More Than $8 Billion Secured for Child Care by Senator Collins in FY23 Funding Law

Washington, D.C.— U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), the Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, announced that the 2023 government funding law included $8.02 billion to support the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), a 30 percent increase from the previous year’s appropriation. CCDBG provides funding to states to provide child care assistance to low-income families and helps improve the overall accessibility and quality of child care. 

“Improving access to quality, affordable child care helps promote financial stability for families and benefits small businesses as well as our economy.  Child care also alleviates stress on working parents when they know that their children are in a safe, structured environment where they can play and learn,” said Senator Collins.  “I strongly supported this funding, which will enable parents to obtain reliable care for their children while they work or attend classes to improve their own skills and education.”

Last year, Senator Collins joined a group of her colleagues in introducing the Child Care and Development Block Grant Reauthorization Act of 2022, legislation to build on Congress’ 30-year record of bipartisan work to support and enhance child care programs across the nation. She also joined a May 2022 letter urging the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health, and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies to prioritize CCDBG funding in its Fiscal Year 2023 appropriations bill.

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