Niagara Leader

Congresswoman Claudia Tenney, along with Congressman Brad Schneider, has reintroduced the Promoting Affordable Childcare for Everyone (PACE) Act. The proposal aims to enhance existing federal childcare tax incentives, easing access to affordable, high-quality childcare for families across the United States.

The legislation intends to update the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit and improve Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (DCFSAs). It proposes making the credit refundable and introducing annual updates. Additionally, the amount of pre-tax dollars allocated to these accounts would increase from $5,000 to $7,500, with the new cap indexed to inflation.

Congresswoman Tenney expressed, "Hardworking families should not have to spend their entire paycheck on affordable, quality child care. The PACE Act supports working families and childcare professionals by increasing the Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts cap and expanding the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit to keep up with today's economy."

Congressman Schneider noted, "The cost of quality childcare has only gone up while the existing provisions in our tax code that help with these costs haven't been updated in decades...I'm proud to join Rep. Tenney send this lifeline to families struggling to afford care for their kids."

Sarah Rittling, Executive Director of FFYF, supported the reintroduction, stating, "The Promoting Affordable Childcare for Everyone (PACE) Act takes a significant step towards making care more affordable...This legislation is a direct investment in hardworking families who need support."

The PACE Act's reintroduction highlights efforts to align childcare support with modern economic challenges faced by families.