Judge Halts Trump Administration's Child Care Fund Freeze

Federal Judge Blocks Child Care Funding Freeze, Secures Aid for Families

In a crucial decision impacting working families across several states, a federal judge has halted the Trump administration's controversial attempt to block $10 billion in child care funding. This development ensures that essential financial support continues to reach those in need.

Earlier this year, the administration had frozen funds allocated for child care and family assistance programs, primarily affecting states governed by Democrats. The federal court's preliminary injunction serves as a significant triumph for AFSCME members and others who challenged the funding freeze in January. For more details on the lawsuit, visit here.

AFSCME President Lee Saunders celebrated the ruling, stating, "The court’s decision to block the administration’s illegal funding freeze is a major victory for providers, families and the children they serve.” He emphasized that AFSCME members are now better positioned to focus on enhancing child care services, without the looming threat of losing vital resources. “We’ll continue to fight the administration’s attempts to slash services for working families to pay for more tax cuts for its billionaire backers,” Saunders continued.

The ongoing lawsuit ensures that families and child care providers in California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota, and New York will continue to receive federal funding as authorized by Congress. The testimony provided by AFSCME members highlighted the dire consequences that would have ensued had the funding been cut. Child care centers faced potential closures, employees risked job loss, and working parents could have lost critical day care services. Read more about their contributions here.