Congresswoman Norma Torres Introduces Amendments to Protect Critical Investments in Early Childhood Education and Child Care

Strategic Insights -

Congresswoman Norma Torres, representing the 35th District of California, has introduced two crucial amendments to the Fiscal Year 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS) Appropriations bill. The amendments aim to protect and expand vital investments in early childhood education and child care that directly impact California families. Specifically, the measures target the Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five (PDG B-5) program and the Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG).

Congresswoman Torres' first amendment seeks to restore the PDG B-5 program to its previous level of $315 million, ensuring that California and other states can continue strengthening preschool access and supporting families with young children. This program is the only federal funding stream dedicated to helping states build strong early childhood systems for children ages 0 to 5. By restoring funding, Congresswoman Torres aims to prevent the regression of preschool development grants, which she believes would set children back before they have even started their educational journey.

The second amendment proposed by Congresswoman Torres provides $240 million in emergency supplemental funding for the CCDBG to help states, including California, recover from natural disasters that have destroyed or damaged child care facilities. This measure is modeled on Governor Newsom's request for federal disaster aid, which identified child care assistance as a critical need for families recovering from fires, floods, and other emergencies. Congresswoman Torres emphasizes that when disasters strike, California families cannot wait for child care, highlighting the urgency of providing safe and reliable options.

Key Takeaways:

  • Congresswoman Norma Torres introduced two amendments to the Fiscal Year 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS) Appropriations bill to protect and expand critical investments in early childhood education and child care.
  • The amendments aim to Restore Preschool Development Grant Funding (PDG B-5) to $315 million and Provide Emergency CCDBG Funding of $240 million to help states recover from natural disasters that have damaged child care facilities.
  • Congresswoman Torres' first amendment targets the PDG B-5 program, the only federal funding stream dedicated to building strong early childhood systems for children ages 0 to 5.
  • The second amendment prioritizes emergency supplemental funding for the CCDBG to support families in California and other states recovering from natural disasters.

Statistics:

  • $315 million to be restored to the Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five (PDG B-5) program.
  • $240 million in emergency supplemental funding for the Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG) to aid states recovering from natural disasters.

Sources:

  • United States House of Representatives
  • Congresswoman Norma Torres (35th District of California)
  • Governor Newsom's request for federal disaster aid