FY22 Early Learning and Care Appropriations Letters

The annual appropriations process is an important time for legislators to determine their priorities for the next fiscal year. Congress uses this process to allocate funding for federal programs, activities and priorities. For the past several years, amid a myriad of competing priorities and limited funds, federal early learning and care programs have seen bipartisan support through the annual Congressional appropriations process.

On Capitol Hill, “Dear Colleague” letters are a key way for lawmakers to convey and generate support for these programs among their colleagues. Lawmakers collaborate to show appropriators the breadth and depth of support on Capitol Hill, and often make specific requests related to program funding levels.

Here are the various Dear Colleague letters that are currently being circulated related to the federal early learning and care programs:

• House Dear Colleague Letter Supporting Funding for PDG B-5 in FY2022
  • Led by Reps. Joaquin Castro (D-TX) and John Katko (R-NY)
• House Dear Colleague Letter Supporting Funding for CCDBG in FY2022
  • Led by Reps. Rodney Davis (R-IL), Steve Stivers (R-OH), Pete Stauber (R-MN)
• House Dear Colleague Letter Supporting Funding for Head Start and Early Head Start in FY2022
  • Led by Rep. Katherine Clark (D-MA)
• House Dear Colleague Letter Supporting Funding for Head Start and Early Head Start in FY2022
  • Led by Rep. Steve Stivers (R-OH)
• House Dear Colleague Letter Supporting Funding for CCDBG and IDEA Early Childhood Programs in FY2022
  • Led by Rep. Katherine Clark (D-MA)
• Senate Dear Colleague Letter Supporting Funding for Early Learning and Care in F
  • Led by Sens. Robert Casey (D-PA), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), and Tina Smith (D-MN)