New legislation cosponsored on June 9 by U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-IA) aims to strengthen the nationwide child care system and ensure that children and families have access to high-quality, affordable care.
The bipartisan Child Care Modernization Act of 2026, H.R. 9224, which is sponsored by U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-PA) and fellow cosponsor U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-MI), would reauthorize and update the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG).
“After more than a decade without reauthorization, the federal government’s primary childcare program simply isn’t equipped to meet the needs of our families,” Rep. Hinson said. “That’s why I helped introduce bipartisan legislation to expand access to affordable, quality childcare and ensure every working family can access quality, affordable childcare.”
If enacted, H.R. 9224 would create new grant opportunities to help high-quality providers build, expand, or renovate childcare facilities, and encourage states to update CCDBG reimbursement rates to more accurately reflect the cost of providing quality childcare.
Additionally, the bill would reduce red tape that places burdens on small, rural, and home-based childcare providers; expand access to technical assistance and sharing best practices; and give states additional flexibility when determining income eligibility for families participating in the CCDBG program, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Hinson’s office.
“This bill tackles barriers that make it harder to open and grow childcare facilities, creating more options for parents and strengthening our workforce,” said the congresswoman, a co-chair of the Pre-K and Child Care Caucus. “Family is at the heart of everything I do, and I’ll keep fighting to make it easier to raise one.”
H.R. 9224 is companion legislation to the same-named S. 2828, introduced in September 2025 by U.S. Sens. Deb Fischer (R-NE), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) in the Senate.
“The lack of affordable, reliable child care — especially in rural communities — remains a huge issue for working families. It’s why I introduced the Child Care Modernization Act to reauthorize the [CCDBG], driving meaningful improvements in child care access and quality,” Sen. Fischer said. “I applaud my colleagues in the House for introducing a companion bill – a critical step toward getting this legislation signed into law.”
The measure has garnered support from the First Five Years Fund, the Bipartisan Policy Center Action, and Iowa’s Save the Children Action Network, among others.