The U.S. Chamber of Commerce organized a fly-in event in late February for business representatives and state and local chamber leaders from across the country to meet with key lawmakers on the childcare needs of American workers.
Why it matters: Businesses and policymakers are paying close attention to the accessibility and affordability of childcare because a robust childcare system is needed to support a strong workforce and thriving economy.
- Far too often, parents struggle to find quality childcare as it is unaffordable and inaccessible.
- One viable solution is to incentivize businesses to offer flexible optionsto help families with high child care costs.
While on the Hill, the business leaders advocated for expanding three existing federal childcare programs that incentivize businesses to help make childcare more accessible for working parents.
The advocacy builds on the U.S. Chamber’s strong support for childcare programs that would help bolster America’s workforce amid an ongoing labor shortage.
- The Employer-Provided Childcare Credit (45F) incentivizes businesses to invest in childcare through building centers and operating or contracting childcare services.
- The Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP) is a pre-tax benefit account used for eligible dependent care services.
- The Child and Dependent Care Credit (CDCTC) helps families pay for the care of their children or other dependents by offsetting working families’ childcare expenses.
The week following the fly-in, the Child Care Availability and Affordability Act of 2025 was introduced in the House and Senate by Senator Katie Britt and Rep. Salud Carbajal, which would expand the three childcare programs. The U.S. Chamber sent a letter to Congress in support of this legislation.
While on Capitol Hill, the business representatives met with staff from House and Senate offices, including Sen. Britt’s office, and others from the Iowa, South Dakota, Alabama, Missouri, Utah, Louisiana, and Virginia delegations.
Building a Robust Childcare System
The three programs outlined above help families find and afford quality childcare options. Employers benefit, too, since reliable childcare boosts employee attendance and productivity. Reliable childcare systems can also help people enter, and stay, in the workforce.
- Before they went to meet with lawmaker offices on Capitol Hill, the business leaders met with U.S. Chamber experts to discuss the childcare programs, other childcare related legislation, and garner data to take the Hill exploring the workforce implications of gaps in childcare.
Last year, the U.S. Chamber endorsed a bill aiming to enhance the three childcare programs, and in March 2024 hosted a “Common Grounds” virtual event with Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer and Rep. Salud Carbajal to hear how Congress can help reduce childcare costs.
In June, the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation hosted a first-of-its-kind National Child Care Innovation Summit, bringing together leaders from the public and private sector to discuss the vital role of child care for U.S. economic competitiveness.
Expanding these existing programs and incentivizing businesses to offer options to help families with high childcare costs will ensure continued strength and stability in the childcare sector, which is key to economic growth.
