Ernst Bill to Expand Child Care Access Advances
WASHINGTON – The Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship passed a bipartisan bill to increase the availability of child care for small business owners and working families.
The Small Business Child Care Investment Act led by Chair Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Senator Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) would allow non-profit child care providers, including religious organizations, to participate in the Small Business Administration (SBA) loan programs.
“One of the biggest pressures on working families is access to high-quality, affordable child care,” said Ernst. “By advancing this bill, we are one step closer to clearing the red tape and expanding options, especially in rural communities. Not only will it drive down costs for Iowans, but it will strengthen the workforce and make it easier for small businesses to hire and retain capable staff.”
“The lack of affordable, quality child care options is hurting hardworking Nevada families and forcing them to make tough financial choices,” said Rosen. “That’s why I’ve been working across the aisle to pass my bipartisan bill to help lower costs by increasing access to affordable child care in our state. This legislation will help nonprofits, community organizations, churches, synagogues, and others to set up or expand child care centers, and I’m glad to see it advance out of committee today.”
The Small Business Child Care Investment Act would:
- Ensure that qualified non-profit providers have equal access to key SBA loan options that allow providers to invest in and expand their operations;
- Create local jobs and give working families more options for affordable and quality child care; and
- Protect religiously-affiliated non-profit providers’ access to the larger and more flexible loan programs like 7(a) and 504 that can be used for real estate, construction, remodeling, and other expenses critical to maintaining and expanding high-quality child care operations.
Background:
Ernst has been a strong advocate for increasing access to affordable, high-quality child care in Iowa.
On her annual River to River Tour, Ernst routinely visits child care centers to understand the needs of Iowans and bring their voices to Washington.
###