Even though the child care system faces challenges there are paths forward. Sustainable child care isn’t just possible—it’s achievable, if we act together. Experts discussed these paths forward during a Congressional briefing held by Child Care Aware® of America (CCAoA) and the Buffet Early Childhood Institute on September 10, 2025 to examine how to use what we have learned to improve the child care system. 

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. 

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. 

On May 30th, the Trump Administration released their proposed FY26 Discretionary Budget Request, kicking off the FY26 appropriations process and suggesting significant shifts and cuts in federal spending priorities. The President’s budget request is only a set of recommendations to Congress as they ultimately make decisions about how to fund discretionary programs, however it does provide valuable insights into the administration's key priorities and aims to shape congressional decision-making. 

At the end of May, the House of Representatives voted (215–214) to pass their budget reconciliation bill, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1). While Congress had the opportunity to make meaningful policy changes that would improve the lives of working families, young children, and the people that care for them every day, this bill does not deliver.