy burden on families and costing the U.S. economy over $100 billion annually in lost earnings and productivity.

Rep. Davids has prioritized child care throughout her time in Congress. She introduced the Affordable Child Care Act, secured federal funding for Kansas providers, and continues to advocate for early learning and family support programs.

She warns, however, that recent actions by the Trump Administration—such as delayed funding and weakened oversight—are making the situation worse. Budget cuts to programs like Medicaid and SNAP could further pressure state child care systems at a time when support is most needed.

To read the bill text, click here. To read the fact sheet, click here. To read the section-by-section, click here.