To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Education to submit a report on the availability, accessibility, and affordability of childcare for veteran families.
- Bill Number
- H.R. 6026
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-11-17: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
- Last Updated
- 2025-12-24T09:05:20Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This legislation, H.R. 6026, aims to address childcare challenges faced by veteran families by requiring federal agencies to study and report on the current state of childcare options, highlighting areas for potential improvement.
Key Provisions
- Joint Report Requirement: The Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Education must submit a joint report to Congress within 180 days (about six months) after the bill becomes law.
- Report Contents:
- An assessment of existing childcare options available to veteran families at the time of the report.
- Identification of gaps in these childcare options.
- Evaluation of barriers to accessing childcare, including:
- Cost (financial affordability).
- Geographic distance (how far options are from families).
- Eligibility criteria (rules determining who qualifies for services).
- Definition: "Veteran family" is defined as per section 2044 of title 38, United States Code, which generally refers to families of veterans, including spouses, children, and dependents eligible for certain VA benefits.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This bill introduces a new reporting mandate but does not amend or alter any existing laws. It builds on current definitions in veterans' benefits statutes without making substantive changes to childcare programs or eligibility rules.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Department of Education will need to collaborate on data collection and analysis, potentially straining resources temporarily but informing future policy decisions.
- Citizens: Veteran families may indirectly benefit if the report leads to expanded or improved childcare services, such as more affordable or accessible options near military or veteran communities.
- International Relations: No direct impact, as the bill focuses solely on domestic U.S. veteran support.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Veteran Families: Primary beneficiaries, as the report targets their childcare needs.
- Federal Agencies: VA and Department of Education, responsible for producing the report.
- Congress: Receives the report and could use it to guide future legislation or funding.
- Childcare Providers: May be indirectly involved through data on gaps and barriers, potentially leading to increased demand or partnerships.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Straightforward reporting requirement with no enforcement mechanisms beyond submission to Congress; relies on existing statutory definitions to avoid new legal interpretations.
- Constitutional: No significant issues, as it involves executive branch reporting to the legislative branch, a common practice under Congress's oversight powers.
- Political: Highlights bipartisan support for veterans' issues (introduced by representatives from both parties); could influence future budgets or bills on family support, emphasizing affordability and access without mandating immediate spending.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]
Cosponsors (2)
Rep. Hinson, Ashley [R-IA-2], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]
Recent Actions
- 2025-11-17: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
- 2025-11-12: Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, 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.
- 2025-11-12: Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, 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.
- 2025-11-12: Introduced in House
- 2025-11-12: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Education to submit a report on the availability, accessibility, and affordability of childcare for veteran families. — issued 2025-11-12 — PDF (2 pages)