Congress is back from August recess, and making funding decisions that will impact child care accessibility and affordability nationwide. These decisions will shape the resources available to families and child care providers across the country. 

Last week, the early childhood field lost one of its fiercest champions with the death of Jacklyn (Jackie) Bezos. Jackie’s devotion to children’s development, her melding of heart and action, and her fearless embrace of life’s challenges reflect values that inspire us at Child Care Aware® of America (CCAoA) every day. In light of her passing, we honor Jackie’s legacy in her commitment to early learning and support of CCAoA’s mission.  

The 2025 state legislative sessions provided both opportunities and hurdles for states to improve their child care systems. In 2025, all states were in session while 47 states and Washington, D.C., were scheduled to pass budgets, meaning policymakers in every state had an opportunity to advance proposals that improve the child care system.   

The final 2025 tax reconciliation package (also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act – H.R.1) was signed into law on July 4, 2025. This bill passed both chambers by narrow margins. It passed 215-214 in the House of Representatives in May and 51-50 in the Senate on July 1st. The House then ultimately passed the Senate’s version of the bill 218-214. 

Child Care Aware® of America is pleased to support the reintroduction of the Child Care for Working Families Act and thanks Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and Representative Bobby Scott (D-VA) for their leadership on behalf of our country’s children, families, child care providers, and communities. 

Twenty economists and early childhood experts from across the country gathered in Omaha, NE to discuss the challenges facing the child care field and examine how to use what we have learned to improve the child care system.