NWLC Applauds Robust Child Care Funding in Last Six Appropriations Bills

WASHINGTON – Following months of obstruction from House Republicans, Congressional leaders finally released text for the last six FY24 appropriations bills, which include significant additional funding for child care and Head Start – a priority for the National Women’s Law Center (NWLC).

The package also excludes harmful policy riders following efforts led by NWLC to prevent the inclusion of these amendments in the final text, and rejects extreme cuts to critical programs disproportionately impacting women and families.

Fatima Goss Graves, President and CEO of the National Women’s Law Center, released the following statement in response:  

“After urging Congress to include robust funding for child care in this year’s budget, we’re thrilled that our Congressional champions secured an additional $1 billion to help lower child care costs for families and strengthen Head Start programs.

“It’s also important that lawmakers heeded our calls and left out Republican-led poison pill amendments that further restricted abortion access for people who need care, including military service members. That said, we’re disappointed that the final package once again includes harmful restrictions on abortion through the Hyde and Weldon amendments, as well as accelerated cuts to IRS funding.

“Congress must now act quickly to pass these last six appropriations bills to fund our government for the remainder of the fiscal year.”