Virginia Foxx (R-NC)
Safeguarding Taxpayer Dollars in Child Care Act of 2026
A Republican bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 509.
Cleared committee, waiting for its first floor vote
A committee approved it and it is on the calendar of the chamber it started in.
This is further than most bills get, and still no promise of a vote: the calendar is a queue, and the majority leadership decides what is called. A bill can sit here until the Congress ends.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- On Calendar
What this bill would do
The Safeguarding Taxpayer Dollars in Child Care Act of 2026 aims to stop fraud in child care programs. It allows the Secretary to investigate fraud and permanently ban providers from receiving financial assistance if a final determination of fraud is made. This ban applies to the Child Care and Development Block Grant program and the Child and Adult Care Food Program. If a provider is banned from one program due to fraud, they will also be banned from the other.
Yes· 3 of 9
- Scored +5
Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?
Increases accountability and oversight of federal grant expenditures by permanently banning fraudulent providers.
- Scored +4
Would children be better off under this?
Ensures child care funds go to legitimate, licensed providers rather than fraudulent operators.
- Scored +3
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?
Protects families from fraudulent and potentially unlicensed child care providers.
The opposite
- Scored -3
Would business owners be better off under this?
Imposes permanent bans on business owners who are found to have committed fraud.
- Scored -2
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
While targeting fraud, the permanent debarment is a severe penalty for any business owner found in violation.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Protection of Public Funds: The bill requires the Secretary to investigate fraud and permanently debar providers who commit fraud, which helps safeguard taxpayer dollars. (Section 2(a) and 2(b))
-
Higher Standards for Providers: By permanently banning providers who knowingly submit false statements, misrepresent services, or operate without required licensing to get money, the bill targets dishonest operators. (Section 2(D))
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Permanent Loss of Funding: Child care providers found to have committed fraud face a permanent ban from receiving financial assistance, meaning they can never return to these programs. (Section 2(B) and Section 3(E)(i))
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.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — Increases accountability and oversight of federal grant expenditures by permanently banning fraudulent providers. Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — Protects families from fraudulent and potentially unlicensed child care providers. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — Prevents improper payment of federal funds to fraudulent providers. Does this reduce what the federal government owes? — Reducing fraud in child care programs saves taxpayer funds, potentially lowering government expenditures. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — While targeting fraud, the permanent debarment is a severe penalty for any business owner found in violation.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — Grants the Secretary explicit authority to investigate and permanently debar providers. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — Requires a final determination based on administrative or judicial orders, adding a layer of formal process to fraud removal. Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — Defines fraud as a 'final determination' after appeal rights have been exhausted or waived.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would children be better off under this? — Ensures child care funds go to legitimate, licensed providers rather than fraudulent operators. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Protects the integrity of the block grant programs that low-income families rely on for child care. Would business owners be better off under this? — Imposes permanent bans on business owners who are found to have committed fraud.
- 4/6/2026
- Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Workforce. H. Rept. 119-589.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 509.
- 3/5/2026
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 20 - 15.
- 3/4/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/26/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Introduced in House
Julia LetlowRepublican · Louisiana