H.R. 9824: Daycare Not Detentions Act of 2026

This bill would increase federal funding for several child care and early education programs, while cutting a large amount of money from certain immigration enforcement accounts.

What the bill would fund

The bill provides new federal money to the Administration for Children and Families at the Department of Health and Human Services for these programs:

• Child Care and Development Block Grants: $25.5 billion, available through fiscal year 2029.
• Child Care Entitlement to States: $20 billion, available through fiscal year 2029.
• Head Start: $24 billion, available through fiscal year 2029.
• Preschool Development Grants: $500 million, available through fiscal year 2029.

These funds would be used for the normal purposes of each program, such as helping states and providers pay for child care, supporting Head Start services, and supporting preschool-related grants.

What the bill would cut

The bill would rescind, or take back, $70 billion from money previously made available under the Secure America Act for U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, to the extent that those funds have not yet been obligated when the bill is enacted. In practical terms, this would reduce the amount of unused funding available for those agencies.

Net effect

Overall, the bill shifts federal resources away from immigration enforcement accounts and toward child care, Head Start, and preschool programs. The bill does not create a new program structure; it mainly changes funding levels for existing programs.

Relevant Companies

None found.