07/31/2026
Access to affordable, reliable childcare is not simply a family issue—it is an economic issue and a women's rights issue. Women continue to shoulder a disproportionate share of caregiving responsibilities, making them more likely to reduce work hours, decline career opportunities or leave the workforce when quality childcare is unavailable or unaffordable. These challenges are especially pronounced in rural communities, where families often struggle to find childcare close to home. Expanding access to affordable, dependable childcare is essential to removing barriers to women's workforce participation, advancing economic independence and creating greater opportunities for women to succeed in their careers and be able to pursue higher education, accept employment, grow a business or advance into leadership positions.
The bipartisan Expanding Childcare in Rural America Act (S. 4628 / H.R. 7567) would take an important step toward addressing these barriers by strengthening access to affordable, high-quality childcare in rural communities.
Introduced in the Senate by Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS) and co-sponsored by Senators Joni Ernst (R-IA), Tina Smith (D-MN) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH), with companion legislation introduced in the House of Representatives, the bill would:
Prioritize childcare projects through U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development loan and grant programs.
Expand the availability and quality of childcare in rural communities.
Help make childcare more affordable for working families.
Evaluate the long-term economic and community impacts of these investments to strengthen future rural development efforts.
By investing in rural childcare infrastructure, this legislation supports not only children and families, but also employers struggling to recruit and retain workers, strengthens local economies and creates greater opportunities for women to participate fully in the workforce.
Senator Tina Smith states, "Affordable, quality childcare is essential to a family's success, but for folks in rural areas and small towns, it's often out of reach."
"Families living in rural communities across the country are struggling to access affordable, reliable childcare, which makes it harder for parents to stay in the workforce and harder for local businesses to retain a strong workforce,” said Senator Maggie Hassan.
