Rural farming communities across the country struggle with a shortage of affordable childcare, making it harder for parents to work and for local economies to grow. This bill directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to create an initiative from 2026 through 2030 that gives priority to childcare projects when awarding existing rural development loans and grants. Eligible projects could include building or improving childcare facilities, supporting childcare business operations, or providing technical assistance to providers in farming-dependent counties. Within 3 years, USDA must report to Congress on the initiative’s economic and social results.
Average Household Impact
- Rural childcare access priority — USDA rural loan and grant selection directed toward childcare projects in farming-dependent counties through 2030
Transparency & Accountability
- Program evaluation reporting — Secretary must submit a comprehensive 3-year evaluation of childcare initiative outcomes to Congress
Congressional Summary
Expanding Childcare in Rural America Act of 2025This bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish the Expanding Childcare in Rural America Initiative to prioritize certain loans and grants that address childcare in agricultural and rural communities. Under the bill, childcare includes eligible programs that provide quality care and early education for young children who are in kindergarten or have not yet entered kindergarten.Under the initiative, USDA must give priority to applicants that propose to use certain loans or grants to address the availability, quality, or costs of childcare in an agricultural or rural community. In addition, USDA must prioritize communities in farming-dependent counties and ensure a balanced geographical distribution of the benefits.USDA must conduct a comprehensive quantitative and qualitative evaluation of the projects carried out under the initiative and submit a report to Congress.
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- House
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Introduced in House
- Action Date
- 2025-09-15
- Date Added
- 2026-06-23
- Source
- Congress.gov →
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