Bipartisan legislation sponsored by U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) could help meet critical childcare needs in communities across Iowa, the congresswoman said during an Oct. 20 roundtable she hosted with business leaders in Des Moines, Iowa.
Sen. Ernst highlighted the Childcare Development of Employee Solutions for Early Rearing in Towns with Shortages Act, S. 5022, also known as the Childcare DESERTS Act, which she sponsored on Sept. 29 with original cosponsors U.S. Sens. Tim Scott (R-SC), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), and Gary Peters (D-MI).
If enacted, S. 5022 would allow recipients of certain loans made or guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) to use those proceeds to provide childcare services to their employees, according to the text of the bill.
“As we heard from Iowa business owners today, the lack of affordable, quality childcare has created major barriers for our families, communities, and small businesses,” Sen. Ernst said during the roundtable on Thursday. “The Childcare DESERTS Act will empower small businesses to provide their employees with access to childcare — supporting Iowa families while boosting our local economies,” added Ernst, a member of the Senate Small Business Committee.
The legislation is supported by the Iowa Bankers Association, the First Five Years Fund, and the Early Care and Education Consortium, and is under consideration by the U.S. Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee.
During the roundtable, Sen. Grassley also pointed out that he has heard from many Iowans about their struggles to find quality and affordable childcare.
“It has become even more difficult due to the workforce shortage,” he said. “Additionally, with inflation hovering around a 40-year high, the last thing Iowa families should have to worry about is being able to afford care for their children.”
“I’ll continue working on policies to support families and remove barriers to care,” said the senator.