Support Bill [H.R. 2900] University of Illinois-Springfield
Dear Representative Miller,
We are currently battling a child care desert epidemic. Recent studies, orchestrated by Center for American Progress, show “51 percent of people in the United States live in a child care desert” (CAP). There is a scarcity of child care options available to people, which discourages people from having families. Some families cannot afford to have only one parent working, even with federal assistance. At times two would need to work and if there is no child care nearby, what happens to their children? I realize some of your concerns align with a declining birth rate in America. If people felt like they had a strong foundation to support children while still living a decent life and providing their children with an adequate environment, they would be less likely to resort to medical procedures to end pregnancy. People cannot afford to have families with the expenses of childcare. Stated by the Pew Research Center, “In a given county, the median cost per child for paid care in 2018 was anywhere from 8.0% to 19.3% of the median household income in that county, depending on the age of the child, the type of child care program and the size of the county” (Leppert). I am sure that the median has changed after seven years, regardless child care costs are high and it does not include other expenses you may spend on a child.
For example, many parents who are ready to have children are just starting in their careers, or finishing their education. They may fall in the bottom 30% of household incomes, which would leave them with an after-taxes-and-benefits income of less than $3,500 per month. After paying for their rent or mortgage, they might be left with less than $2,200 for all other expenses, and daycare for children ranges between $600 and $2,400 per month. Given these economic realities, it should not be surprising that birth rates are declining and some young people still choose to end pregnancies for economic reasons.
With all being said, I would like you to support H.R. 2900 (Promoting Affordable Childcare for Everyone Act). If you are not convinced that this would be the best solution at this time, please write back or schedule a meeting to further discuss. If this is something that you also find passion in, please share it with your political allies. When the time comes, I ask that you consider supporting The Child Care for Every Community Act. It is a bill that provides universal child care for all children in America. For the majority, it would cap childcare costs at 7% of a parent’s income, but make it free for those with lower income. The act died a couple years ago and is planned to be reintroduced at some point. If you would like to get in touch with those leading the PACE Act, Representative Claudia Tenney and Brad Schneider are taking charge.
I appreciate you taking the time to read my letter. Child care is something I am passionate about, since I work at one and realize how important it is to the families. The relationships and bonds children make with their teacher demonstrate how all children should be cared for in that way. I look forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas for the bill.
Thank you,
______________________
C: ________________
Sources https://www.ffyf.org/resources/2025/09/118th-congress-bipartisan-child-care-legislation-addressi ng-supply-cost-accessibility-and-quality/
https://prekcaucus-castro.house.gov/about
https://tenney.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-tenney-reintroduces-promoting-af fordable-childcare-everyone-act#:~:text=Government%20Shutdown%20Resources-,Congresswo man%20Tenney%20Reintroduces%20the%20Promoting%20Affordable%20Childcare%20for%2 0Everyone%20Act,keep%20up%20with%20today's%20economy. https://childcaredeserts.org/2018/
https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/10/25/5-facts-about-child-care-costs-in-the-us/
This is a fine letter. You explain a problem and offer a solution. It occurred to me that you are writing this letter to a very conservative Republican, and I wanted her to understand the sort of economic circumstances people have at the 30th percentile (almost the same as the mean income of people in the second quintile). What does child care cost these days? What do people at that income level earn these days? I wanted to show her that at the level of having a household income at the 30th percentile, child care costs without subsidies or assistance would cost between 28% and 105% of monthly income after taxes, benefits (e.g., EITC and SNAP), and housing. Leaving very little for transportation, food, and other necessities of life.
It's good that you pointed out that the cost of childcare would be covered by families with higher incomes, but everyone would have a cap, and the subsidies or vouchers to help lower-income households afford childcare would be means-tested. This would be an important point to make with anyone who complains about excessive government spending (not just ultra-conservatives like Representative Miller—I also would question making childcare free to everyone if that meant subsidizing childcare expenses for families in the top 40% of the income distribution).
You also ask for a meeting with Representative Miller. Your tone is polite and respectful. And you make a specific "ask" from her concerning specific legislation. These are all good aspects of the letter.
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