Child Poverty Reduction Act

On September 21, 2023, Representative Danny K. Davis (D-IL), Representative Barbara Lee (D-CA), Representative Gerald E. Connolly (D-VA), Representative Sara Jacobs (D-CA), and U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) introduced the Child Poverty Reduction Act of 2023 to commit the nation to cutting child poverty by half in 5 years and to implement an accountability framework.

“Strategies that reduce child poverty, strengthen families, prevent family separation, and reduce children’s removal to out-of-home care should be a top priority for our nation, and the recent successes of the expanded Child Tax Credit have shown that this goal is not only critical, but also achievable. We are grateful for Representative Davis and Senator Casey’s leadership on this important effort and applaud their introduction of this bill,” said Christine James-Brown, CWLA President and CEO

Child Care Nutrition Enhancement Act

On September 19, 2023, Congressman Landsman and Congresswoman Bonamici introduced the Child Care Nutrition Enhancement Act, which would address financial challenges faced by child care providers across the country who utilize the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) – a key federal program administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture that reimburses child care providers for meals and snacks they serve to more than 4.2 million children each day in participating family child care homes, child care centers, Head Start programs, and after school programs. The bill would ensure:

  • A family child care provider serving 7 children could receive an additional $475 a month or $5,700 a year in reimbursements
  • A Head Start program or child care center serving 100 children could receive an additional $600 a month or $7,200 a year in reimbursements

Fostering Success in Higher Education Act

On September 19, 2023, Representative Danny K. Davis (D-IL), Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), and U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) introduced the Fostering Success in Higher Education Act to improve college access, retention, and graduation rates for foster and homeless youth. Less than 10 percent of foster youth graduate with an associate or bachelor’s degree. This bill would substantially improve state capacity to assist these students, helping them cover the costs of college and providing robust support and mental health services. It would invest $150 million a year in states, tribes, and territories to establish or expand statewide initiatives to assist foster and homeless youth in enrolling in and graduating from college.

End Diaper Need Act

On September 21, 2023, Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Kevin Cramer (R-ND) re-introduced bipartisan legislation to make it easier for low-income families to afford the diapers they need. The End Diaper Need Act of 2023 would help assist low-income families to address diaper need by providing targeted funding for states, territories and other eligible entities working on this issue. A companion version of this bill was introduced in the House by Representatives Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Rosa DeLauro (D-CT).