Eugene Vindman (D-VA)
Providing Child Care for Firefighters and EMS Act
A Democratic bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The bill establishes a grant pilot program administered by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide child care services for the minor children of emergency services personnel. It aims to accommodate shift work and nontraditional work hours while enhancing the recruitment and retention of these workers. Lead agencies can receive competitive grants for a period of three years to fund covered entities and child care programs. The legislation outlines specific uses of funds, matching requirements, provider requirements, and administrative duties including audits and repayment for misused funds. Additionally, the Secretary must conduct two-year and four-year studies and submit reports to Congress regarding the program. The program is authorized at $30,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031 and terminates on September 30, 2031.
Yes· 3 of 17
- Scored +7
Does this make child care cost less?
The bill explicitly authorizes grant funds to provide financial assistance for family child care costs and support startup and operational expenses for child care programs.
- Scored +6
Would children be better off under this?
The bill increases access to child care services, including specialized care for sick children and children with disabilities.
- Scored +5
Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this?
Emergency services personnel are often younger adults who will directly benefit from affordable child care during nontraditional hours.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill authorizes $30,000,000 annually for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031 for the grant program.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 2(d)(1) allows grant funds to be used for startup costs, training of providers, and financial assistance for family child care costs, which directly helps emergency services personnel afford and access needed care during nontraditional hours.
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Section 2(d)(1)(D) and Section 2(d)(1)(F) permit funds to be used to provide care for sick children and children with disabilities, providing critical support for families with specialized care needs.
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Section 2(d)(1)(H) allows funds to be used for the operation, construction, or renovation of child care facilities, which can increase the physical availability of child care slots for the community.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Section 2(e) requires covered entities to provide non-Federal matching contributions starting at 10 percent for the first year, increasing to 25 percent for the second year, and 33 2/3 percent for the third year, which could place a financial burden on local emergency services providers or require them to secure external donations.
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Section 2(g)(4) mandates that if funds are misused, the Secretary may seek the repayment of an amount equal to the misused funds plus interest from the covered entity or child care provider, creating a financial risk for entities that mismanage funds.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would children be better off under this? — The bill increases access to child care services, including specialized care for sick children and children with disabilities. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — Middle-aged emergency services personnel benefit from assistance with child care costs and expanded operating hours. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Emergency services personnel are often younger adults who will directly benefit from affordable child care during nontraditional hours. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill assists families with child care costs and supports workers in essential roles that often feature moderate-to-low starting wages. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Middle-income emergency services personnel receive direct financial assistance and expanded access to child care options. Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — Many emergency services personnel are military veterans who will benefit from improved child care support and workforce retention programs. Would women be better off under this? — Given the representation of women in caregiving and certain emergency services roles, expanded child care access supports female workers. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The inclusion of tribal lands and diverse local jurisdictions ensures rural communities can access grants for emergency personnel child care.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill provides grants that can be used for startup costs, training, and facility operations for child care providers, many of which operate as small businesses. Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill supports the establishment and operation of child care programs, which creates jobs for child care providers and helps retain emergency services personnel. Is this likely to grow the economy? — By improving child care access for emergency services personnel during nontraditional hours, the bill enhances workforce participation and retention in critical community services. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill authorizes $30,000,000 annually for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031 for the grant program.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this make child care cost less? — The bill explicitly authorizes grant funds to provide financial assistance for family child care costs and support startup and operational expenses for child care programs.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates comprehensive two-year and four-year studies, reports to Congress, and annual audits for entities receiving grant funds. Does this give the federal government more power? — The legislation establishes a federally administered grant pilot program through the Department of Health and Human Services with specific reporting, auditing, and compliance requirements.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill provides funding to establish child care services specifically tailored to accommodate the shift work and nontraditional hours of emergency personnel.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — The bill includes Indian Tribes, tribal organizations, and territories, allowing rural and tribal communities to benefit from child care grants for emergency personnel.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — Supporting emergency services personnel, many of whom are veterans, through child care benefits improves their overall support and retention.
- 9/24/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Donald DavisDemocrat · North Carolina