FY25 Early Learning and Child 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:
- Senate Bipartisan Dear Colleague Letter Supporting Funding for Child Care Access Means Parents in Schools (CCAMPIS)
- Led by Senator Tammy Duckworth
- Senate Democratic Dear Colleague Letter Supporting Funding for CCDBG in FY2025
- Led by Led by Senators Bob Casey, Tina Smith, and Mazie Hirono
- House Republican Dear Colleague Letter Supporting Funding for CCDBG in FY2025
- Led by Representative Burgess Owens (R-UT)
- House Bipartisan Dear Colleague Letter Supporting Funding for the Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five (PDG B-5) in FY2025
- Led by Representatives Joaquin Castro (D-TX) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA)
- House Democratic Dear Colleague Letter Supporting Funding for CCDBG in FY2025
- Led by Representative Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR)
- House Democratic Dear Colleague Letter Supporting Funding for Head Start and Early Head Start in FY2025
- Led by Representative Jahana Hayes (D-CT)
- House Republican Dear Colleague Letter Supporting Funding for Head Start and Early Head Start in FY2025
- Led by Representative Pete Stauber (R-MN)
- House Dear Colleague Letter Supporting Funding for Child Care Access Means Parents in Schools (CCAMPIS)
- Led by Rep. Bill Foster (D-IL)