Message from Rob:
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Access to affordable, reliable child care is essential for Virginia’s families, employers, and economy. Parents should not have to choose between earning a paycheck and ensuring their children are in a safe, high-quality learning environment.
That is why I recently cosponsored two bipartisan bills to strengthen child care options, reduce unnecessary barriers for providers, and better support working families.
Many Virginians—including nurses, law enforcement officers, emergency responders, retail employees, and other essential workers—work evenings, overnight shifts, or weekends. Unfortunately, finding dependable child care outside of traditional business hours can be difficult.
The After Hours Child Care Act would expand eligibility under the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) program to support after-hours and nontraditional child care options. By helping employers expand existing child care programs or establish new child care facilities, this legislation would make it easier for hardworking parents to remain in the workforce while knowing their children are receiving quality care.
I also cosponsored the Child Care Modernization Act of 2026, which updates and strengthens the Child Care and Development Block Grant program to improve access, affordability, and quality.
This legislation would:
- Help child care providers build and renovate facilities through new competitive grants
- Update reimbursement rates so they better reflect the true cost of providing quality child care
- Reduce unnecessary red tape that disproportionately burdens small, rural, and home-based providers
- Strengthen support for home-based child care providers by expanding technical assistance and sharing best practices
- Give states greater flexibility to ensure assistance reaches the families who need it most
By cutting red tape, supporting providers, and expanding options, this bipartisan legislation will help more parents find the child care that best meets their needs.
Strong families are the foundation of strong communities. As Congress continues its work, I remain committed to advancing practical, bipartisan solutions that help parents succeed, support employers, and ensure children have access to safe, high-quality care.
Sincerely,
Rob Wittman
Member of Congress, Virginia’s 1st District