Legis Daily

Head Start Expansion and Improvement Act of 2026

USA119th CongressHR-9958| House 
| Updated: 7/27/2026
Jahana Hayes

Jahana Hayes

Democratic Representative

Connecticut

Cosponsors (22)
Jonathan L. Jackson (Democratic)Mark Pocan (Democratic)Christopher R. Deluzio (Democratic)Shontel M. Brown (Democratic)Greg Landsman (Democratic)Pablo Jose Hernández (Democratic)Frederica S. Wilson (Democratic)Shri Thanedar (Democratic)Nikki Budzinski (Democratic)Doris O. Matsui (Democratic)Raja Krishnamoorthi (Democratic)Adelita S. Grijalva (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Lateefah Simon (Democratic)Cleo Fields (Democratic)Yvette D. Clarke (Democratic)Seth Moulton (Democratic)Emily Randall (Democratic)Zoe Lofgren (Democratic)Jesús G. "Chuy" García (Democratic)Kevin Mullin (Democratic)Gwen Moore (Democratic)

Education and Workforce Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This legislation seeks to substantially expand and improve the Head Start program by increasing its financial authorization and broadening eligibility criteria. It redefines "public assistance" to include programs like SNAP, WIC, and SCHIP, making more families automatically eligible for Head Start services. Furthermore, the bill raises the family income threshold for eligibility from 100 percent to 138 percent of the poverty line , aiming to serve a greater number of children and families. To support these expansions, the bill authorizes a significant increase in appropriations for the Head Start Act, allocating $36 billion annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2032. It also establishes a new grant program for Head Start agencies to construct or improve facilities, prioritizing those built before 1970 or with hazardous conditions, with an authorization of $1 billion annually. To address workforce needs, the bill creates a loan forgiveness program for Head Start and Early Head Start childcare workers who complete three years of service and establishes a grant program to supplement employee salaries, considering local compensation gaps and cost of living.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-5815
Head Start Expansion and Improvement Act of 2023
Jul 27, 2026
Introduced in House
Jul 27, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-5815
    Head Start Expansion and Improvement Act of 2023


  • July 27, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • July 27, 2026
    Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Education

Related Bills

  • HR 118-5815: Head Start Expansion and Improvement Act of 2023

Head Start Expansion and Improvement Act of 2026

USA119th CongressHR-9958| House 
| Updated: 7/27/2026
This legislation seeks to substantially expand and improve the Head Start program by increasing its financial authorization and broadening eligibility criteria. It redefines "public assistance" to include programs like SNAP, WIC, and SCHIP, making more families automatically eligible for Head Start services. Furthermore, the bill raises the family income threshold for eligibility from 100 percent to 138 percent of the poverty line , aiming to serve a greater number of children and families. To support these expansions, the bill authorizes a significant increase in appropriations for the Head Start Act, allocating $36 billion annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2032. It also establishes a new grant program for Head Start agencies to construct or improve facilities, prioritizing those built before 1970 or with hazardous conditions, with an authorization of $1 billion annually. To address workforce needs, the bill creates a loan forgiveness program for Head Start and Early Head Start childcare workers who complete three years of service and establishes a grant program to supplement employee salaries, considering local compensation gaps and cost of living.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-5815
Head Start Expansion and Improvement Act of 2023
Jul 27, 2026
Introduced in House
Jul 27, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-5815
    Head Start Expansion and Improvement Act of 2023


  • July 27, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • July 27, 2026
    Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Jahana Hayes

Jahana Hayes

Democratic Representative

Connecticut

Cosponsors (22)
Jonathan L. Jackson (Democratic)Mark Pocan (Democratic)Christopher R. Deluzio (Democratic)Shontel M. Brown (Democratic)Greg Landsman (Democratic)Pablo Jose Hernández (Democratic)Frederica S. Wilson (Democratic)Shri Thanedar (Democratic)Nikki Budzinski (Democratic)Doris O. Matsui (Democratic)Raja Krishnamoorthi (Democratic)Adelita S. Grijalva (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Lateefah Simon (Democratic)Cleo Fields (Democratic)Yvette D. Clarke (Democratic)Seth Moulton (Democratic)Emily Randall (Democratic)Zoe Lofgren (Democratic)Jesús G. "Chuy" García (Democratic)Kevin Mullin (Democratic)Gwen Moore (Democratic)

Education and Workforce Committee

Education

Related Bills

  • HR 118-5815: Head Start Expansion and Improvement Act of 2023
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted