News

The Ranking Member of the Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education Subcommittee for the House Education and Workforce Committee discussed her priorities to lower the cost of Pre-K and Early Childhood Education.

By Bennett Sproat

Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) speaks at Center Forward’s Affordability Summit on Tuesday, September 15, 2026 in Washington, D.C.

Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), the leading Democrat for the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education, opened the Center Forward Affordability Summit focused on her priorities to lower the costs of child care for working families across America. She stressed the importance of child care to America’s economic infrastructure and the need to invest in the future of the United States. As the Co-Chair of the bipartisan Pre-K and Child Care Caucus and the Co-Chair of the bipartisan Career and Technical Education (CTE) Caucus, she is acutely aware of the challenges facing American families and the importance of working across the aisle to deliver results for working families. 

Rep. Bonamici highlighted the varied costs families face when trying to access affordable child care. She discussed the challenges that parents working outside the hours of 9 to 5 face when attempting to balance caring for their kids and getting to work. Additionally, she spoke to the importance of balanced and nutritious meals for the education and development of kids. Finally, Rep. Bonamici pointed to the lack of skilled child care workers in the United States as a major contributor to the spiralling costs of child care.

“Early childhood education is one of the best investments we can make for children, society, and the economy,” said Rep. Bonamici. “For every $1 we invest in early education, the return is up to $17 in reduced need for public assistance, increased earnings, and better educational outcomes. High-quality, accessible, and affordable child care allows parents to work and children to thrive.”

To help solve this crisis of affordable child care, the Congresswoman emphasized the bipartisan legislation she is championing. Specifically, she touted major legislation she has pushed through the 119th Congress including the Child Care Workforce Development Act and CCAMPIS Reauthorization Act. Her legislative efforts would help reduce the shortage of skilled child care workers by encouraging students to become child care providers after graduating and expanding support for CTE programs. Rep. Bonamici talked about how her legislation would also support families working non-traditional hours to receive assistance and the need for greater child care access for rural areas.

Rep. Bonamici showcased her efforts to provide quality child care for parents in Oregon’s first district and across the country. She discussed the struggles working families face, hearing directly from both parents and caregivers in her district. The Congresswoman remains committed to delivering relief for Americans struggling with the cost of care through common-sense, bipartisan solutions.