“We were dumbfounded, horrified, and enraged by the report that the Trump administration is considering defunding Head Start in its FY2026 budget proposal. It’s hard to think of a more counterproductive, harmful move than closing down a program that readies our youngest children to succeed in school and makes it possible for moms, parents, and guardians to go to work, support their families, contribute to their communities, and make our economy stronger.

“Head Start has been an extraordinary and unmitigated success. Launched in 1965 as a comprehensive child development program, Head Start is one of the most important social and educational investments in children, families, and communities our nation has ever made. Quite simply, parents can’t go to work unless children have a safe and enriching place to be, children need high quality early education to thrive, and for more than 60 years, Head Start has been that place for nearly 40 million children and their families. Today, it educates over 778,000 children, conducts nearly 4 million home visits, brings more than 570,000 children up to date on health screenings and treatments, and much more each year. Head Start has earned the strong bipartisan support it has enjoyed for decades – backing we will now rely on as we look to Congress to reject this reckless proposal.

“The fact that the Trump administration wants to make this and other devastating, short-sighted cuts to pay for tax breaks for Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and their billionaire cronies is outrageous.

“Moms will fight this proposal to the bitter end. We will hold every member of Congress who supports shuttering Head Start accountable because we know this program opens doors for parents to work, kids to thrive, and child care workers to stay in their profession – and businesses to have the workforce they need to succeed. We also know it costs more money in the long run to undercut our already insufficient child care systems, which studies show bring a high return on investment.  

“Our child care system is under enormous pressure. Child care costs more than college in 38 states and, at the same time, the child care workforce is grossly underpaid and many are leaving the profession for jobs that offer better pay. Instead of implementing the wildly unpopular conservative blueprint, Project 2025, by defunding Head Start, which would undercut parents, businesses, and our economy alike, President Trump should champion the urgently needed, overdue investments that would strengthen our country’s child care system.”