President Joe Biden’s Build Back Better Act (BBB), which is under consideration by the U.S. Senate, creates and funds new pre-kindergarten and childcare programs. Unfortunately, the bill’s requirements would limit the participation of religious child care providers.
Its hostility to religious programs is unprecedented in recent U.S. lawmaking. The BBB defines the grants for child care as federal financial assistance. This designation would require recipients to comply with requirements that would be contrary to the faith or beliefs of the child care provider.
Similarly, the BBB limits the use of funds for religious instruction. However, since many religious childcare programs weave their beliefs and values in every lesson, it has the effect of blocking religious programs from participating. And even existing at all, as they do now with government funds.
The Council for American Private Education (CAPE) urges WCRIS private school and child care program leaders to contact their U.S. representatives and senators to ensure that private schools are not excluded from the BBB.
WCRIS is the Wisconsin state CAPE chapter. Membership in WCRIS automatically includes membership in CAPE, which represents private schools in Washington, D.C.
