The parenthood tax: voters pay $13,000-a-year for childcare as Trump uses ‘fighting wars’ excuse: We can’t take care of daycare’
“Childcare is another rent, another car note," said Jenny Escolastico, an Air Force veteran in Allentown, Pa., who left the work force because of the math.
Childcare costs in the United States have risen faster than inflation from 2020 to 2024, with the average full-time childcare expense topping $13,000 in 2025, according to Child Care Aware of America. A majority of U.S. adults see childcare as a major problem and support federal government-provided free or low-cost childcare for young children.
In Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District, both Democratic nominee Bob Brooks and Republican incumbent Rep. Ryan Mackenzie are addressing childcare as part of their campaign platforms. Brooks supports universal prekindergarten, expanded full-day kindergarten, increased funding for Head Start, and expanded federal childcare assistance.
He cites the increasing cost of caring for loved ones as a concern. Mackenzie, on the other hand, favors tax breaks to reduce childcare expenses and cosponsored a bill to expand the federal tax credit for childcare expenses. Despite these efforts, President Trump has expressed skepticism about federal funding for childcare, stating that they are "fighting wars" and cannot afford daycare.
With childcare costs a top concern for parents, the midterm election may determine which party controls Congress.
Written by urgent.news from Fortune's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
