Zonta International is a global organization of individuals dedicated to building a better world for women and girls. The Zonta USA Advocacy Action Center is a tool for our members in the United States and other individuals who share our commitment to gender equality to take action to improve the lives of women and girls. With your help, we can make a difference..
The bipartisan Expanding Childcare in Rural America Act (S. 4628 / H.R. 7567) would take an important step toward addressing these barriers by strengthening access to affordable, high-quality childcare in rural communities.
Introduced in the Senate by Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS) and co-sponsored by Senators Joni Ernst (R-IA), Tina Smith (D-MN) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH), with companion legislation introduced in the House of Representatives, the bill would:
- Prioritize childcare projects through U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development loan and grant programs.
- Expand the availability and quality of childcare in rural communities.
- Help make childcare more affordable for working families.
- Evaluate the long-term economic and community impacts of these investments to strengthen future rural development efforts.
By investing in rural childcare infrastructure, this legislation supports not only children and families, but also employers struggling to recruit and retain workers, strengthens local economies and creates greater opportunities for women to participate fully in the workforce.
Senator Tina Smith states, "Affordable, quality childcare is essential to a family's success, but for folks in rural areas and small towns, it's often out of reach."
"Families living in rural communities across the country are struggling to access affordable, reliable childcare, which makes it harder for parents to stay in the workforce and harder for local businesses to retain a strong workforce,” said Senator Maggie Hassan.
Please use our pre-drafted letters to urge your senators to co-sponsor and support the Expanding Childcare in Rural America Act (S. 4628 / H.R. 7567). If they have already sponsored or co-sponsored the bill, you can send a message of thanks.