Congresswoman Lee Joins Senator Rosen to Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Expand Access to Affordable Child Care

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LAS VEGAS – Today, Congresswoman Susie Lee (D-NV) and Congressman Pete Stauber (R-MN) introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to expand access to affordable child care options and support non-profit child care providers. The Small Business Child Care Investment Act would grant non-profit child care providers access to the same types of Small Business Administration (SBA) loans available to for-profit businesses. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) introduced companion legislation in the Senate last month.

To celebrate this introduction, Congresswoman Lee joined Senator Jacky Rosen, representatives from the United Way of Southern Nevada, and local parents to tour the child care center at the Durango Hills YMCA and highlighted how this legislation would help support non-profit child care centers in southern Nevada. More photos from the event are available to download here.

"In Nevada, three out of four children under five do not have access to a licensed child care provider, and our working families and businesses struggle as a result," said Congresswoman Lee. "I'm proud to stand with Senator Jacky Rosen and our Republican colleagues in the House and Senate in introducing this critical legislation to help child care providers expand their businesses to meet demand. We absolutely can come together across party lines to put the needs of American families first and here is the proof."

"Parents in Nevada rely on access to quality, affordable child care services. Unfortunately, many families are experiencing sky-high costs for child care and a lack of availability in Nevada," said Senator Rosen. "Our bipartisan legislation would help give Nevada's working families the support they need by expanding access to affordable child care centers. At a time when Nevada has been named a child care desert, I'm going to keep fighting to provide relief for families across our state."

"With more parents choosing to both work and raise a family, access to child care is more important than ever. Families living in rural communities, like many in northern Minnesota, are particularly impacted by the lack of available child care options," said Congressman Stauber. "I am proud to help lead the Small Business Child Care Investment Act, legislation that will go a long way toward opening new child care centers and assisting families that want to grow their small business or participate in the workforce."

"United Way of Southern Nevada is a long-standing partner of Nevada Ready! Pre-K which allows hundreds of children from qualifying families to attend preschool at no cost. We have seen firsthand the positive impact that affordable high-quality care and education options have provided not only for our children, but entire families," said Julian High, President and CEO, United Way of Southern Nevada. "The Small Business Child Care Investment Act allows nonprofit childcare and early education providers to grow their capacity so they can meet the needs of working families in Nevada. We are very grateful for this partnership that will help improve the lives of those in our beloved community and state."

Background

Nevada is at the epicenter of a nationwide child care crisis, with nearly 75% of young children in Nevada lacking access to a licensed child care provider. Additionally, a recent state report deemed the cost of child care a "huge concern" in Nevada and found that annual child care costs often exceed a year of college tuition.
Currently, non-profit child care providers do not have the same access to the types of SBA loans that for-profit providers do:

• Under current law, only certain non-profit child care providers may apply for the SBA's microloan program, which is capped at $50,000 and cannot be used to purchase real estate or for existing debts. Other SBA loan programs are off-limits to non-profit child care providers, even if they are small businesses that would otherwise be eligible for access to capital programs if they were a for-profit entity.
• For-profit providers can access the larger and more flexible loan programs like the 7(a) and 504 programs that can range up to $5.5 million in capital support and can be used for real estate, construction, remodeling, and other expenses critical to maintaining and expanding high-quality child care operations.

The bipartisan Small Business Child Care Investment Act would:

• Ensure that qualified non-profit providers have equal access to key SBA loan options that allow providers to invest in and expand their operations, which creates local jobs and gives working families more options for affordable and quality child care;
• Ensure non-profit providers can access the larger and more flexible loan programs like 7(a) and 504 that can be used for real estate, construction, remodeling, and other expenses critical to maintaining and expanding high-quality child care operations.

This legislation is supported by the following entities and organizations:

• National Head Start Association
• Child Care Aware of America
• First Five Years Fund
• Save the Children Action Network
• First Focus Campaign for Children
• United Way of Southern Nevada
• Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce
• Reno + Sparks Chamber of Commerce
• Nevada Association for the Education of Young Children
• National Military Family Association
• National Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders

You can find more information and additional quotes of support here.

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